For Marcello, Psyché is his project where everything comes together. After decades immersed in jazz, Balkan rhythms, Mediterranean melodies and psychedelic rock, he has developed a sound that draws inspiration from cultures around the world without ever trying to imitate them. Every influence is filtered through his own musical identity, creating a hypnotic blend of improvisation, groove and psychedelic exploration. We spoke with Marcello about the meaning behind Psyché, why originality matters more than authenticity, and how listening deeply has shaped his journey as a musician.
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Introduction
What does the name ‘Psyché’ mean?
“Psyché” comes from the Greek word psyche, which means soul. I actually discovered that the word psychedelic shares the same Greek root, and I found that connection fascinating. The word itself has many meanings, it can refer to the soul, the spirit, even a journey. I loved how rich it is, and it perfectly reflects what I want this project to be about. Rather than naming the band after psychedelic music itself, I wanted to go back to the origin of the word: the soul.
How would you describe your music to someone who’s never heard you before?
I see myself first and foremost as a world musician. Psyché is psychedelic, but it’s also deeply rooted in jazz improvisation. My background is in jazz and jazz-rock, and that freedom to improvise is at the heart of everything we do. I like radical improvisation without boundaries. Over the years I’ve immersed myself in Mediterranean, Arabic and many other musical traditions. Instead of treating them as separate styles, I let them naturally come together in the music.
What stories do your songs tell?
Rather than telling one specific story, every composition feels like travelling to a different place. When I’m writing, I sometimes imagine myself in Mexico. The next piece might take me to Colombia, Tunisia or Turkey. Each song carries the atmosphere of somewhere else without trying to imitate it literally. The music is inspired by many cultures, that’s why I prefer calling it world music.
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Roots
How has your musical identity been shaped by your background?
Everything I’ve experienced over more than twenty years of making music comes together in this project. I spent many years playing jazz, where improvisation became second nature. At the same time, I played Balkan and Mediterranean music for many years, and those traditions shaped my musical vocabulary just as much. Psyché feels like the point where all those experiences finally meet. Today I know exactly where I want to go musically, and this project gives me the freedom to bring everything together.
Where do you draw your inspiration from?
I’m constantly listening to music from all over the world. Whenever I discover a tradition that fascinates me, I dive into it completely. For example, my interest in Indian music started through the Mahavishnu Orchestra and Shakti. From there I began exploring traditional Indian music itself. The same happened with Turkish music. I became fascinated by bands like Altın Gün, listened to them endlessly, and eventually even invited Merve (formerly Altin Gün) to collaborate on my latest record. That’s how I work. I discover a sound, study it deeply, and let it become part of my own musical language.
Do you consciously integrate traditional instruments in your music?
Not directly. Instead of using traditional instruments themselves, I often try to make my guitar sound like them. For example, I listen carefully to instruments like the bağlama and study the way they use quarter tones and phrasing. Then I try to recreate that feeling on guitar. I actually own some traditional instruments, but I rarely use them because I don’t feel they’re truly mine. Those instruments belong to other cultures, and I don’t want to pretend to be something I’m not. I’d rather respect those traditions by listening carefully and creating my own interpretation than simply copying them.
What does ‘fusion’ mean to you personally?
I actually prefer the word crossover over fusion. To me, fusion is often associated with jazz-rock, while crossover feels much broader. It’s about bringing together musical worlds that don’t necessarily belong together at first glance and letting something new emerge. That’s exactly what I try to do with Psyché.
Live
What do you want people to feel during your live shows?
Above everything else, I want people to feel the groove. When we perform, I think about trance-like music where the rhythm never loses its momentum. Even when we’re improvising, the groove should always stay alive. Some people will dance, others will stand still and listen closely to what’s happening between the musicians, but everyone should feel connected to that pulse. Being from Southern Italy, groove is part of who we are. Playing with Nu Genea has shown me how audiences across Europe immediately connect with that energy, even if they’ve never heard the music before. That’s exactly the feeling I want to bring to every Psyché show.
What live moment stands you’ll never forget?
One of my favourite memories with Psyché is our show in Rome. It was one of those evenings where everything came together. The audience immediately connected with the music, and there was a real sense of freedom on stage. Because our music is built around improvisation, every performance can take a different direction, and that night everything flowed naturally. Those are the concerts I remember most—not because they’re the biggest, but because the connection between the band and the audience feels completely effortless. When people lose themselves in the groove and become part of the journey, that’s when a Psyché show feels truly special.
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Inspires
What’s next for Psyché?
My biggest goal is simple: play more shows. At the moment, balancing Psyché with touring as a guitarist for Nu Genea isn’t always easy, but I really want to focus on growing this project throughout Europe. Interestingly, most of our listeners are outside Italy. That tells me there’s an audience waiting in countries like the Netherlands, Spain and Turkey, and I’d love to spend much more time touring there. I’m already speaking with promoters in several countries, and I hope the coming year will be the moment when Psyché reaches many more stages across Europe. I truly believe this music deserves to be experienced live.