We interviewed Alfredo Bruno, also known as Fiat 131, a name chosen as a tribute to his grandfather’s car. He told us about the memories associated with the car, the most intense journeys on four wheels and his musical idols
We interviewed Alfredo Brunoin art Fiat 131, a name that pays homage to his grandfather’s car and the childhood memories associated with it. The singer-songwriter, originally from Calabria, now lives outside of Rome and is inspired by the greats of Italian music such as Lucio Dalla and Pino Daniele. In this chat he told us what car he drives and what the most beautiful drive he had after the experience at the Sanremo Festival 2022.
Alfredo, why did you choose Fiat 131 as your stage name?
“It came from my first musical memory and my grandfather’s Fiat 131: it was his favorite car. My passion for music was born in this car: my parents listened to cassettes by Branduardi, Lucio Dalla and Pino Daniele. As I was thinking about my music project the light bulb went on and I chose Fiat 131 as the name and thought back to the emotions I experienced in that car. My four cousins and I took our first girlfriends there: it was the place of the first kisses and first songs”.
Did you get your driver’s license with this car?
”No, maybe! I was born in 1993 and the Fiat 131 stopped being produced around 1987, if I remember correctly. The car was already outdated, it had been in the garage for six to seven years, my grandfather too “I knew “Not that he wanted to get rid of it. It stayed there like an heirloom. I got my driver’s license in 2010.”
What was your first car?
”A Fiat 600. It was my sister’s poor wife’s car – he laughs. I’m dad’s son and he bought me a car for my 18th birthday because I was on the road a lot, I was already working. In the first month However, I had six accidents on my license, the only ones in my life, and so he thought it best to keep it.
Which driver are you today and which car do you use?
“I like driving, I do it out of necessity and for fun. I have a Ford Fiesta. I often use it to travel from the province where I live to Rome. Let’s say I live in the car.”
What music do you listen to while driving?
”Pino Daniele again. When I grew up, I got to know Italian singer-songwriters well. In the Fiat 131 there were cassettes with Luna Matana by Lucio Dalla and Nero a Mezzo by Pino, one of his most beautiful albums. Today I listen to contemporary music , but still the songwriting of the 70s, I like to be influenced by those sounds that shaped our music.
Is there a trip that has stayed in your heart?
“Yes, the return from Sanremo to Rome in 2022. I had a terrible experience on the Ariston stage, not because of the festival itself, but because I got up a few days before the performance with a tooth abscess. I was swollen like a bagpipe. Even with cortisone it didn’t go away. I have to thank and compliment the makeup artists who managed to hide everything. As soon as Sanremo is over, we celebrate and the abscess disappears. Then we got in the car and I remember reacting to comments and those who commented on my performance. It was exciting.”
And what was the most traumatic trip?
“Once it took me 14 hours to get from Milan to Rome. I was with a colleague, I was driving. We spent an evening at Blue Note in Milan. As soon as we left we found an accident and then two more: we stayed. Stopped for four and a half hours in a tunnel on the Bologna-Florence route. A nightmare.”
Do you have a dream car?
“I would like to buy a Fiat 131. I’m thinking about it. I’ve already looked at the various pages to get an idea. I found many, but not the one in Grandpa Alfredo’s color, it was sugar paper blue.” . At the time this model was released they were sold in three colors: lobster red, which was a bit inappropriate, banana yellow and baby blue.
Do you remember what the interior looked like?
”In light brown leather. The Fiat 131 was beautiful because it had a spacious interior. I was short but could fit in the back while standing. I would like to buy one and then leave it in the garden. I know it would bring joy and To release serenity and make me a child again.”
October 29th – 2:56 p.m
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