The Singing Voice That Caught DIO's Ear and Heart
An Interview with Gabby Roverano
Gabby Roverano is an Argentine mezzo-soprano singer
with a powerful range influenced by classic heavy metal, hard rock, and blues. She
received vocal and technical training at the age of fifteen, and her journey
across different stages and recording studios led her to front her own band,
Roverano, in 2017, using her surname with conviction as a way to affirm her
autonomy.
'I never had the intention of forming a band under my own surname. It came about through a series of circumstances, and even a musician friend suggested it to me. I had been in several bands as a vocalist performing my own material, but when those projects dissolved or problems arose among the members, it became complicated because I would lose autonomy over my material and my copyrights. Over time, I began to realize that, from my spiritual conviction, the legacy of music is the spiritual legacy of what one leaves behind. That is the place from which I stand before the audience, because that is how the band was conceived: it carries my surname, my identity, and a place earned through many years of work.'
'Initially, I was working with producer Martín Toledo, one of the producers of La Nave de Osberg and of Rata Blanca’s album La Llave de la Puerta Secreta. The plan was to produce me and release an album for Mexico. The project was cut short because of a series of conditions I did not accept. Then Toledo told me that all the compositional material was mine, and that I had spent a long time working on it. The material dated back to 2013, and honestly, I was not willing to go through situations where I would lose autonomy again. That is how Roverano came to be, under my own surname'.
Roverano was originally formed with Martín Lou on bass —her husband of ten years—, Hernán Bertrán on drums, whom she considers her best friend, and original guitarist Javier Durán. The current lineup also includes Gastón Peligro on lead guitar, Alejandro Aguirre on rhythm guitar, who also sings, and Fabián Lasswitz on keyboards.
Among her greatest influences are icons such as Ronnie James Dio, David Coverdale, Bruce Dickinson, and Rob Halford. However, her strongest influence is undoubtedly Ronnie James Dio:
'I come from the magic of that school, the school of DIO. The quality of the live shows was incredible. The records are amazing, but seeing that man perform live at that age was pure magic.'
'I took classes with different teachers, but once I was able to define my style and where I wanted to go, I began incorporating those tools in a more independent and self-taught way. I learned different vocal techniques —how to place the voice, when to use chest voice or head voice, and how to do it with a solid foundation— until, over the years, all of that became internalized and now comes to me quite intuitively. Much of my training came from getting up on stage, through live experience and different projects. For me, that was the best school, or at least the path I had to take.'
Gabby reflects on the band's musical identity and adds:
'There were several influences, especially in the newer songs from the second album and in the singles we released, all of which include some Nu Metal elements. There is also a bit of grunge and stoner, because as the band grew, each member began adding their own imprint to the music and the sound. Naturally, the compositional side also evolved. The lyrics are no longer as epic, and the song structure is not the same as it was at the beginning; it is more introspective. As for the songwriting process, we are exploring different situations, creating a fusion of Metal and Nu Metal. That would be Roverano's sound and identity.'
The band led by Gabby Roverano released
its first studio album, Anagnórisis, in 2018. It was followed by the
singles Hamartia in 2022, Hybris, and more recent productions
that incorporate the band's new influences and the evolving imprint brought by
each member.
Gabby Roverano received Ronnie James Dio’s endorsement as a vocalist in 2009 after listening to Gabby’s version of Heaven and Hell. The connection was magical, it meant a lot and validated Gabby’s place on stage, strengthening her confidence and conviction as the leader and vocalist for her own creation: Roverano.
Roverano will
perform live on Saturday, August 22, at Uniclub, joining iconic
former Rata Blanca members Gustavo Rowek, Sergio Berdichevsky, and Mario
Ian as a major supporting act. The
group is recognized for the album Entre
el Cielo y el Infierno. Doors
open at 7:30 p.m. at Guardia Vieja 3360, CABA, around
the corner from Abasto.
Roverano’s schedule promises plenty of activity, with several dates planned in venues with broad public reach. We'll keep you informed.
THANK YOU GABBY ROVERANO!
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