Carmelo Alfano joins forces with electronic music duo Sundae Club on “Is This You?”, an eclectic indie and alternative track shaped by electronic textures, vintage instrumentation and an interest in musical experimentation. The collaboration brings together musicians with decades of experience across performance, songwriting and production, resulting in a sound that moves beyond conventional genre boundaries while retaining a distinctive atmospheric quality.
For Alfano, the release is part of a musical journey shaped by unexpected opportunities, international connections and a determination to keep creating. With Sicilian family roots and an upbringing between Italian and English influences, he has built a varied career as a musician, actor and television sound engineer. His relationship with music began through his father, an accomplished amateur tenor and passionate opera enthusiast, who introduced him to the work of legendary singers such as Beniamino Gigli. That early influence eventually led Alfano to study voice in Modena, Italy, for two years with a teacher of Luciano Pavarotti.
His career has taken him through London’s live music scene, including performances with his band Alfano, which supported James Blunt and briefly shared his management. He also became involved in music technology at a time when online performance was still relatively new. More than 20 years ago, Alfano streamed a live gig from London using a dial-up service, an early experiment that attracted the attention of Sky News.
Sundae Club brings another distinctive musical history to the collaboration. Formed by Hamstall and producer George Shilling, the project grew out of a creative partnership built around vintage instruments, electronic experimentation and a shared appreciation for artists such as Lemon Jelly. Hamstall had previously played keyboards in Alfano’s band, and his connection with George began after the two met at an Elvis-themed fancy-dress party. What started as an informal opportunity to experiment in George’s home studio eventually developed into Sundae Club.
The duo’s music went on to feature on GMTV, while their work for television included music for ITV UEFA Champions League Weekly. They also secured a publishing deal with Taste Music and co-wrote a track for French artist Nolwenn Leroy’s album Histoires Naturelles, which sold around half a million copies. Their debut album, Technostalgia, featured “Angels In The Sky,” with vocals from Sam Holmes. Sundae Club continues to release occasional EPs through Bandcamp.
The collaboration on “Is This You?” brings these different musical experiences together. Its alternative electronic edge and characterful production reflect an approach that values atmosphere and experimentation, drawing on electronic textures and a broader mix of musical influences. The track offers an introduction to the creative connection between Alfano and Sundae Club, while giving listeners a sense of the varied musical backgrounds behind it.
Alfano’s career has also been shaped by persistence. In 1993, he sent a demo to Tom Jones, believing one of his songs would suit the singer. A decade later, he received a call from Mark Woodward, who had been trying to trace the original sender after a song from the cassette was considered for Jones. The contact details had been lost, turning what seemed like a forgotten submission into an unexpected connection years later.
That willingness to keep pursuing music has remained central to Alfano’s life, even through periods when family responsibilities temporarily brought his career to a halt. His experiences have taken him across different creative fields and introduced him to a wide range of artists, while his interest in music technology and independent creation continues to inform his work.
With “Is This You?”, Carmelo Alfano and Sundae Club bring their shared history and contrasting experiences into an adventurous indie and alternative collaboration.
Stream below:open.spotify.com/track/2GuF0pVwEHcH
Follow Carmelo Alfano:@carmelo_alfano