Fabrizio Moretti

Since picking up sticks at age five in a soundproofed Midtown Manhattan closet, Fabrizio Moretti has navigated a career spanning global rock stages and experimental visual art. Born in Rio de Janeiro in 1980, the percussionist maintains citizenship in Brazil, Italy, and the United States, utilizing this international perspective to anchor diverse musical projects and interdisciplinary gallery installations.

The Strokes and Percussive Evolution

Moretti first gained widespread recognition as the drummer for The Strokes, a band formed in New York City in 1998 with classmates Julian Casablancas and Nick Valensi. Following their 2001 debut EP, The Modern Age, the group secured an RCA Records deal. Over six full-length LPs, including Is This It and The New Abnormal, Moretti developed a clean, driving aesthetic. He intentionally simplified his setup to a four-piece kit, moving away from his early, high-energy habit of breaking sticks toward a precise, industrial-influenced sound that persists in their later work through Cult Records.

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Collaborative Projects: Little Joy and Machinegum

Beyond his primary band, Moretti expanded his output through various collective efforts. In 2007, he formed Little Joy, a Los Angeles-based trio with Rodrigo Amarante and Binki Shapiro, which released a self-titled record in 2008. This project serves as a bridge between his musical and visual interests, as the group frequently combines recorded albums, such as their 2019 debut Conduit, with curated gallery installations.

Interdisciplinary Work

Moretti identifies as both a musician and a visual artist, often blending these fields. His artistic career includes sculpture, drawing, and installation projects. In 2012, he initiated the FUZLAB collaboration with French cartoonist Luz, with whom he later shared a studio in Paris. His visual contributions extend to the fashion industry and conceptual art, including a 2013 installation for Rag + Bone and a track contribution to Sophie Calle’s 2018 project, Souris Calle. These endeavors reflect a consistent effort to merge auditory performance with physical media.

Session Work and Professional Reach

Throughout his tenure, Moretti has maintained a high volume of session work across genres. He has collaborated with artists including Devendra Banhart, Kesha, and Nation of Language. His performance history includes serving as a guest drummer for The 8G Band on Late Night with Seth Meyers in 2016 and 2023, and contributing remixes for bands such as Spoon. Additionally, he participated in the 2016 Play it Forward campaign, covering Eagles of Death Metal alongside Beck and Valensi to support victims of the 2015 Paris attacks.