Biography - Mardi Gras

www.mardigrasmusic.it
[email protected]
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Biography
There will be music since there are stories to tell….
Mardi Gras are from Rome (Italy), but the band’s name comes from the last Creedence Clearwater Revival studio
album. Mardi Gras is even the famous New Orleans Carnival, a kaleidoscope of music, colours and vibes.
October 2012: Mardi Gras release "Feel Alright". Produced and arranged by the band itself the track is written by
Fabrizio Fontanelli (lyrics) and Alessandro Matilli (music). This is the first song under the new line up:
Claudia Loddo: vocals & acoustic guitar
Andrea Casini: bass
Alessandro Fiori: drums
Fabrizio Fontanelli: acoustic guitar
Alessandro Matilli: piano & keyboards
Paolo Strina: electric Guitar
October 2011: "Among the streams" is their first record released through Ermanno Labianca's label Route 61 Music,
the line up was Claudia McDowell (vocals), Alessandro Cicala (electric guitar), Alessandro Fiori (drums), Fabrizio
Fontanelli (acoustic guitar), Alessandro Matilli (piano & keyboards) and David Medina (bass). The band chose an half
irish vocalist to tell the stories included on the album, a record where the irish rock meets acoustic rock, alternative
country and Americana vibes ("Shine" is a tribute to June Carter Cash and received praise from the Carter Family)
prayers in music, piano ballads and much more. Brand new songs and songs written on the streets of Grafton Street
in Dublin create a unique blend. The album was then mastered in Nashville by Alex McCollough (Robert Plant, Nanci
Griffith, Steve Earle, Kris Kristofferson). Special Guest on the album is Liam O’Maonlai, of Hothouse Flowers fame
("Liam is the best white soul singer on the planet".Bono) he features on the track “Men improve with the
years”, a W.B.Yeats poem put to music by Mardi Gras. “Scarecrow in the snow” is currently on Neil Young's Songs
of the times, a list of anti-war and protest songs from artists all over the world. The website is Neil Young' s reaction
to the Bush Ban from Radio Play following the September 11th attacks. The record is acclaimed by the national
musical press, and enters the Annual Critic's Poll, while the first single “Song from the end of the world” enters the
national top 50 radio charts (fm and web radios).
September 2010: "For you 2", the second italian tribute to Bruce Springsteen music is released through Ermanno
Labianca label Route 61 Music. Mardi Gras features with a rendition of “Land of hope and dreams”. Also featured
on the double album are Chris Cavacas (Green on Red), JT Van Zandt and many more italian artists.
March 2010: “Song from the end of the world” aired by Italian radio stations as radio stations as well as European
indipendent and Us radio stations. Mardi Gras tour Italy having even supporting such acts as Glen Hansard & The
Frames, Micah P Hinson, Noah and the whale and Billy Bragg.
February 2006: Mardi Gras tour Italy as an acoustic duo and release their first album “Drops made" (Goodfellas
ditribution), the line up was Silvia “Six” Olivares (vocals & acoustic guitar), Alessandro Fiori (drums), Fabrizio
Fontanelli (acoustic guitar) and Davide Iacoangeli (double bass ). Most of the songs are aired by the American radio
network Live365 as well as European independent and Us radio stations. "The wait" deals with the Death Penalty
issue and was premiered during an Amnesty International conference and is also featured on Neil Young's Songs of
the times. The band were also invited to perform at the Auditorium in Rome for the "X Generation" showcase
promoted by one of the most important italian newspaper "La Repubblica". Mardi Gras tour Ireland with five shows
including headlining Whelans in Dublin) just a few months after their italian tour with The Frames (Glen Hansard,
"Once", Swell Season).
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August 2012, the new line up introduces:
Besides Alessandro Fiori, Fabrizio Fontanelli and Alessandro Matilli, Mardi Gras today are:
Claudia Loddo, singer, songwriter and musician. After studying for years at the “Accademia Nazionale di Danza di
Roma” decides to convey her creativity not only through dancing but also drawing, playing, writing and singing. She's
the former vocalist of Overlook Hotel band leaving in 2011. They have won numerous musical national awards such
as Giffoni Music Festival (Ed. Quote Rosa), Concorso dei Concorsi of Milano, and Fi.ESTA Rock. She also performs at
the MEI in Faenza (The Annual showcase of independent music) and has opened a concert of the "Orchestra di
Piazza Vittorio". Claudia attends a lot of national music labs hosted by the most important italian music journalists
and critics such as Franco Zanetti, Massimo Cotto, and the songwriter Bungaro. Since 2008 she's the actress and the
music composer of the piece "Studio per uno spettacolo divertente sull'anoressia" ( winner of the “Bando Ingiusto
2010”in Rome).
Andrea Casini, bass player, he starred" as a singer in the "Jesus Christ Superstar Musical” staged in Roma in the
2001. Bass Player in a "The Who" tribute band from 2003 to 2005. and in a "Queen" tribute band from 2006 to 2009.
Since 2007 he has also worked with some Music School in Rome. Since 2008 he also plays in Trio Basaglia ( jazz
standards) and has also performed in the "No B day" staged in Rome.
Paolo Strina, Electric Guitar. He has shared the stage with a lot of muscians and bluesmen through the years even
opening a date of Zucchero's world tour 2008 with his former band "Marcosbanda". He also performed at the May
1st Concert in Piazza San Giovanni in Rome as special guest of Sergio Castellitto (one of the most famous italian
actors). Since 2012 he plays in a Beatles Jazz tribute band “Three as a Beat”. He's endorsed by Guitar Works.
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Discography
Feel alright
Single, independent release
Copyright © SIAE 2012
1. Feel alright (Fontanelli/Matilli)
A reinassance song produced, arranged and performed by Mardi Gras. The track is written by Fabrizio Fontanelli
(lyrics) and Alessandro Matilli (music). This is the first song under the new line up: Claudia Loddo (vocals & acoustic
guitar), Andrea Casini (bass), Alessandro Fiori (drums), Fabrizio Fontanelli (acoustic guitar), Alessandro Matilli (piano
& keyboards) and Paolo Strina (electric guitar).
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Among the streams
Route 61 Music
Copyright © SIAE 2011
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Song from the end of the world (Fontanelli/Matilli)
Scarecrow in the snow (Fontanelli/Matilli)
Men improve with the years (W.B.Yeats/Fontanelli)
What comes what goes (Fontanelli/Matilli)
Sister i know (Fontanelli/Matilli)
Land of hope and dreams (B. Springsteen)
Shine (Fontanelli/Matilli)
Hard to believe (Fontanelli)
Ballad of love (Fontanelli)
Satellites and me (Fontanelli/Matilli)
Ten different songs, ten different journeys. In this album have played Claudia McDowell (vocals), Alessandro Cicala
(electric Guitar), Alessandro Fiori (drums), Fabrizio Fontanelli (acoustic guitar), Alessandro Matilli (piano &
keyboards) and David Medina (Bass). The songs talk about how we feel as a band among the streams within the
music spell. The first song of this album talks about the great power of love and it ends with an hymn to youthness.
On track #6, called "Land of Hope and dreams", we pay tribute to Bruce Springsteen, and on "Shine" to June Carter
Cash (Johnny Cash's wife). Liam O' Maonlai from Hothouse Flowers is the special guest on "Men Improve with the
Years”.
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Drops made
Goodfellas
Copyright © SIAE 2006
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Conversation (Fontanelli/Olivares)
Untitled (Olivares)
Home again (Fontanelli/Olivares)
High alive (Fontanelli/Olivares)
The wait (Fontanelli/Olivares)
Another day (Fontanelli/Olivares)
Conversation Alt.Vers. (Fontanelli/Olivares)
An out of focus record, a black and white landscape featuring six songs written by Silvia "Six" Olivares (vocals &
acoustic guitar) and Fabrizio Fontanelli (acoustic guitar). In this album have also played Alessandro Fiori (drums) and
Davide Iacoangeli (double bass). "The wait" is listed on Neil Young "songs of times" a special section of his website
where peace and protest songs are listed.
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Press
MUSIC ZOOM:
Reviewing "Among the streams": Everyhing is clean, deep and honest. Mardi gras just want to do good music, to be
listened to, steal a smile or drive a tear.Their sweet melodies and polished sounds cant leave you cold at all."Song
from the end of the world" and "Ballad of love" are two folk rock gems and their rendition of "Land of hope and
dreams" is the real surprise along with the duet with Liam O'Maonlai. My praises to the band, a band made of great
musical sensitivity".
HOT PRESS MAGAZINE (Debbie Shkow):
Mardi Gras are doing some interesting things, and seem to have the work ethic any band needs to
succed. They don’t mention any specific Irish dates, but from their sound they would be worth the
bus fare into town -if not quite the plane fare to Rome.
HOT PRESS MAGAZINE (Jackie Hayden):
You may have caught up with Mardi Gras from Italy when they joined The Frames for the Burn the maps tour. They re
a tasty acoustic act. with guitars, drums and an intriguing vocalist in Silvia Olivares. "Conversation" opens on the
"Knockin on Heaven's Door" riff, with Olivares quirky pronunciation adding to its charm. It's underpinned with a cute
organ, but it drags a bit. The acoustic bass is the most attractive aspect of "Untitled". "Home Again" is another
introspective song that benefits from the space they give the melody, and it has a nice open country feel. Good stuff
that repays a little patience.
SENTIRE ASCOLTARE:
Reviewing "drops made": Straightforward, beautiful melodies which, together with the geometry of double bassguitars-drums, recall Edie Brickell’s enchanting circular mid-tempos (Untitled), the acoustic Dave Matthews at the
dawn of his career (Conversation) or the sad solemnity of Gram Parsons revisited by Sodastream.
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Live
2012-03-14 Locanda Atlantide (Roma) supportin’ Paolo Benvegnù
2012-02-18 I-Think (Roma)
2011-12-07 Stazione Birra (Roma)
2011-09-22 Walla Walla Live (Roma)
2011-07-30 Rock City Festival (Roma) supportin’ Belladonna
2011-07-29 Kinsale Village Ami Festival (Roma) supportin’ Kay McCarthy
2011-05-28 Abbey Road (Formello, Roma)
2011-05-26 Traffic Live Club (Roma)
2011-05-11 Circolo degli Artisti (Roma) supportin’ Billy Bragg
2011-03-17 Walla Walla Live St Patrick Night (Roma)
2010-11-21 Beba do Samba (Roma)
2010-09-25 Glory Days Rockisland (Rimini)
2010-07-17 Note Tempo Village (Roma)
2010-07-01 Circolo degli Artisti (Roma)
2010-06-02 Walla Walla (Roma)
2010-04-10 Beba do Samba (Roma)
2010-03-17 Walla Walla Live St Patrick Night (Roma)
2009-11-06 Stazione Birra (Morena, Roma)
2009-10-23 Foollyk (Roma)
2009-10-16 Zena (Campagna, Salerno)
2009-10-09 Beba do Samba (Roma)
2009-09-20 Note Tempo Village (Roma)
2009-09-10 Felt (Roma)
2009-04-04 56th Street (Roma)
2009-03-19 Circolo degli Artisti (Roma) supportin’ Noah and the Whale
2009-03-08 Auditorium Parco della Musica (Roma)
2008-12-10 Stazione Birra (Morena, Roma)
2008-11-27 Auditorium Tor Vergata (Roma)
2008-10-17 Contestaccio (Roma)
2008-07-24 Vudstock in Sabina Festival (Rieti)
2008-07-19 Festa dell’Unità (Roma)
2008-07-10 Estate alla Sapienza (Roma)
2008-05-23 Dada Music Club Alatri (Frosinone)
2008-05-02 Sinister Noise (Roma)
2008-04-12 Alice nella città Castelleone (Cremona)
2008-04-11 Primo piano caffè Fidenza (Parma)
2008-03-29 Il Cantiere (Roma)
2008-03-22 Dada Music Club Alatri (Frosinone)
2008-03-06 Live Aid Kenya Classico Village (Roma)
2008-02-23 Basquait (Fermo, Ascoli Piceno)
2008-02-22 Soms (Corridonia, Macerata)
2008-02-21 Fuzz (Pesaro)
2008-02-08 Mosaico (Benevento)
2008-02-07 Jailbreak (Roma)
2008-02-01 Cantieri Musicali (Vetralla, Viterbo)
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2007-10-11 Circolo degli Artisti (Roma) supportin’ Micah P Hinson
2007-03-18 Ex mattatoio (Aprilia, Roma)
2006-12-10 Traffic (Roma) supportin’ Giorgio Canali & Rosso Fuoco
2006-06-09 Trinity Rooms (Limerick, Ireland)
2006-06-08 The stables, (Mullingar, Ireland)
2006-06-07 Ryan's (Kilkenny, Ireland)
2006-06-05 Whelan's (Dublin, Ireland)
2006-06-04 The Cellar (Galway, Ireland)
2006-05-20 Piazza Navona (Roma)
2006-05-06 Circolo degli Artisti (Roma)
2006-04-29 Druids Rock (Roma)
2006-04-07 Traffic (Roma) supportin’ TKO
2006-03-26 La Limonaia (Fucecchio, Firenze)
2006-03-25 Corallo (Scandiano, Reggio Emilia)
2006-03-16 Rashomon (Roma) with The Niro and Circulus
2006-02-26 Jailbreak (Roma)
2006-02-04 Live and Blues (Fiano Romano, Roma)
2006-01-28 Druids Rock (Roma)
2006-01-21 Red House (Aquino, Frosinone)
2006-01-20 Traffic (Roma)
2005-12-16 Traffic (Roma)
2005-12-23 Lettere Caffè (Roma)
2005-04-23 Sonica (Roma)
2005-04-16 Tempo Rock (Reggio Emilia) supportin’ The Frames
2005-04-15 Jailbreak (Roma) supportin’ The Frames
2005-02-25 Il Cantiere (Roma)
2003-12-19 Il Cantiere (Roma)
2003-11-22 Stay Free (Roma)
2003-03-20 Leoncavallo (Milano)
2002-07-20 Mei Sun Indies Festival The Barge (Rimini)
2002-06-22 Festa europea della musica Il falco e la leonessa (Roma)
2002-01-18 Jailbreak (Roma)
2002-01-17 Alpheus (Roma)
2002-01-16 Il locale (Roma)
2001-12-19 Libera..mente (Roma)
2001-09-09 Meeting Samigo (Asti)
2001-09-08 Meeting Samigo (Asti)
2001-05-07 Circolo Vizioso (Roma)
2000-06-11 Foolyk (Roma)
2000-05-27 Melvyn’s (Roma)
2000-05-18 Hit (Roma)
2000-02-17 Kaos Club (Roma)
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Claudia Loddo: vocals & acoustic guitar
Andrea Casini: bass
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Alessandro Fiori: drums
Fabrizio Fontanelli: acoustic guitar
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Alessandro Matilli: piano & keyboards
Paolo Strina: electric guitar
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Contacts
www.mardigrasmusic.it
[email protected]
www.facebook.com/mardigrasband
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