Biography - Mardi Gras

Transcript

Biography - Mardi Gras
www.mardigrasmusic.it
[email protected]
Mardi Gras press kit 1/11
Biography
Claudia Loddo: vocals & acoustic guitar
Carlo Di Tore Tosti: bass
Fabrizio Fontanelli: acoustic guitar
Alessandro Matilli: piano & keyboards
Walter Palombi: drums
Simone Sammarone: electric guitar
There will be music since there are stories to tell...
Rome based Mardi Gras is a rock act with a difference. Named after Creedence Clearwater Revival's last studio
album, the band's musical journey is one made up of protest songs, poetry, prayers set to music, and a whole lot
more. Their third album Playground (2015) is out now, a Et-Team production for Aereostella/Fermenti
Vivi label, a record where ballads, rock, funky and intimistic piece of music are the playground for the band with
all their influence both musical and literary. Mundy one of the greatest irish songwriters is guesting on the
album. The album was mastered at Abbey Road Studios in London by Simon Gibson (The Beatles, Keane,
U2, Robbie Williams, The King's Speech). As regular visitors to Ireland, the band has forged long standing
connections with some of the best Irish musicians, playing as the support act for The Frames (Glen Hansard)
and sharing the stage with artists such as Mundy, Siobhan O' Brien, TKO, Micah P Hinson, Noah and the
Whale, Billy Bragg, Jack Savoretti and the best italian independent acts to name a few. Liam O'Maonlai of
Hothouse Flowers features on their Among the Stream album on a W.B Yeats poetry put to music. Two of
Mardi Gras songs "The wait" and "Scarecrow in the snow" are currently on Neil Young's Website "Songs of the
Times" where protests songs all over the world are chosen and listed by Neil Young Online, the band has also
enjoyed great success, attracting attention internationally on European and US based radio stations and
becoming one of the most popular Italian acts with a constantly growing fanbase. Mardi Gras albums Drops
made (2006, Goodfellas) and Among the Streams (2011, Route 61 Music) were a very welcome offering from a
band that is a real treat for the ears. Mardi Gras latest release as a singles were "Feel Alright", "Your
constellation" (tracks who did chart in Italy), and "Alys" a soundtrack for the epynomous Italian Sci-Fi short
movie (CSC Production). On August 2013 Mardi Gras played with the best Italian acts at the Sziget Festival in
Budapest.
March 2015: “Playground” is their third record released through Aereostella/Fermenti Vivi label, 14 sonic
chapters in the band's playground. Written, arranged and performed by: Claudia Loddo (vocals), Andrea Casini
(bass), Fabrizio Fontanelli (acoustic guitar), Mauro Lopez (drums), Alessandro Matilli (piano & keyboards),
Simone Sammarone (electric guitar). A record with even literary references: The Book of Kells, John Fante,
Stevenson and the DC Comics; a bittersweet album mastered at Abbey Road Studios in London by Simon
Gibson (The Beatles, U2, Keane, Robbie Williams, The Kings' Speech, Harry Potter). Special guest: is Mundy,
one of the finest and best known Irish Songwriters. Other guests: Emanuele Cefali (electric guitar) and Danilo
Filippino (drums) on "Are we ready for the sun?" and “Alys”.
September 2013: Alys, ispired and composed for the "Alys" short film by Sante Sabbatini CSC Productions
(Centro Sperimentale di Cinematografia, Roma), it's Mardi Gras first original soundtrack. Produced, arranged
and performed by Mardi Gras this is the fourth song under the 2013 line up: Claudia Loddo (vocals & acoustic
guitar), Andrea Casini (bass), Emanuele Cefali (electric guitar), Danilo Filippino (drums), Fabrizio Fontanelli
(acoustic guitar) and Alessandro Matilli (piano).
May 2013: "Are we ready for the sun?" is Mardi Gras green anthem, the rockiest tune they ever performed.
You can even hear an excerpt of the Severn Cullis Suzuki speech at the UN conference back in 1992 when the
activist was only 12, asking for a better world and action to save our world. Severn Cullis Suzuki is the "Girl who
Mardi Gras press kit 2/11
silenced the world for 5 minutes" since then. Produced, arranged and performed by Mardi Gras. This is the third
song under the 203 line up: Claudia Loddo (vocals & acoustic guitar), Andrea Casini (bass), Emanuele Cefali
(electric guitar), Danilo Filippino (drums), Fabrizio Fontanelli (acoustic guitar) and Alessandro Matilli (keyboards
& synthezisers).
November 2012: Your constellation, a déjà vu song produced, arranged and performed by Mardi Gras. The
track is written by Claudia Loddo and Fabrizio Fontanelli (lyrics) and Alessandro Matilli (music). This is the
second song under the 2012 line up: Claudia Loddo (vocals & acoustic guitar), Andrea Casini (bass), Alessandro
Fiori (drums), Fabrizio Fontanelli (acoustic guitar), Alessandro Matilli (electric piano & synthesizer) and Paolo
Strina (electric guitar). The song is included in the cd next volume 2 Hit Mania 2013 (Universo/Universal).
October 2012: Feel Alright, 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). The song is
included in the cd next volume 2 Hit Mania 2013 (Universo/Universal).
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).
Mardi Gras press kit 3/11
Discography
Playground
Aereostella - 2015
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
I say yes (Fontanelli/Matilli)
Never (Fontanelli/Loddo)
Road song (Fontanelli/Matilli)
I have a dream (Fontanelli/Matilli/Sammarone)
Painlover (Fontanelli/Matilli/Sammarone)
Another place (Loddo)
Before I die (Fontanelli/Matilli)
Sarah and the three roses (Fontanelli/Sammarone)
Mine (Loddo/Matilli)
Are we ready for the sun? (Loddo)
Snakes and bones (Fontanelli)
Alys (Fontanelli/Matilli)
Superfriends (Fontanelli/Matilli)
Kiss the night (Fontanelli/Matilli/Sammarone)
There is an open space where children can play freely and where the adults can return for a while to the days of
their youth, living once again the flavours and colors of the most beautiful and precious memories. In English,
“play” has got a double meaning and we wanted to emphasize this. Written, arranged and performed by: Claudia
Loddo (vocals), Andrea Casini (bass), Fabrizio Fontanelli (acoustic guitar), Mauro Lopez (drums), Alessandro
Matilli (piano & keyboards), Simone Sammarone (electric guitar); Other guests: Emanuele Cefali (electric Guitar)
and Danilo Filippino (drums) on "Are we ready for the sun?" and “Alys”. Featuring Mundy in “Road song”, one
of the finest and best known Irish Songwriters.
Mardi Gras press kit 4/11
Alys
(Fontanelli/Matilli)
Single independent release - 2013
Ispired and composed for the "Alys" short film by Sante Sabbatini CSC Productions (Centro Sperimentale di
Cinematografia, Roma), it's Mardi Gras first original soundtrack. Produced, arranged and performed by Mardi
Gras this is the fourth song under the 2013 line up: Claudia Loddo (vocals & acoustic guitar), Andrea Casini
(bass), Emanuele Cefali (electricguitar), Danilo Filippino (drums), Fabrizio Fontanelli (acoustic guitar) and
Alessandro Matilli (piano).
Are we ready for the sun?
(Loddo)
Single independent release - 2013
"Are we ready for the sun?" is Mardi Gras green anthem, the rockiest tune they ever performed. You can even
hear an excerpt of the Severn Cullis Suzuki speech at the UN conference back in 1992 when the activist was
only 12, asking for a better world and action to save our world. Severn Cullis Suzuki is the "Girl who silenced
the world for 5 minutes" since then. Produced, arranged and performed by Mardi Gras. This is the third song
under the 203 line up: Claudia Loddo (vocals & acoustic guitar), Andrea Casini (bass), Emanuele Cefali (electric
guitar), Danilo Filippino (drums), Fabrizio Fontanelli (acoustic guitar) and Alessandro Matilli (keyboards &
synthezisers).
Mardi Gras press kit 5/11
Your constellation
(Fontanelli/Loddo/Matilli)
Single - Hit Mania 2013 Cd Next Vol. 2 – Universo/Universal - 2012
A déjà vu song produced, arranged and performed by Mardi Gras. The track is written by Claudia Loddo and
Fabrizio Fontanelli (lyrics) and Alessandro Matilli (music). This is the second song under the 2012 line up:
Claudia Loddo (vocals & acoustic guitar), Andrea Casini (bass), Alessandro Fiori (drums), Fabrizio Fontanelli
(acoustic guitar), Alessandro Matilli (electric piano & synthesizer) and Paolo Strina (electric guitar). Artwork:
Chiara Arnone. The song is included in the cd next volume 2 Hit Mania 2013 (Universo/Universal).
Feel alright
(Fontanelli/Matilli)
Single - Hit Mania 2013 Cd Next Vol. 2 – Universo/Universal - 2012
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). The song is included in the cd next
volume 2 Hit Mania 2013 (Universo/Universal).
Mardi Gras press kit 6/11
Among the streams
Route 61 Music - 2011
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
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”
Drops made
Goodfellas - 2006
1. Conversation (Fontanelli/Olivares)
2. Untitled (Olivares)
Mardi Gras press kit 7/11
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Home again (Fontanelli/Olivares)
High alive (Fontanelli/Olivares)
The wait (Fontanelli/Olivares)
Another day (Fontanelli/Olivares)
Conversation Alt. Ver. (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.
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
bass-guitars-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.
Live
25-03-2016 Wishlist Club (Roma)
27-02-2016 David Bowie Tribute Night (Roma) Ac. Live
19-02-2016 Ombre Rosse (Roma) Ac. Live
Mardi Gras press kit 8/11
12-02-2016 Contestaccio (Roma)
17-01-2016 Ombre Rosse (Roma) Ac. Live
14-12-2015 Light of day (Roma) Ac. Live
27-11-2015 Constestaccio (Roma)
23-10-2015 Locanda Atlantide (Roma)
24-05-2015 The Mercantile (Dublin, Ireland) Acoustic Live
23-05-2015 Crane Lane (Cork, Ireland)
22-05-2015 The Mariner (Bantry, Ireland)
21-05-2015 Boyles of Slane (Slane, Ireland) Acoustic Live
06-02-2015 MEI Caput Indie (Roma) Acoustic Live
06-12-2014 Wishlist Club (Roma)
08-11-2014 Auditorium supportin’ Jack Savoretti (Roma) Acoustic Live
23-06-2014 Wishlist Club supportin’ Mundy (Roma) Acoustic Live
28-04-2014 Teatro L’Arciliuto (Roma) Acoustic Live
28-03-2014 La bottega degli Scapigliati (Roma) Acoustic Live
12-02-2014 2Enne (Roma) Acoustic live
07-02-2014 Depero Club (Rieti) Acoustic live
15-01-2014 Circolo degli Artisti (Roma)
06-12-2013 Il Teatro del Gusto (Roma) Acoustic Live
29-11-2013 Locanda Atlantide (Roma)
10-11-2013 Beba Do Samba (Roma) Acoustic Live
08-11-2013 L’Officina (Giulianova, Teramo) Acoustic Live
31-10-2013 N’importe Quoi - Senza filtro (Roma) Acoustic Live
21-09-2013 Visiva - La città dell’Immagine (Roma)
05-08-2013 Sziget Festival (Budapest, Hungary)
24-05-2013 Fusolab (Roma)
08-03-2013 Circolo degli Artisti (Roma)
21-12-2012 Dimmidisi Club (Roma)
14-12-2012 Teatro Spazio 47 (Aprilia, Roma)
14-03-2012 Loc. Atlantide supportin’ Paolo Benvegnù (Roma) Acoustic Live
12-02-2012 I-Think (Roma) Acoustic Live
07-12-2011 Stazione Birra (Roma)
22-09-2011 Walla Walla Live (Roma)
30-07-2011 Rock City Festival supportin’ Belladonna (Roma)
29-07-2011 Kinsale Village Ami supportin’ Kay McCarthy (Roma)
25-05-2011 Abbey Road (Formello, Roma)
26-05-2011 Traffic Live Club (Roma)
11-05-2011 Circolo degli Artisti supportin’ Billy Bragg (Roma)
17-03-2011 Walla Walla Live St Patrick Night (Roma)
21-11-2010 Beba Do Samba (Roma)
25-09-2010 Glory Days Rockisland (Rimini)
17-07-2010 Note Tempo Village (Roma)
01-07-2010 Circolo degli Artisti (Roma)
02-06-2010 Walla Walla (Roma)
10-04-2010 Beba do Samba (Roma)
17-03-2010 Walla Walla Live St Patrick Night (Roma)
Mardi Gras press kit 9/11
06-11-2009 Stazione Birra (Roma)
23-10-2009 Foollyk (Roma)
16-10-2009 Zena (Campagna, Salerno)
09-10-2009 Beba do Samba (Roma)
20-09-2009 Note Tempo Village (Roma)
10-09-2009 Felt (Roma)
04-04-2009 56th Street (Roma)
19-03-2009 Circolo degli Artisti supportin’ Noah and the Whale (Roma)
08-03-2009 Auditorium Parco della Musica (Roma)
10-12-2008 Stazione Birra (Roma)
27-11-2008 Auditorium Tor Vergata (Roma)
17-10-2008 Contestaccio (Roma)
24-07-2008 Woodstock in Sabina Festival (Rieti)
19-07-2008 Festa de l’Unità (Roma)
10-04-2008 Estate alla Sapienza (Roma)
23-05-2008 Dada Music Club (Alatri, Frosinone)
02-05-2008 Sinister Noise (Roma)
12-04-2008 Alice nella città (Castelleone, Cremona)
11-04-2008 Primo piano caffè (Fidenza, Parma)
29-03-2008 Il Cantiere (Roma)
22-03-2008 Dada Music Club Alatri (Frosinone)
06-03-2008 Live Aid Kenya Classico Village (Roma)
23-02-2008 Basquiat (Fermo, Ascoli Piceno)
22-02-2008 Soms (Corridonia, Macerata)
21-02-2008 Fuzz (Pesaro)
08-02-2008 Mosaico (Benevento)
07-02-2008 Jailbreak (Roma)
01-02-2008 Cantieri Musicali (Vetralla, Viterbo)
11-10-2007 Circolo degli Artisti supportin’ Micah P Hinson (Roma)
18-03-2007 Ex mattatoio (Aprilia, Roma)
10-12-2006 Traffic supportin’ Giorgio Canali & Rosso Fuoco (Roma)
09-06-2006 Trinity Rooms (Limerick, Ireland)
08-06-2006 The stables, (Mullingar, Ireland)
07-06-2006 Ryan's (Kilkenny, Ireland)
05-06-2006 Whelan's (Dublin, Ireland)
04-06-2006 The Cellar (Galway, Ireland)
20-05-2006 Piazza Navona (Roma)
06-05-2006 Circolo degli Artisti (Roma)
29-04-2006 Druids Rock (Roma)
07-04-2006 Traffic supportin’ TKO (Roma)
26-03-2006 La Limonaia (Fucecchio, Firenze)
25-03-2006 Corallo (Scandiano, Reggio Emilia)
16-03-2006 Rashomon with The Niro and Circulus (Roma)
26-02-2006 Jailbreak (Roma)
04-02-2006 Live and Blues (Fiano Romano, Roma)
28-01-2006 Druids Rock (Roma)
21-01-2006 Red House (Aquino, Frosinone)
20-01-2006 Traffic (Roma)
23-12-2005 Traffic (Roma)
16-12-2005 Lettere Caffè (Roma)
23-04-2005 Sonica (Roma)
16-04-2005 Tempo Rock supportin’ The Frames (Reggio Emilia)
Mardi Gras press kit 10/11
15-04-2005 Jailbreak supportin’ The Frames (Roma)
25-02-2005 Il Cantiere (Roma)
19-12-2003 Il Cantiere (Roma)
22-11-2003 Stay Free (Roma)
20-03-2003 Leoncavallo (Milano)
20-07-2002 Mei Sun Indies Festival The Barge (Rimini)
22-06-2002 Festa europea della musica Il falco e la leonessa (Roma)
18-01-2002 Jailbreak (Roma)
17-01-2002 Alpheus (Roma)
16-01-2002 Il locale (Roma)
19-12-2001 Libera…mente (Roma)
09-09-2001 Meeting Samigo (Asti)
08-09-2001 Meeting Samigo (Asti)
07-05-2001 Circolo Vizioso (Roma)
11-06-2000 Foollyk (Roma)
27-05-2000 Melvyn’s (Roma)
18-05-2000 Hit (Roma)
17-02-2000 Kaos Club (Roma)
Video
Mardi Gras - I say yes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=caZm5ePmle0
Mardi Gras – Road song (feat. Mundy)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VfNx6kUivSg
Mardi Gras – I have a dream
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-QazGEOvXI
Mardi Gras – Alys
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W3OfW_GaFbw
Mardi Gras - Are we ready for the sun?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3bnEkkxzJGY
Mardi Gras - Your constellation
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vrp5edFGS10
Mardi Gras – Feel alright
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yYJoElFLmyY
Contacts
www.mardigrasmusic.it
[email protected]
www.facebook.com/mardigrasband
Mardi Gras press kit 11/11