Dear Readers,
Another April assortment of Italian Connections for you: Matera: in the Basilicata region of Italy, except for travelers with an archeological affection, is off the radar of most American tourists and its name often confused by English travelers with Madeira, a Portuguese island in the North Atlantic off the African coast, famous for exporting Madeira wines.
Matera, set high on the rocky plateau of the eastern Basilicata interior, gained its international archeological reputation for its Sassi (caves.) In his book “Christ stopped at Eboli”, Carlo Levi wrote about the Sassi as a symbol of 1930’s southern Italian poverty, but in 1952 the dwellers were evacuated by the government and the Sassi have since come to life, as a newly fashionable district.
In the 1990’s, the famous Sassi of Matera were named part of the world’s cultural heritage by UNESCO, as they are an architectural complex unique in the world. What looks like houses piled on top of each other are, in fact caves, either of natural origin or carved into the rocky hillside.
Anthropologists who have examined the thousands old Sassi, think that Matera may be one of the most ancient cities in the world, but the young “Materesi” are more interested in moving “avanti” as construction workers busily transform many of the Sassi into thoroughly modern houses, hotels, art galleries, bars and boutiques, adding another chapter to Matera’s long history of human habitation.
Although Matera and environs, most an hour away from better known Bari by train, may suffer from anonymity, to me they are not anonymous. In the small villages of the interior, hilltop towns of a traditional agrarian society blend with postwar urban developments. In Montescaglioso, Tricarico, Miglionico, Pomarico, Bernalda, Policoro, Ferrandina, Pisticci and Metaponto, reside young sprouts from a century old family tree. With great joy I share with you information about Patchanka Soledada, a non-Italian sounding name for a Matera based Group that will soon put Matera on the musical map for its sensational sassy sound.
Go to their website, listen to their latest hit single “La piu’ bella del mondo” and you will become a fan too. The Matera based musical group Patchanka Soledada first came to my attention in Chicagoland’s “Fra Noi”. The author, J. Guilyard, applauding the video clip of musicians turned filmmakers, ran a group photo and wrote “A video clip by local musicians has brought a small Basilicata town to the attention of the world.”
Now, I am a computer klutz, but seeing the word Matera in print was enough to move me fast in the direction of my “marito”, engineer, in charge of computer affairs. To view Patchanka Soledada’s film, go to the band’s website at www.patchankasoledada.com When you get to the website, you have to click on MySpace.com to see or hear more. I loved their song “La più bella del mondo” and was completely captivated by their music, which was a delightful surprise, since it was the film clip that had been the author’s focus. “The Matera-based music group Patchanka Soledada has created a short film to showcase their song, “La più bella del mondo.”
The clip, which features a local couple walking around the ancient Italian town, has been watched by thousands and has brought international attention to the group and the beautiful scenic town in which they live. The band used local Matera eateries Ristorante Stano and Pizzeria Il Rugantino to give the video an authentic feeling that transports you right to southern Italy.
The lead singer of the group is Nicola Petrillo, whose stage name is Pedro Wadada. He spoke about making the film the symbolism of the instruments and how his southern Italian town inspires the band’s work. Patchanka Soledada music is upbeat, thoughtful and intense. But at the same time it’s amusing and funny. It’s a mixture of sounds and colors that gives the band an indefinable sound.
From reggae to ska to rocksteady, they use several sounds to express every mood.” The music video was made with director Giancarlo Fontana, local actors and executive producers at Bluvideo. The message of the film was that life is music, music is love, and love is life in a continuous circle without limits. The instruments are in the hands of common people because each one of us “plays” something.
In everything people do, they are playing music. So, via the magic of art, each person can read into it and relate to it in their own way. In order to watch Patchanka Soledada’s film I went to the band’s website www.patchankasoledada.com and here is a sample of what I found after I clicked MySpace URL: http://www.myspace.com/patchankasoledadaband. Arci Sana Records presents the Patchanka Soledada eight band members, Nicola Petrillo aka Pedro - vocals, Angelo Taranni aka MrTata - guitar, Gigi Piccolo aka Little - tromba, Donny Fogliano - Sax, Gianni Buono - bass, Robert Chietera - percussions, Giuseppe Fiorino - drums, Mariella Larato – keyboard, vocals.
It also includes photos and comments from their fans, most in Italian with a little English thrown in. For more information or booking: Tel. & Fax 02-45494275, Mobile +39 348-2682852 - concertiupr@fastwebnet.it Patchanka Soledada’s Matera based band website and their film promoting their hit “La più bella del mondo”, are a treat for the eyes and the ears.
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