The 5 Sense - ear
THE BANDS - SUBSONICA
Since 1997, year in which they published their first and homonymous album, Subsonica have been able spokesmen of the experimental music dearly loved by Turin. Rock and reggae sounds, matched with a new use of electronics, a mix of technology and refined melody, found a stadium under the Murazzi arcades as a niche.
That small series of
caves overlooking the Po, centre of many
innovations and destination of many illustrious
members of the club culture, can be
considered the band's cradle. Many concerts,
a lot of hard work, an exhibition at
the Sanremo music festival with "Tutti i
miei sbagli" and bang, success arrives.
The band undergoes a crisis with "Microchip Emozionale" and "Amorematico" when it is no longer independent, yet it remains a bit hostile towards mass consumption.
They revolutionize the rules of rock music; they are a real "anomaly" as stated by the title of their bibliography, drafted by Paolo Ferrari. Their forth album was accompanied by many lucky side projects of the band's individual components and their piece "Abitudine" was broadcast for months by all radios.
The tour for the publication of "Terrestre" was sold out throughout Italy and watching them continue to simply walk around the Murazzi begins to make a certain impression.
Official site: www.subsonica.it
A couple of questions for... Max Casacci, Subsonica guitarist well known in town
How was the music scene in Turin in the '90s?
They were dark times.
Turin was seen only as an industrial city and, for those choosing music as a job, there certainly weren't many prospects and they were often considered lazy layabouts. Things have changed now and our sector has taken on much greater importance. This doesn't mean it is easier to make it in this field, just that there are certainly many more occasions for new bands to be heard.
What is listened to in town now?
Currently the need to move towards different horizons, in order to create interest, is strongly felt.
The city has changed and it is natural for music to reflect the place it comes from. Turin is assuming more and more post-industrial resemblances and this makes it similar to places like Detroit and Manchester (or Mad chester if you prefer!), where the post-industrial sounds found fertile ground already years ago. As far as names go, the Perturbazione are one of the most interesting bands at the moment.