Maria Mazzotta – Onde (Zero Nove Nove, 2024)
Maria Mazzotta‘s latest album, Onde, departs from her previous works. This album introduces a fresh lineup and a novel sound, mixing the vibrant essence of rural tradition with contemporary instruments infused with a suburban flair. Notably, “Onde” features collaborations with international artists Bombino and Volker Goetze.
Since her solo debut with Amoreamaro in 2020, Maria Mazzotta has traversed the globe, performing over 200 concerts across Europe, Latin America, and Asia. This extensive journey has deepened her understanding of folk music and empowered her to push the boundaries of her expression with boldness and authenticity.
Onde is a product of diverse encounters, influences, and reflections on contemporary society. The album opens with “La Fortuna,” a fusion of Maria Mazzotta’s visceral vocals and Post-Rock electric sounds, reimagining traditional folk tunes from Salento. The song emotionally portrays the struggles of those who brave the sea in search of a better life, confronting the harsh realities of migration and injustice.
Collaborating with Tuareg artist Bombino on “Sula nu puei stare” further exemplifies the album’s theme of solidarity and acceptance. The track seamlessly intertwines Salento folk elements with the rhythmic intensity of Flamenco and North African music, inviting listeners to embrace diversity and communal harmony.
Throughout Onde, the metaphor of the sea permeates, symbolizing constant change and resilience. Maria Mazzotta’s vocals, accompanied by Cristiano della Monica’s percussion and Ernesto Nobili’s guitars, navigate through various emotional currents, evoking both turbulence and tranquility.
The album pays homage to influential figures in Italian traditional music, such as Rosa Balistreri and Maestro Roberto De Simone, while also embracing modern musical explorations.
“The South has something rough and sanguine about it, often even the sweet melodies of lullabies, which can be heard in historical archives, are sung with raspy, hoarse voices; for me, this is the equivalent of distortions in rock music. I’m sure that if Rosa Balistreri were alive in 2024 she would be singing with an electric guitar hooked up to an amplifier, it would be the perfect combination for her expressive and communicative power,” says Mazzotta.
Tracks like “Terra ca nun senti” and “Marinaresca” present a fusion of Apulian folk traditions with contemporary Indie and Post-Rock elements, reflecting Mazzotta’s eclectic musical taste.
Mazotta elaborates: “After having performed mainly in a duo for the last 10 years, I felt a strong need within me to have a powerful sound on stage. In the past I joined Canzoniere Grecanico Salentino as soon as I was 18, performing with dreadlocks and chains around my neck, I was passionate about traditional music and at the same time, I took a train to go to Florence to see CSI, one of the hottest bands in alternative rock in the 90’s. Groups like CCCP and CSI, Üstmamò, and Marlene Kuntz have been a source of inspiration, even before my search for a sound, in my attempt to eliminate every barrier and fear around expressing what I feel represents me best today. So I asked myself why not combine my songs and the world that I have always sung and practiced with my voice, with everything that my ears have always listened to and sought: distorted guitars, drums, and such powerful sounds“.
In the moving “Canto e Sogno,” Mazzotta delves into introspective themes, crafting lyrics that explore the transient nature of life and the healing power of love. Accompanied by Volker Goetze’s emotive trumpet, the song transcends linguistic barriers, inviting listeners into a realm of profound reflection and emotions.
Musicians: Maria Mazzotta on vocals, tamburello (tambourine), percussion; Cristiano Della Monica on drums, percussion, electronics; and Ernesto Nobili on electric guitar, baritone guitar.
Buy Onde.
Author: Iliana Cabrera
