(headline image: Ra di Spina, Alexsandra Ida Mauro and Laura Cuomo)
Ra di Spina is a musical project founded by the talented singer and ethnomusicologist Laura Cuomo, centered on the creative use of voice. The project explores the transformation of traditional Southern Italian melodies, typically performed as solo songs, into polyphonic compositions using exquisite vocal layering, loops, and live electronics.
The concept for Ra di Spina emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic, when Cuomo began experimenting with polyphonic arrangements of monodic folk melodies. The period of isolation became a catalyst for innovation, resulting in a six-track EP produced by musician and producer Ernesto Nobili.
Ra di Spina made its live debut at the Campania Teatro Festival in Naples, featuring Cuomo alongside vocalists Alexsandra Ida Mauro and Francesco Luongo, forming a vocal trio complemented by electronic music elements. The project subsequently appeared at several prominent events, including Welcome to Napoli, Festival Alta Felicità (Venaus, Turin, organized by the NO-TAV movement), and the inaugural edition of the Napoli World Festival. Following these performances, the group embarked on a national tour, appearing in cities such as Bologna (at the International Museum of Music), Milan, Genoa, La Spezia, Perugia, and Rome.
In 2023, the project gained additional recognition when its song “Madonni quant’è jirti stu palazzo” was selected as a finalist for the Premio Parodi, with Ra di Spina performing at the Teatro Massimo in Cagliari.
The year 2024 marked a turning point for the ensemble. To prepare for the completion of their debut album, Ra di Spina adjusted its lineup. The current lineup includes Laura Cuomo and Alexsandra Ida Mauro on vocals, Ernesto Nobili on guitar, and Francesco Paolo Manna on percussion.
The reformed group made its debut at MUM Festival in Mérida, Spain, where it was featured as the Italian representative. The project was also showcased at Czech Music Crossroads and the Art&Life Festival in Ostrava, Czech Republic, where it was recognized as one of the leading live acts. Later that year, Ra di Spina performed at the Mens Agitat Molem Festival in the historic setting of Piazza d’Armi at the Baia Castle in Bacoli (Naples).
In April 2025, Ra di Spina released its first full-length album, Vocazioni. The project continues to explore the intersections between past and present, combining polyphonic vocals with guitars, electronics, and synthesizers. The resulting sound draws from both archival field recordings and contemporary influences, creating a musical language that bridges ancient Southern Italian traditions with modern experimental music.
Author: Madison Quinn
