MusicNewsItaly recently caught up with Enrico Molteni, bassist of the legendary indie Italian group - Tre Allegri Ragazzi Morti - known for their eclectic playing whilst wearing their own styled mask onstage.
They are celebrating their 20th anniversary with a series of gigs, and Music News grabbed some time with Enrico Molteni to find out more.
MN: "Man is least himself when he talks with his own voice. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth."
Oscar Wilde
Could this be easily referenced to your own desire to wear a mask?
EM:I don't think it's our case. I wonder if Wilde would have said the same thing about a dead man; maybe he would have.. "Every man lies, but kill him and he will be sincere."
MN: After 20 long years which city has impressed you the most and which one reminds you the most of your home town Pordenone?
EM: There are quite a few cities that we love, such as Turin, Milan , Palermo and Cagliari. The Italian city that is most similar to Pordenone is Cuneo.
MN: "All teenage years are just like war" after 20 years how much do you think teenagers have changed? Does the "We were different" stereotype still exist?
EM:I don't think so. I mean, things change, that's normal, and the fact that they are strongly connected to the historical period in which they exist is also normal. But that "We were different" stereotype is usually based on the fact that it's so hard to accept that it's our point of view that changes, not the people themselves.
MN: Your sound has always been strongly tied to the concept of simplicity but with a continueing melodic evolution, in what direction do you think you are heading right now?
EM:We are becoming Africans! Jokes aside, it's a possible indicationof a future direction for us, very similar to African rhythmic and melodic structures. And by this we don't mean a particularly drastic change, in fact it's a very popular basic element for contemporary music.
MN: Who would you absolutely love/hate to be on stage with?
EM: That's a very hard question. My instinct would be to say Fela Kuti or anyone of his numerous family members, accompanied by the orchestra. We'll tell you our "hate" next time we see each other. We have to think hard about that one.
MN: What's your favourite sport?
EM:Sport you say? I probably wouldn't call ourselves sports fans. We do occasionally check out cycling and boxing though.
MN: How hard is it to be a musician? Let's reveal the "dark side" of being an on-the-road artist, who's hardly ever at home.
EM: It's definitely challenging, but also very rewarding, so there is really no need to complain.
MN: Who is your all-time idol? (Not necessarily someone from the music biz)
EM: That's a tough one! Leonardo da Vinci maybe?
MN: Wine or Beer?
EM:What sort of a question is that?!
MN: Why would a person to whom you are unknown listen to a legendary band like yours?
EM. Because they could get to explore a completely new ambience and, maybe, get to feel a little "free" in their thoughts and inhibitions.
MN: Vent’anni di comunicazione visiva nel laboratorio di Tre allegri ragazzi morti"
Could you please explain the main concept of the book and where/how it can be bought?
EM: The book is a 20 year collection of visual material (photos, pictures, drawings, graphics...) all placed in a chronological order. So, turning the pages, you can ether go back or forth in time. It's great, and it's an explosion of ideas, so I strongly advise it.
You can find it
here:
and if bought online you will also receive a CD live unplugged recorded in the summer of 2014 at Cagliari.
grazie Enrico
Arrivederci
