ACUSTIMANTICO is a post-acoustic ensemble from Rome, Italy.Born in 1998, it quickly becomes a small “cult-band†among the new Italian independent music groups. Its musical oblique aptitude mixes the tradition of Italian music with Balkan elements, along with strictly European flavoured avant-garde pop-jazz. This elegant recipe leads to a tasty, fascinating result.So far, the band has been playing all over Italy,Europe and Japan, and has won two important National Awards: Sonica ’99 For Unsigned Bands with the song ‘Fiori di Loto’ (‘The Lotus Flowers’- EMI, 1999) and in 2003 the prestigious Premio Città di Recanati, winning both prizes for The Best Critique’s Choice and The Best Music, as well as being the Audience’s Favorite Band on the Internet.In 2004 Acustimantico wins Best Repertoire at the Mantova Music Festival and the prize for Best Self Produced Band at the MEI (Independent Labels Meeting)The songlist of their concerts includes extracts from the group’s three studio cd’s: ‘ACUSTIMANTICO’ (2000), a six-tracks album showing the initial idea of the band’s aesthetics: Balkans + Mediterranean tradition + Middle East - ‘LA BELLA STAGIONE’ (The Good Season’ - 2002), where Acustimantico’s world becomes richer in texture thanks to new references to klezmer sounds, tango and a slight influence from European trip-hop – and ‘SANTA ISABEL’ (2004), considered to be their most mature work, a pure concept album about space, that is having enthousiastic reviews all over the country and very good appreciation among the fans.In 2005 Acustimantico releases a LIVE CD with the independent label ilmanifesto dischi called ‘DISCO N. 4’ ; Live acts infact are the band’s peculiarity, and besides a regular amplified gig, Acustimantico plays a totally acoustic set (no amplification at all) called ‘CONCERTO DEL SILENZIO’ (‘Concert of Silence’) where the magic of music and songwriting is often combined with the amazing sounds of nature: the concerts take place from outdoor venues to museums or churchyards, where silence becomes the fifth element - a new concept of experiencing original music.In april, 2005, Acustimantico is proudly invited by the Fondazione Italia Giappone and the Italian Government to represent Italy at the AICHI UNIVERSAL EXPO in Japan; more than 12 concerts between the Expo (a very special one takes place at the Italian Pavilion) and the Nagoya area.Acustimantico often works with artists like writers, painters, actors having no particular stylistic limitations, believing that Art is the unique way to overcome all barriers.Poetry has often inspired the work of the group and his lyricist Danilo Selvaggi, who leads the band to one of their most successful experiences on stage: in January 2006, at the prestigious Auditorium – Parco della Musica in Rome, Acustimantico presents ‘EM – OVVERO EMANUEL CARNEVALI VA IN AMERICA’; taking inspiration from the life and writings of the Italian poet Emanuel Carnevali, Acustimantico sails on the waves of poetry, theatre, jazz, tradition and history and a main theme such as the migration of men and their stories.
‘EM’ has an incredible resonance and the two concerts at the Auditorium get sold out before the premiere.Acustimantico’s concern about peace, migration and civil rights has always made the group closer to institutions such as AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL that chooses the band as a testimonial for their campaign ‘INVISIBILI’: in the summer of 2006,more than 1500 people attend a concert where Acustimantico tells the untold story of children immigrants, through new original songs and the reading of real interviews collected by AI members.
