www.mardigrasmusic.it [email protected] Mardi Gras press folder 1/14 Biography There will be music since there are stories to tell…. Mardi Gras are from Rome (Italy), but the band’s name comes from the last Creedence Clearwater Revival studio album. Mardi Gras is even the famous New Orleans Carnival, a kaleidoscope of music, colours and vibes. October 2012: Mardi Gras release "Feel Alright". Produced and arranged by the band itself the track is written by Fabrizio Fontanelli (lyrics) and Alessandro Matilli (music). This is the first song under the new line up: Claudia Loddo: vocals & acoustic guitar Andrea Casini: bass Alessandro Fiori: drums Fabrizio Fontanelli: acoustic guitar Alessandro Matilli: piano & keyboards Paolo Strina: electric Guitar October 2011: "Among the streams" is their first record released through Ermanno Labianca's label Route 61 Music, the line up was Claudia McDowell (vocals), Alessandro Cicala (electric guitar), Alessandro Fiori (drums), Fabrizio Fontanelli (acoustic guitar), Alessandro Matilli (piano & keyboards) and David Medina (bass). The band chose an half irish vocalist to tell the stories included on the album, a record where the irish rock meets acoustic rock, alternative country and Americana vibes ("Shine" is a tribute to June Carter Cash and received praise from the Carter Family) prayers in music, piano ballads and much more. Brand new songs and songs written on the streets of Grafton Street in Dublin create a unique blend. The album was then mastered in Nashville by Alex McCollough (Robert Plant, Nanci Griffith, Steve Earle, Kris Kristofferson). Special Guest on the album is Liam O’Maonlai, of Hothouse Flowers fame ("Liam is the best white soul singer on the planet".Bono) he features on the track “Men improve with the years”, a W.B.Yeats poem put to music by Mardi Gras. “Scarecrow in the snow” is currently on Neil Young's Songs of the times, a list of anti-war and protest songs from artists all over the world. The website is Neil Young' s reaction to the Bush Ban from Radio Play following the September 11th attacks. The record is acclaimed by the national musical press, and enters the Annual Critic's Poll, while the first single “Song from the end of the world” enters the national top 50 radio charts (fm and web radios). September 2010: "For you 2", the second italian tribute to Bruce Springsteen music is released through Ermanno Labianca label Route 61 Music. Mardi Gras features with a rendition of “Land of hope and dreams”. Also featured on the double album are Chris Cavacas (Green on Red), JT Van Zandt and many more italian artists. March 2010: “Song from the end of the world” aired by Italian radio stations as radio stations as well as European indipendent and Us radio stations. Mardi Gras tour Italy having even supporting such acts as Glen Hansard & The Frames, Micah P Hinson, Noah and the whale and Billy Bragg. February 2006: Mardi Gras tour Italy as an acoustic duo and release their first album “Drops made" (Goodfellas ditribution), the line up was Silvia “Six” Olivares (vocals & acoustic guitar), Alessandro Fiori (drums), Fabrizio Fontanelli (acoustic guitar) and Davide Iacoangeli (double bass ). Most of the songs are aired by the American radio network Live365 as well as European independent and Us radio stations. "The wait" deals with the Death Penalty issue and was premiered during an Amnesty International conference and is also featured on Neil Young's Songs of the times. The band were also invited to perform at the Auditorium in Rome for the "X Generation" showcase promoted by one of the most important italian newspaper "La Repubblica". Mardi Gras tour Ireland with five shows including headlining Whelans in Dublin) just a few months after their italian tour with The Frames (Glen Hansard, "Once", Swell Season). Mardi Gras press folder 2/14 August 2012, the new line up introduces: Besides Alessandro Fiori, Fabrizio Fontanelli and Alessandro Matilli, Mardi Gras today are: Claudia Loddo, singer, songwriter and musician. After studying for years at the “Accademia Nazionale di Danza di Roma” decides to convey her creativity not only through dancing but also drawing, playing, writing and singing. She's the former vocalist of Overlook Hotel band leaving in 2011. They have won numerous musical national awards such as Giffoni Music Festival (Ed. Quote Rosa), Concorso dei Concorsi of Milano, and Fi.ESTA Rock. She also performs at the MEI in Faenza (The Annual showcase of independent music) and has opened a concert of the "Orchestra di Piazza Vittorio". Claudia attends a lot of national music labs hosted by the most important italian music journalists and critics such as Franco Zanetti, Massimo Cotto, and the songwriter Bungaro. Since 2008 she's the actress and the music composer of the piece "Studio per uno spettacolo divertente sull'anoressia" ( winner of the “Bando Ingiusto 2010”in Rome). Andrea Casini, bass player, he starred" as a singer in the "Jesus Christ Superstar Musical” staged in Roma in the 2001. Bass Player in a "The Who" tribute band from 2003 to 2005. and in a "Queen" tribute band from 2006 to 2009. Since 2007 he has also worked with some Music School in Rome. Since 2008 he also plays in Trio Basaglia ( jazz standards) and has also performed in the "No B day" staged in Rome. Paolo Strina, Electric Guitar. He has shared the stage with a lot of muscians and bluesmen through the years even opening a date of Zucchero's world tour 2008 with his former band "Marcosbanda". He also performed at the May 1st Concert in Piazza San Giovanni in Rome as special guest of Sergio Castellitto (one of the most famous italian actors). Since 2012 he plays in a Beatles Jazz tribute band “Three as a Beat”. He's endorsed by Guitar Works. Mardi Gras press folder 3/14 Discography Feel alright Single, independent release Copyright © SIAE 2012 1. Feel alright (Fontanelli/Matilli) A reinassance song produced, arranged and performed by Mardi Gras. The track is written by Fabrizio Fontanelli (lyrics) and Alessandro Matilli (music). This is the first song under the new line up: Claudia Loddo (vocals & acoustic guitar), Andrea Casini (bass), Alessandro Fiori (drums), Fabrizio Fontanelli (acoustic guitar), Alessandro Matilli (piano & keyboards) and Paolo Strina (electric guitar). Mardi Gras press folder 4/14 Among the streams Route 61 Music Copyright © SIAE 2011 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. Song from the end of the world (Fontanelli/Matilli) Scarecrow in the snow (Fontanelli/Matilli) Men improve with the years (W.B.Yeats/Fontanelli) What comes what goes (Fontanelli/Matilli) Sister i know (Fontanelli/Matilli) Land of hope and dreams (B. Springsteen) Shine (Fontanelli/Matilli) Hard to believe (Fontanelli) Ballad of love (Fontanelli) Satellites and me (Fontanelli/Matilli) Ten different songs, ten different journeys. In this album have played Claudia McDowell (vocals), Alessandro Cicala (electric Guitar), Alessandro Fiori (drums), Fabrizio Fontanelli (acoustic guitar), Alessandro Matilli (piano & keyboards) and David Medina (Bass). The songs talk about how we feel as a band among the streams within the music spell. The first song of this album talks about the great power of love and it ends with an hymn to youthness. On track #6, called "Land of Hope and dreams", we pay tribute to Bruce Springsteen, and on "Shine" to June Carter Cash (Johnny Cash's wife). Liam O' Maonlai from Hothouse Flowers is the special guest on "Men Improve with the Years”. Mardi Gras press folder 5/14 Drops made Goodfellas Copyright © SIAE 2006 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Conversation (Fontanelli/Olivares) Untitled (Olivares) Home again (Fontanelli/Olivares) High alive (Fontanelli/Olivares) The wait (Fontanelli/Olivares) Another day (Fontanelli/Olivares) Conversation Alt.Vers. (Fontanelli/Olivares) An out of focus record, a black and white landscape featuring six songs written by Silvia "Six" Olivares (vocals & acoustic guitar) and Fabrizio Fontanelli (acoustic guitar). In this album have also played Alessandro Fiori (drums) and Davide Iacoangeli (double bass). "The wait" is listed on Neil Young "songs of times" a special section of his website where peace and protest songs are listed. Mardi Gras press folder 6/14 Press MUSIC ZOOM: Reviewing "Among the streams": Everyhing is clean, deep and honest. Mardi gras just want to do good music, to be listened to, steal a smile or drive a tear.Their sweet melodies and polished sounds cant leave you cold at all."Song from the end of the world" and "Ballad of love" are two folk rock gems and their rendition of "Land of hope and dreams" is the real surprise along with the duet with Liam O'Maonlai. My praises to the band, a band made of great musical sensitivity". HOT PRESS MAGAZINE (Debbie Shkow): Mardi Gras are doing some interesting things, and seem to have the work ethic any band needs to succed. They don’t mention any specific Irish dates, but from their sound they would be worth the bus fare into town -if not quite the plane fare to Rome. HOT PRESS MAGAZINE (Jackie Hayden): You may have caught up with Mardi Gras from Italy when they joined The Frames for the Burn the maps tour. They re a tasty acoustic act. with guitars, drums and an intriguing vocalist in Silvia Olivares. "Conversation" opens on the "Knockin on Heaven's Door" riff, with Olivares quirky pronunciation adding to its charm. It's underpinned with a cute organ, but it drags a bit. The acoustic bass is the most attractive aspect of "Untitled". "Home Again" is another introspective song that benefits from the space they give the melody, and it has a nice open country feel. Good stuff that repays a little patience. SENTIRE ASCOLTARE: Reviewing "drops made": Straightforward, beautiful melodies which, together with the geometry of double bassguitars-drums, recall Edie Brickell’s enchanting circular mid-tempos (Untitled), the acoustic Dave Matthews at the dawn of his career (Conversation) or the sad solemnity of Gram Parsons revisited by Sodastream. Mardi Gras press folder 7/14 Live 2012-03-14 Locanda Atlantide (Roma) supportin’ Paolo Benvegnù 2012-02-18 I-Think (Roma) 2011-12-07 Stazione Birra (Roma) 2011-09-22 Walla Walla Live (Roma) 2011-07-30 Rock City Festival (Roma) supportin’ Belladonna 2011-07-29 Kinsale Village Ami Festival (Roma) supportin’ Kay McCarthy 2011-05-28 Abbey Road (Formello, Roma) 2011-05-26 Traffic Live Club (Roma) 2011-05-11 Circolo degli Artisti (Roma) supportin’ Billy Bragg 2011-03-17 Walla Walla Live St Patrick Night (Roma) 2010-11-21 Beba do Samba (Roma) 2010-09-25 Glory Days Rockisland (Rimini) 2010-07-17 Note Tempo Village (Roma) 2010-07-01 Circolo degli Artisti (Roma) 2010-06-02 Walla Walla (Roma) 2010-04-10 Beba do Samba (Roma) 2010-03-17 Walla Walla Live St Patrick Night (Roma) 2009-11-06 Stazione Birra (Morena, Roma) 2009-10-23 Foollyk (Roma) 2009-10-16 Zena (Campagna, Salerno) 2009-10-09 Beba do Samba (Roma) 2009-09-20 Note Tempo Village (Roma) 2009-09-10 Felt (Roma) 2009-04-04 56th Street (Roma) 2009-03-19 Circolo degli Artisti (Roma) supportin’ Noah and the Whale 2009-03-08 Auditorium Parco della Musica (Roma) 2008-12-10 Stazione Birra (Morena, Roma) 2008-11-27 Auditorium Tor Vergata (Roma) 2008-10-17 Contestaccio (Roma) 2008-07-24 Vudstock in Sabina Festival (Rieti) 2008-07-19 Festa dell’Unità (Roma) 2008-07-10 Estate alla Sapienza (Roma) 2008-05-23 Dada Music Club Alatri (Frosinone) 2008-05-02 Sinister Noise (Roma) 2008-04-12 Alice nella città Castelleone (Cremona) 2008-04-11 Primo piano caffè Fidenza (Parma) 2008-03-29 Il Cantiere (Roma) 2008-03-22 Dada Music Club Alatri (Frosinone) 2008-03-06 Live Aid Kenya Classico Village (Roma) 2008-02-23 Basquait (Fermo, Ascoli Piceno) 2008-02-22 Soms (Corridonia, Macerata) 2008-02-21 Fuzz (Pesaro) 2008-02-08 Mosaico (Benevento) 2008-02-07 Jailbreak (Roma) 2008-02-01 Cantieri Musicali (Vetralla, Viterbo) Mardi Gras press folder 8/14 2007-10-11 Circolo degli Artisti (Roma) supportin’ Micah P Hinson 2007-03-18 Ex mattatoio (Aprilia, Roma) 2006-12-10 Traffic (Roma) supportin’ Giorgio Canali & Rosso Fuoco 2006-06-09 Trinity Rooms (Limerick, Ireland) 2006-06-08 The stables, (Mullingar, Ireland) 2006-06-07 Ryan's (Kilkenny, Ireland) 2006-06-05 Whelan's (Dublin, Ireland) 2006-06-04 The Cellar (Galway, Ireland) 2006-05-20 Piazza Navona (Roma) 2006-05-06 Circolo degli Artisti (Roma) 2006-04-29 Druids Rock (Roma) 2006-04-07 Traffic (Roma) supportin’ TKO 2006-03-26 La Limonaia (Fucecchio, Firenze) 2006-03-25 Corallo (Scandiano, Reggio Emilia) 2006-03-16 Rashomon (Roma) with The Niro and Circulus 2006-02-26 Jailbreak (Roma) 2006-02-04 Live and Blues (Fiano Romano, Roma) 2006-01-28 Druids Rock (Roma) 2006-01-21 Red House (Aquino, Frosinone) 2006-01-20 Traffic (Roma) 2005-12-16 Traffic (Roma) 2005-12-23 Lettere Caffè (Roma) 2005-04-23 Sonica (Roma) 2005-04-16 Tempo Rock (Reggio Emilia) supportin’ The Frames 2005-04-15 Jailbreak (Roma) supportin’ The Frames 2005-02-25 Il Cantiere (Roma) 2003-12-19 Il Cantiere (Roma) 2003-11-22 Stay Free (Roma) 2003-03-20 Leoncavallo (Milano) 2002-07-20 Mei Sun Indies Festival The Barge (Rimini) 2002-06-22 Festa europea della musica Il falco e la leonessa (Roma) 2002-01-18 Jailbreak (Roma) 2002-01-17 Alpheus (Roma) 2002-01-16 Il locale (Roma) 2001-12-19 Libera..mente (Roma) 2001-09-09 Meeting Samigo (Asti) 2001-09-08 Meeting Samigo (Asti) 2001-05-07 Circolo Vizioso (Roma) 2000-06-11 Foolyk (Roma) 2000-05-27 Melvyn’s (Roma) 2000-05-18 Hit (Roma) 2000-02-17 Kaos Club (Roma) Mardi Gras press folder 9/14 Mardi Gras press folder 10/14 Claudia Loddo: vocals & acoustic guitar Andrea Casini: bass Mardi Gras press folder 11/14 Alessandro Fiori: drums Fabrizio Fontanelli: acoustic guitar Mardi Gras press folder 12/14 Alessandro Matilli: piano & keyboards Paolo Strina: electric guitar Mardi Gras press folder 13/14 Contacts www.mardigrasmusic.it [email protected] www.facebook.com/mardigrasband Mardi Gras press folder 14/14