As a result of my hanging out on Twitter I came across Italian band the Mirrors, or rather they came across me, seeing as they decided to ‘follow’ Blog from Italy’s Twitter channel.
Some time back I came across another Italian band, wrote a little about them and posted a few of their videos on Blog from Italy. That last band was Amycanbe, and being a nice crowd, they wrote a post on the band’s blog to thank me for saying something about them. Amycanbe caught my ear because the band sings in English.
The Mirrors also sing in English, which is why they caught my ear too. Here is a video of them in action singing their track Another Story.
The Mirrors – Another Story
The band describes its music as falling into the indie-rock genre. Indeed, their sound is rocky, but not too much so, if you know what I mean. If you don’t, then simply have a listen, and a watch. You then can decide for yourself into which musical genre the Mirrors fall.
http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=61193172As I said at the start of this post, the Mirrors are an Italian band. In fact they are based in my Italian home town, Milan. They are:
- Marco Ortensi – vocals, composer, piano & synth
- Andrea Vitali – vocals, composer, guitars, bass
- Andrea Gobbi – bass, backing vocals
- Emanuele Platania – drums
International Attention
The band started doing its stuff in 2002. According to the band’s MySpace page, their track ‘Through’ was chosen by Andre Doucette for the snowboarding comedy film Shred with Tom Green.
Another Mirrors track, The whole, gained some airplay on New York’s Jack FM, so the Mirrors seem to be attracting some international attention.
Good for them!
The Mirrors on MySpace
I would have put another Mirrors track here for you to listen to, but for some reason I cannot. Not really a problem, seeing as all you have to do is to head for the band’s MySpace page, where you’ll find plenty more Mirrors music for you to reflect upon: The Mirrors MySpace Page.
Maybe some passing A&R man or woman will hit upon this post, like the Mirrors’ sound, and offer them a multi-million dollar recording contract. Well, you never know!
Do I like the Mirrors sound? Yes, I do. Though my opinion probably does not count because I’m just about an old fogey. Now, where did I put my carpet slippers??
For more on Italian band Amycanbe, along with lots of videos to watch, try here: The Indie Italian Band Amycanbe – Blog from Italy
And if you are an iTunes user, you can find music from the Mirrors and AmyCanBe on iTunes.
Joe T. says
In some of their stuff I heard a certain similarity with a favorite band of mine, Fugazi (a band from DC)… They are described as “punk” but if it’s punk, it’s a rather unique sounding kind of punk.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fugazi
But it was only in certain songs… definitely not a big overall similarity. Any way, if you give Fugazi a good listen, you might like them. The name “fugazi” incidentally is stated on Wiki to be Italian slang for “fake”, but I always thought it was an Italian word meaning “sleep walkers” or something like that — in other words, people walking in a “fugue” state.
My musical tastes are pretty eclectic. The only kind of music I generally shun is the most commercial. But even considering that, I enjoyed Michael Jackson’s music, or much of it anyway. And you know, I never realized how big of a fan I was, until after he died, thinking back to my encounter with him in a book shop in Vegas a year before… as I’ve told you about here.
Joe
Joe T. says
Hi Alex — I listened to what Antipodi has to offer and I do like them. Wonder what the significance of the name “Antipodi” is… “Antipodes” refers to the opposite side of the world, e.g. New Zealand, etc.
Alex Roe says
Hi Joe,
Glad to hear that you liked Antipodi! Was not sure you were a rocker too! Seems as though we both share fairly eclectic tastes in music.
Not sure what Antipodi means, I was wondering myself. Maybe I’ll ask the band.
Cheers,
Alex
Alex Roe says
True Joe. MTV seems to be quite popular in Italy, but I don’t like it that much.
A suggestion, check out the Italian bands listed on SellaBand, choose Italy as the country , click on a band and listen away, there are 180+ Italian bands listed: http://www.sellaband.com/searches
You can also ‘invest’ in the bands too. Very interesting concept. I’ve signed up for a play, so to speak!
Happy listening,
Alex
Joe T. says
thanks, Alex. I didn’t know about that site — looks like a good place to find out about new music!
Joe
Alex Roe says
I’ve only just come across it myself, Joe, thanks to an Italian band which is following me on Twitter: http://www.sellaband.com/projects/antipodi – heavyish rock. The band sings in Italian, but I like their sound a lot. Not sure if it’s your taste though.
Sellaband is very interesting though, and as you say, a great place to discover new music, and, theoretically, make some money. Sort of a music industry NASDAQ! 😉
Alex
Joe T. says
Thanks for the video, I like them.
My favorite Italian bands/acts right now are:
1) Rock – Prozac +
2) Folk/pop/traditional – Nomadi (I realize they are a very old band!)
3) Singer – In-Grid (who is from Emilia but sings mostly in French)
Who are your favorite Italian bands and musicians?
Alex Roe says
Hi Joe,
Glad you like the Mirrors – it’s true they are not at all bad at what they do.
Interesting to hear your Top 3 fave Italian bands too.
I’ve heard of Prozac+, but do not know them – will search on YouTube. Same for Nomadi, I don’t really know their music.
As for In-Grid, first time I’ve heard of them! Will check them out.
The Italian bands I quite like are:
Vibrazione – pop rock outfit – seem to have gone quiet over the last few years, or at least that is the impression I’ve got.
Elio e Le Storie Tese – very well known in Italy. They play music in various styles, and I like their sound, and the lyrics are often clever too.
Neffa – soul pop outfit. Good sound, and some fun songs.
I don’t really have a favourite Italian band, as I tend to like tracks by certain Italian bands, quite a few of which can be found here on Blog from Italy, along with videos.
Best,
Alex
PS If there are any bands anyone thinks I should have a listen to, let me know.
In common with the contents of Blog from Italy, my musical tastes are pretty darn eclectic.
Joe T. says
Hi Alex —
In-Grid is actually a singer, Ingrid Emiliana Alberini, who works under the stage name In-Grid. Here is her Wikpediai link…
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/In-Grid
Joe
Alex Roe says
Ah, OK. Thanks for that. I did not realise that In-Grid stood for Ingrid!
According to the Wikipedia link you supplied, she’s doing pretty well in a few countries around Europe, but not in Italy!
As with cars, Italy does not really have any decent music programs on TV. Odd.
Cheers,
Alex
Joe T. says
Although MTV seems to be very popular in Italy.