L'Italo-Americano

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2025 www.italoamericano.org L'Italo-Americano 2 A s o n g i s n e v e r j u s t a m e l o d y . When we try to understand why a tune or a cho- rus stays with us, the answer isn't always clear. Sometimes a melody gets stuck in our heads for no obvious reason. It might be because it brings back a memory, brightens our mood, or gives us a burst of energy. Italian music, memory, and the idea of home From the Editor L y r i c s a r e o f t e n e a s i e r t o e x p l a i n . A l i n e c a n r e f l e c t something we've lived, or describe a feeling so precisely that it seems to speak for us. At other times, listening simply puts us in a different emotional space. A few notes can bring back a season, a face, or a moment that left its mark. Many of us have said that a song was the "soundtrack" of a period in our lives. Hearing it again can transport us to a summer night with friends, a carefree trip, or a record our parents played over and over. Chords and melodies become a way back to those times, carrying both nostalgia and the warmth of sha- red experiences. Music seems able to hold on to moments, and to release them again when we need them. Memory isn't the only thing that binds us to a song. Lyrics can resonate deeply with our emotions and thoughts, turning music into a kind of confidant. In moments of solitude or happiness, we often find comfort and support in the words of artists who express what we ourselves feel but cannot articu- late. Recognizing ourselves in those lyrics makes us feel less alone, as if someone understands exactly what we're going through. Music also has the power to bring people together. At con- certs, thousands sing in unison, sharing the same emotion while becoming part of a collective experience that goes beyond language. Singing along turns into a social ritual, creating bonds between people from very different back- grounds who are united only by musical taste, a concert, or a song. In these moments, music becomes a universal langua- ge, breaking cultural and linguistic barriers. Sometimes, it does something even more specific: it reconnects people with their identity. For Italians living in America, attending the concert of an Italian artist can feel like going home. It's about hearing a familiar voice, feeling among friends, reco- vering a piece of home. Think about a lit stage, a guitar fil- ling the air, and a voice telling stories of distant places that are deeply rooted in the hearts of those listening. And this isn't only about nostalgia for older generations singing Torna a Surriento or Lacreme Napulitane There's a histori- cal archive of more than five thousand songs about Italian emigration, but many contemporary songwriters and perfor- mers maintain a strong, ongoing bond with Italians abroad. The musical journey is often an inner journey too: the embrace of family, the harmonious sound of one's native language, the lump in the throat that dissolves into music. There is certainly a biological element to this emotional process. When we listen to a song we love, our brains release dopamine, the neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and reward. This pushes us to seek out melodies that make us feel good, triggering a cycle of positive musical experien- ces. But chemistry alone doesn't explain the cultural tangle we carry with us when we live abroad and remain deeply attached to our roots. We seek out that music, that singer, to find ourselves again. We go to Italian community events, even those with a slightly old-fashioned air, to breathe in a sense of home, where familiar melodies bring back cherished memories. Dancing together, sharing laughter and warm looks, is a dose of Italian spirit that does us good. Music is an invisible thread that connects us, accompanies us through life's most meaningful moments, and reminds us that, deep down, we are never truly alone. Whether to escape, reflect, or celebrate, every song has the power to become a lasting part of our personal story. Simone Schiavinato, Editor Simone Schiavinato NEWS & FEATURES TOP STORIES PEOPLE EVENTS P.O.BOX 6528, ALTADENA, CA 91003 Member of FUSIE (Federazione Unitaria Stampa Italianaall'Estero), COGITO L'Italo-Americano Please send correspondence to P.O. Box 40156 Pasadena CA 91114 www.italoamericano.org L'Italo-Americano Newspaper (a 501(c)(3) non- profit organization), www.italoamericano.org, is the largest and longest-running Italian news- paper in America, not to mention the cultural and news resource for all things Italian in the US. A bilingual newspaper which represents an historical landmark for the Italian American Communities in the West Coast and throughout the US. L'Italo-Americano benefits from subsidies by the Italian Government, Memberships and Donations intended to support and not interrupt a mission that began in 1908 to preserve and promote the Italian language and culture in the USA Periodicals postage paid at Monrovia, California 91016, and additional mailing offices. PUBLISHER Robert Barbera Grande Ufficiale EDITOR IN CHIEF Simone Schiavinato ADMINISTRATIVE MANAGER Patrick Abbate EDITORIAL COORDINATOR Barbara Minafra COPY EDITOR Francesca Bezzone LOS ANGELES CONTRIBUTOR Silvia Nittoli SAN FRANCISCO CONTRIBUTOR Serena Perfetto SEATTLE CONTRIBUTOR Rita Cipalla CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Mariella Radaelli, Matt Walker, Francesca Bezzone, Luca Ferrari, Stefano Carnevali, Paula Reynolds, Teresa Di Fresco Nicoletta Curradi, Generoso D'Agnese, Jessica S. Levy, Fabrizio Del Bimbo, Maria Gloria, Chuck Pecoraro, Anthony Di Renzo Serena Perfetto, Kenneth Scambray, Chiara D'Alessio, Luca Signorini, Giulia Franceschini © 2025 L'Italo-Americano Membership: One year $59 - Single copy $2.25 POSTMASTER: Send address changes to L'Italo Americano P.O. Box 40156 Pasadena CA 91114 P.O.BOX 6528, ALTADENA, CA 91003

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