L'Italo-Americano

L'Italo-Americano Hit Week 2014 featured Italian artist Caparezza Aldo M. Moffa The legendary Whisky A Go Go in Sunset blvd has recently b e c o m e q u i t e f a m i l i a r w i t h I t a l i a n c o n t e m p o r a r y m u s i c . After Luciano Ligabue, in fact, another talented artist performed on the cozy nightclub's stage on Thursday, November 6, on the occasion of the 4 th edition of Hit Week. The initiative, launched in 2010 with the goal of promoting I t a l i a n c o n t e m p o r a r y m u s i c worldwide, has traveled across Europe, the U.S., Canada, Asia, and South America, featuring artists the likes of Elisa, Franco Battiato, Subsonica, Negrita, Giovanni Allevi, and more. The 2014 edition was organized in collaboration with FIMI (Italian Music Industry Federation), the Italian Trade Agency, and the Italian Cultural Institute, under the auspices of the Consulate General of Italy in Los Angeles a n d M i a m i – w h e r e t h e t o u r stopped on November 8. The L.A. performance was opened by the Italian-American rock b a n d V i o l a n e , w h i l e s p e c i a l guest in Miami was the Roman alternative band Kutso. This year's headliner was Caparezza, rapper and song- writer from Apulia, whose nick- name refers to his unique curly hair. Inspired by different gen- res, as he explained in the fol- lowing interview, Caparezza has developed his own style made of a distinctive voice, socially con- s c i o u s a n d c r i t i c a l l y r i c s , a catchy sound, and histrionic, dreamlike live shows. His 6 th record Museica debuted atop the Italian charts in May 2014 and has been recently released in U.S. online stores. This is the second time you perform in L.A. during the Hit Week. What is your relation- ship with the city and the local public? I t ' s a y o u n g r e l a t i o n s h i p , started in 2011 when Hit Week gave me the opportunity to per- form at the El Rey Theater. The l o c a l s b a r e l y k n e w m e b u t I always like to play my music in front of a new audience, and I was impressed by the respect shown by this city for artists and entertainers. Therefore, I was very excited to perform in L.A. again, and hopefully I succeeded not only in entertaining many f e l l o w I t a l i a n s b u t a l s o i n i n t r i g u i n g a f e w A m e r i c a n s . Unfortunately, I could bring to the U.S. just a taste of the huge, toy-like set design that is usually THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2014 www.italoamericano.com 4 on stage during my concerts in Italy. Is it hard to be a rapper in Italy? And is it possible for an Italian rapper to become pop- ular in the U.S.? The point is that I don't see myself as a rapper. Italy has its o w n r a p a n d h i p - h o p m u s i c scene, but my style is different. There is a band of musicians p l a y i n g w i t h m e , w h i c h i s u n u s u a l . M i n e i s a p e r s o n a l interpretation of rap, a mix of sounds inspired by different genres, from rock to electronic and indie music. And as I don't try to imitate American rappers, SILVIA SIMONETTI I don't feel the competition. Let's talk about your latest album Museica, recorded in your hometown Molfetta but mixed and mastered in LA by Chris Lord-Alge and Gavin Lurssen. Museica is a proactive con- cept album based on art history and works of art. I have studied and visited museums, and then I have turned those emotions into new songs. At the age of 40, I felt the need to s top w riting about what I dislike and to start celebrating what I like: creativi- ty and art. These are worth sav- ing. You worked with American poet Michael Franti on the t r a c k È t a r d i ( I t ' s l a t e ) , inspired by Salvador Dalí's painting The Persistence of Memory. Is there any other U.S. artist you'd like to collab- orate with? Michael Franti is one of the last positive and conscious rap- pers left. Another one is Public Enemy's leader Chuck D, with whom I'd like to duet as well. Actually, there are many artists who influenced me with their creativity and I'd be honored to work with, regardless of the music genre. A ldo M . M offa, born in A ltoona, P A , S eptember 27, 1921. Passed away November 5, 2014, at home in Lake Forest, CA. He was preceded in death by his wife of 53 years, Velia. He is survived by his beloved and devoted daughter, Maria. He is also survived by his nephews, Randall (Doris) Closson and G ianluigi (N adia) Cicches e; nieces M aria Cris tina Montisano, Rosanna (Fausto) Carnevale, and Ersilia Cicchese; great nephews David (Cheris) Caparezza's portrait. Photo courtesy of Universal Music Milan Henderson, Ivan Cicchese and Pietro Paschini; great nieces Carla H enders on, H eather (Mario) Hilliard, Erin (Stephen) Blake, and M arta P as chini. Great-Great uncle of Charmel, Jovier, and Dessa Henderson, Annica and Gianna Blake. He was "Grandpa" to Shia Tan, and "other father" to Stanley Tan, Marlyn Rivera, and Marjorie Lizardo, who took great care of him, and loved him as a father. H e is als o mis s ed by many, many friends, including Kate (G rant) Logs don, w hom he adored, and his beloved and faithful dog, G. Aldo was a true gentleman, in every sense of the word, and never had an unkind word to say about anyone. He was a devoted a proud veteran of WWII, and a devoted Catholic. Flowers accepted, but he would prefer donations to St. Jude's Children's Hospital. He would really appreciate it if you w atched the movies "Casablanca", "The Adventures of Robin H ood" w ith Errol Flynn, or "The Wizard of Oz" with someone you love. The Moffa Family expresses their thanks to the staff at Saddleback Valley Hospice. Funeral services will be at S antiago de Compos tela Catholic Church in Lake Forest with a vigil service at 5:00pm on Thursday, November 13 and funeral M as s on F riday, N ovember 14 at 11:00am. Graveside service will take place at H oly Cros s Cemetery on Saturday, November 15, at a time to be determined O'Connor Mortuary (949) 581-4300 www.oconnormortuary.com

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