Article by Mariel Sanna
How is life? We ask Daniele Paolucciin art MONTEGROan artist of Abruzzo origins (from Lanciano to be precise), who welcomed us on the top floor terrace of the Hotel Mediteranneo in Rome to present us a preview of his first album, precisely, Beautiful Lifereleased this October 24th (Artist First).
A small passage to remind us who we are talking about.
Singer-songwriter, author and multi-instrumentalist, Montegro it combines the narrative soul of the songwriting with pop and contemporary sounds. A figure that earned him a special mention of Club Tenco For Tired eyeswithin the scope of Music Against the Mafia, a collaboration with Max Gazzè on the song Un'altra adolescence and took shape in the EP Do Better (2024), presented with numerous live performances in the main Italian clubs.
We are introduced to the album with a story of its origins and its first steps into the world of music. From the fortunate meeting in adolescence with the internationally renowned artist Andrea Castelfranato, who led him to discover the world of classical guitar, but not only; from the historical friendship with Antonio di Santo, who took part in the creation of the album and had a fundamental role in the search for sound, from the influence of the Roman music scene of Silvestri, Gazzè, Sinigallia, and by Italian songwriting in general Pino Daniele, Lucio Dallaetc.
All influences clearly present in the album, which from our point of view, helped him to give consistency, technique and quality to this first debut album.
The album contains eight tracks with rich and enveloping sounds, capable of transporting the listener to cozy, family evenings with friends. The scratchy voice of Montegro accompanies you on an emotional journey through the nuances and feelings of the 90s generation, intertwining groove and nostalgia in an authentic and recognizable way.
The pieces begin with arpeggios, with finger picking that immediately lead you to move your foot to be able to follow with your body that warm, Mediterranean rhythm that enters your veins. Beautiful Life it's a leap back to the Rome of the 2010s, between the clubs of Pigneto and San Lorenzo, in search of intimate and unforgettable concerts; a heartfelt reference to the songwriting projects that marked the era, come on Tiromancino (above all Scratch Your Back) to Silvestri's great successes.
The presentation amazed us with acoustic performances of the songs, where the refinement of the compositions emerged despite the lack of complete arrangements. In each piece you can perceive a refined sound, with attention to detail, which reveals the guitar mastery acquired from years of dedication to the instrument, which joins with lyrics that immerse themselves in the daily Roman universe, vividly describing the social hardship and the atmospheres of the neighborhoods that inspired the artist.
“Vitabella” was preceded by the singles “Benedetta malinconia”, “Ci balli su” and the title track. On November 6th in Rome, at Alcazar there will be the presentation of the album (and Montegro in full band).
THE LIST OF THE ACOUSTIC LIVE OF MONTEGRO IN ROME
- Hugs from via casilina
- I'm looking for you
- Beautiful life
- Scratch your back
- Blessed melancholy
Daniel D`Amico for SANREMO.FM
