Domenico Castaldo & Figurelle Okestar is not your typical Emergenza band—they developed out of a musical theatre show called Figurelle. Stories, Songs, Apparitions put on by Theater Company LabPerm sull’Arte dell’Attore, directed by Domenico Castaldo and active in Turin since 1997. In case you were wondering, the name Figurelle comes from the Neopolitan word Fi’urelle, which translates to something like figures or impressions. And that’s exactly what their songs are. Impressions. Each one is a small window into a dreamy, fictitious world, based in the popular reality of the South of Italy, and as they say, steeped in drama, poetry and humanity. This totally unique musical narrative is carried out by a massive line-up of talented musicians, singers and actors, including: Rui Albert Padul on guitar and voice, Domenico Castaldo percussion voice, Paolo Moreschi guitar and voice, Fabio Rosso accordion, Marta Laneri bass drum and voice, and Alessandro Borroni, Katia Capato, Ginevra Giachetti, and Francesca Netto on voice and other small instruments. Their eight-track debut album—recorded partially in VEROSOUND STUDIO and partially live on stage—gives you a taste of what Figurelle Okestar is all about without having to go to the theatre. They’ve even got a video for the opening track on the album “FOLKASSALTO” that can be streamed on YouTube. This one sets a positive tone to the album with its jubilant rhythm, uplifting play of human voices, hilarious sound effects and catchy melody. But there are more serious moments as well, like on the very melancholy and moving “Salvatore”. Over the last two years The Figurelle Okestar has toured throughout Italy in theaters and festivals and are about to stop off at The Audiodrome in Turin to put on a spectacular show for the semifinals of Emergenza Festival Italia. Touch base with us at Emergenza.net for more details.


MC