Raiz: “Naples melancholic and ancient, to be preserved from tourist commodification”

Raiz chose the Teatro Palladium in Garbatella, Rome, which is celebrating its twentieth anniversary with the return of "Words Are Not Enough," a format combining books and music in five events starting January 26. He explained how writing, music, and theatrical performance are interconnected, highlighting how the pandemic pushed him to explore new territories, leading him to write his first book.

Gennaro Della Volpe, known as Raiz, frontman of Almamegretta and author of the book “Il bacio di Brianna”.

The artist wanted to pay homage to Sergio Bruni, who has influenced him since childhood and whose roots are evident in his vocals. The album “Si ll'ammore è 'occuntrario d''a morte” opens with the song “Napole dolceamara”, which captures the contradictions of the city and represents not only Naples, but many other cities in Southern Italy, Spain and Greece.

Naples is experiencing a period of great visibility thanks to the return of the Scudetto and the increase in tourism. Raiz emphasizes the need not to give in too easily to tourist demands, but to maintain an authentic and balanced approach.

The singer emphasizes the ancient and complex identity of Naples, which also influences the music and makes melancholy a fundamental expressive element.

According to Raiz, Neapolitan music is going through a great moment of revitalization, with artists like Geolier who draw from the roots of tradition to create a modern and personal version.

Raiz reveals that he is not a professional actor, but his involvement in the TV series “Mare Fuori” allowed him to explore the world of acting in a natural and instinctive way. The importance of the soundtrack and the impact of the characters in the series contributed to its great success.

Finally, the artist reflects on the importance of maintaining an authentic and balanced approach not only in the world of music, but also in the tourist and identity sphere of Naples.