#devo andare

Avida perfectly fit in with a kind of underground music that was getting all the rage in Italy in those days: nonsense music (musica demenziale). The structures were intentionally primitive, often made on cheap electronics. Maurizio Dami’s vocals , inspired on early 60s Italian singers (to carry on and close the typical 20 years cycle of revivals), such as Edoardo Vianello, had an appealing mix of trash and humour. Avida was essentially a live band. Their performances were a mix of theatre and music, where visuals played a major role. Anyway, today some of that music still sounds interesting and not only due to its lyrics. “Il Grillo E La Formica - The cricket and the ant” is a cruel rock interpretation of a popular Tuscan rhyme, telling an awful story, some genuine piece of Tuscany Horror! “Vogli Uscire - I want to get out” is the most subtly ironic, in its crude electro-existential style – so hip in those days. “Vorrei Tanto - I would so much love” is probably the most emblematic track : witty nonsense lyric and pure minimal electro music. “Il Vento - ” is a popular Italian song from the 60s by Lucio Battisti, rendered with ice-cold despair by Maurizio. The only 7’ by Avida (published by Materiali Sonori in 1982) contains 2 tracks: “La bustina” and “A’fumme mariuà”, not included in this compilation. The reason why they were not included is that the rhyme and meaning of their lyric have a crucial significance that can only be fully appreciated by Italian listeners.