Modà
Come Un Pittore

Last night I read an interesting book: it tells the story of the rise to the top of the charts of MODÀ, written by the founder and frontman Kekko Silvestre. He himself wrote this autobiography, sharing with great openness and sincerity how much he had to sweat to become famous.
I already know what you're thinking: this is not about reviewing the music (I have never voluntarily listened to even half a song), but rather the narrative style of the book and the plot. As was predictable after all the hard work he did to achieve success, he gets quite a few things off his chest. We would all do it, I believe, but I hope not in these ways.

The truth is this: at 16, when you've written your first songs, your little rock band seems the best in the world to you.  And you get pissed off when people don't agree with you. Who could ever be when you record your first demo inside the hood of a running tractor? How can you not be blinded by all that quality? Fortunately, sooner or later you grow up and arrogance gives way to more moderate satisfaction and the awareness that you have the compositional ability to get some girls. But our protagonist rejects all this. At twenty-five, he is firmly convinced that his band is the best, and gets upset when (as he himself states) no producer is interested in a band that resembles thousands of others that have been on the charts for much longer. What we see here is an impulsive character who loses his temper after 5 seconds, doesn't mind fighting with those who, during concerts, suggest he quit music and take up horse racing or some healthier hobbies, admits he is very stubborn and proud... basically all he lacks is swearing and drinking like an alpine soldier and we'd have the ideal pop star! In fact, there are quite a few swear words, yet not a single one is necessary to emphasize a concept. They're thrown in there randomly, like the K's in his name. Another thing that emerges from the book is the fact that real success came when the band signed with "Ultrasuoni", a sort of Holding/Record Company set up by three of the largest national radios.

In short: these radios agreed to play the music they themselves produce. (the reason is simple: with each play, they earn money from SIAE rights) Therefore, Modà found themselves constantly programmed hundreds of times a day, and soon after, success was inevitable.
This singer/songwriter earns all my respect, he won and achieved his dream; quite a feat considering the music industry is one of the toughest to climb. And he is not ashamed, in fact with candor and lightness he talks about how he "sold" himself to the major labels, first by changing his look of which he was proud (haircut, image, sneakers) then by having his songs rearranged, and even accepting that the words to his songs be changed (a songwriter in these cases would rather suffer assault). Plus, with the predictable move of ceding the music publishing contract to Ultrasuoni his moral integrity and dignity end up under a bridge, but he's happy, indeed, he's very proud of it all. Enough to write a book about it.

And in the last chapter (where you can find the intellectual reflections) he wonders why the singer of Negramaro has it in for him: after you steal his musical style, you steal his radio space... you basically steal his work by blatantly copying it... are you surprised that when you meet him he doesn't even greet you?  Haha! You’re too much! Again, I have never listened to even one song by this group, but if they are composed with the same style in which this book is written, then I made a very wise choice. In conclusion: like in all children's books, we can also find a moral in this one. Just don’t explain it to him, he'll figure it out himself when he's a bit older.