At centre stage of Italy’s reggae scene is a Tuscan group called Quartiere Coffee, its name a tribute to the coffee shops of Amsterdam, and its members united by a love of Reggae and Rastafarian culture that goes back to their school days.

In a recent interview with the Corriere della sera, Giusy Ferreri spoke about her participation in this year’s ‘Festival di Sanremo’ – saying she has always seen music as the undercurrent or soundtrack to her life.

AN EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW TO SEGMENTO If all roads lead to Rome, then all roads lead to Max Gazzè. Having just returned from a successful world tour to promote his album Maximilian which included cities such as Los Angeles and Tokyo, the Roman artist has certainly broadened his already loyal fan following.

“Usami, straziami, strappami l’anima… (Use me, torture me, tear my soul…) mentre tutto scorre” (while everything flows away). It’s lyrics such as these partnered with a powerful underground rock sound infused with angst, power and love that has made Negramaro the success they are today.

I have known Mauro for years. Our mothers were work colleagues, and we often hung out together as teenagers, playing at being musicians. He played several instruments, including the accordion and the guitar. We both had long hair (yes, I once had long hair!) and we performed together in local rock bands.

I met Davide by chance, two years ago. I had just arrived in Australia and was trying to find musicians for the collaboration that would become ‘Santa Taranta’, the band that brought the Italian folk revival to Australia.

From the town festivals to the limelight of International music: the journey of an "uncool" instrument

The fire glowed against the soot covered walls, blackened from years of work. I watched Ignazio’s hands deftly manipulate a piece of metal as streams of sparks flew illuminating his weathered face. The sound of the hammer echoed throughout the dark room, flattening the piece of iron, giving rythm to this ritual: the birth of the Marranzanu. As if by magic, an inanimate object becomes a musical instrument, ready to provide solid accompaniment to a friend’s song, ring out over the crowds of summer festivals and come to life in the mouth of its owner.