Event Coverage: RDM Records & Romina Daniele at Supersound Faenza
A report on the "Sonic Generation" festival and M.E.I. independent label meeting. This review analyzes the performance of Romina Daniele as a departure from traditional alternative rock toward avant-garde electronic and vocal research.
D. Riva / L. Marranini
9/26/20112 min read
RDM Records at Supersound – The Sonic Generation of the 2000s
Supersound is the festival held in Faenza from September 23 to 25, dedicated to the "sonic generation of the 2000s" (Ref. 1)—an expression referring to the new generation of independent music. It also served as a venue for the M.E.I. (Meeting of Independent Labels), where participants exhibited their materials at the Palazzo delle Esposizioni and Piazza del Popolo. Across four stages in the historic center, independent bands and contest winners performed continuously from 3:00 PM to 10:00 PM daily (Ref. 2).
We visited Faenza for this occasion—which precedes the main M.E.I. event usually held in late November (moving from Faenza to Bari this year). The event was populated by small and medium-sized labels, cultural associations, promotion agencies, and media duplicators. It was also marked by a significant number of artists personally managing promotional stands, alongside the usual flow of musicians distributing demos and branded CDs in search of a valid contract.
The stages featured independent bands largely oriented toward rock-based expression in both Italian and English. At that moment, RDM Records was the only entity representing a focus on electronic music from the perspective of sonic and vocal research. Consequently, its stand drew considerable curiosity. Similarly, the performance by Romina Daniele—held Sunday evening at 8:00 PM at the Palazzo delle Esposizioni—captivated the audience and drew many attendees from across the exhibition area.
The performance represented a literal "break" from the continuity of Italian alternative rock. It featured the sharp incisiveness, contrasts, and occasional phlegmatic qualities that characterize Daniele's vocals and music—a singular research activity that overflows from every sound. The new project, Spannung (Ref. 3), which she has been presenting recently, appears even more reflective and devoted to existential research compared to her previously released projects (Ref. 4).
The event left a distinct mark on the audience, industry professionals, and all those present, who watched the charismatic performance with manifest attention and seriousness. Below is a video released by RDM featuring fragments of the four pieces performed: three originals by Daniele (Echo from the second album Aisthànomai, and the unreleased Matter and Resonance from the upcoming project) and an original reworking of the contemporary jazz classic Summertime from Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess. As this reworking remains unreleased, we will leave the surprise for those attending future live presentations of this new project. [D. Riva / L. Marranini]
Related Articles:
ROMINA DANIELE, SPANNUNG PERFORMANCE (2011.07.15)
English References (Citations)
Reference: Event posters, promotional materials, and official brochures from Supersound Faenza.
Meeting of Independent Labels: Official records available at www.meiweb.it.
Project Documentation: See the previous press release on this site: ROMINA DANIELE, SPANNUNG PERFORMANCE (2011.07.15) and comprehensive project details on the official Romina Daniele artist website.
Discography: The complete discography, including streaming and purchase links, is available on the dedicated artist page.
