Ex-Otago: “In the heat of the moment, we prefer a book on the beach”

Four years of silence, one last concert just before the lockdown, it was February 15, 2020 in Genoa, on that stage they celebrated their career. Then a pandemic, the solo album by the voice Maurizio Carucci, difficult personal moments, there are those who have started a family, those who have also structured themselves on other work fronts, all changes which, as often happens in families, can lead to undertaking different paths, but then, at a certain point, they find each other again and rekindle the magic. Ex-Otago are back with “Auguri”, their new album. The ten tracks in the tracklist (“John Fante”, one of the most beautiful songs is only in the physical version) tell particular life stories: extraordinary narratives of ordinary existences. A mirror that reflects the edges and curves of reality, in which the band immerses itself in search of a sense of belonging: a life made of loves lost and found again with moments of awareness generated by a tireless search for meaning in those that surround us . A pop record, produced by Roberto Colombo, with content.

“We went through many phases – says the Genoese band led by Maurizio Carucci, with Simone Bertuccini, Olmo Martellacci and Rachid Bouchabla and the new entry Giorgia Sudati – even those of an internal crisis, for disparate reasons. We had to understand what to do as adults and not it was banal. Sometimes you lose the magic of everyday life like in couples, but the distance helped. Covid sawed off everyone's legs, but once the wounds were healed we looked at each other and realized that we still wanted to be together and above all that we still had something to say. This was the reason that pushed us to move forward. There was still petrol in the tank and these songs are proof of this.” In recent years the band has experienced another significant moment: the farewell, after 13 years, of guitarist and bassist Francesco Bacci. “We were very sorry. Fra's exit was a sort of Otago mourning, but that's what life is also about. Giorgia didn't replace him, because Otago don't replace themselves. Each Otago has always brought a color into the band and the project, and once that color goes away it's no longer there. We never had the intention and desire to replace him. But now there is and will be Giorgia who will bring another color and transform the project again”, continues Carucci.

“Best wishes” is an evocative word, which they primarily address to themselves. “For the title we also bothered the Latin, in the meaning of 'to grow', or in our case to become grown up and aware – continues Carucci – it is an album of stories, intimate, which talks about us and strips us of our fragility, it is a reassuring record for our audience, because it sees us returning, but which deals with thorny issues such as estrangement, disconnection from reality, believing. The word best wishes is dear to us also for other reasons: it reminds us of grandparents, trips with parents, throws us straight into relationships with people.”

In “Auguri” there are three collaborations: Olly, Coma Cose and Fabri Fibra. “They are all, first and foremost, friends. With Fibra we created a piece that became 'a hit', as they say today, entitled 'Stelle', we have always followed and supported Coma Cose, even before the success, Olly is one of the most interesting pens to come out of our city – admits Carucci – it's not obvious, today many kids chase numbers or success, focusing less on the content, Olly on the other hand has another approach, he believes in what he writes and does, regardless of the rest. This vision unites us.” Ex-Otago are also ready to return live with the Auguri Tour Estate 2024, 11 summer events starting on May 25th from Milan at the Mi Ami Festival and with the special date of July 12th scheduled in Genoa. “A dedication to our city which is changing and points to a future that does not always represent us”, concludes the group.