Marco Calliari

EN.
Marco Calliari was born in Quebec, but he has never strayed far from his Italian roots. Growing up with his famiglia, he was surrounded with the melodies of the opera, until at age 14, he began to follow a very different sound: wild, screaming heavy metal! It is at that time that he co-founded, with his friends, one of the most interesting metal groups in Quebec, “Anonymus”. In 2006, after more than 15 years and five solid albums, Marco ended this important musical adventure to fully throw himself into his own thriving solo career, which he began to pursue in 2003.

His first composition a festive album, Che La Vita, borders what can be called World Music, Jazz, poetic music, with all the lyrics and music written by Marco -- and all in Italian. Che La Vita has sold over 25 000 copies in a primarily French speaking environment.

After this ground breaking success, Marco recorded his second solo album Mia Dolce Vita, in which he remakes his own versions of traditional Italian songs, including L’italiano, Bella Ciao and L’Americano. Released in November 2006, the album, to date, has sold over 45 000 copies in Quebec. Marco’s interpretation of the classic L’Americano has been selected for a Putumayo compilation called Italia 2, released in 2009. A remix by MC MARIO hits the air 2010 on Mix 96.
In 2007, the industry began to recognize Marco’s talent, awarding him the Prix Étoiles Galaxie (CBC) during the Emerging Music Festival in Rouyn-Noranda (2004), and in 2005, the bourse RIDEAU event (The Independent Network of United Artistic Events Promoters). In 2005 and 2007, Marco Calliari was among the nominees at the Gala de l’ADISQ in the “Album of the year – World music” category.

Summer 2008 saw Marco host the opening night of the Francofolies of Montreal with a variety of musical guests, and was broadcast live on TV5 World. He also was invited to perform in a very special show, side-by-side with some of Quebec’s greatest artists, in front of dignitaries and an audience of nearly one million people, as part of the 400th anniversary of Quebec City celebrations!

In September 2008, Marco Calliari released a new compilation of his first two records for the European market, distributed in France, Switzerland, Italy and Germany. Touring in Europe, he performed in large stadiums in Florence and Milan with Bandabardò, famed for their lively stage shows. Since then Marco is going back and forth between Canada, Europe and New York exploring new grounds.

During these travels, Marco Calliari found inspiration for his third album. In February 2009, he isolated himself at the far end of Gaspésie. In Cap d’Espoir, at a lighthouse keeper’s old cottage, he devoted himself to writing and composing. One year later, following a meticulous pre-production phase, Calliari recorded his new album in March, 2010, which included 40 studio sessions over four months, with the help of 30 musicians, and the production of internationally-known Stacy Le Gallee, which gave the new album a warm, organic sound. The new release is titled “Al Faro Est” (“At the Eastern Lighthouse”) and will be available in Canada on October 5, 2010. The album features two precious guests: the Algerian-born Montreal singer Nedjim Bouizzoul (Labess), and Enrico Greppi from the Italian band Bandabardò. The new album will make you rediscover all of Marco Calliari’s legendary energy.

Quebec-famous DJ MC Mario has remixed Marco’s interpretation of “L’Americano” (from Mia Dolce Vita). The remix was one of the hits of the summer of 2010, was aired in clubs and radios, and generated interest abroad in the UK and Germany. To date, the video of the remix counts over 500,000 times on YouTube.

FR.
Marco Calliari est né au Québec, mais il n'a jamais oublié ses racines italiennes. En grandissant dans sa famiglia, il a été entouré des mélodies de l'opéra, jusqu'à 14 ans, où il a commencé à suivre un son très différent : sauvage, criant, heavy métal! C’est à ce moment qu'il fonde, avec ses amis, un des groupes métal les plus intéressants du Québec, "Anonymus". En 2006, après plus de 15 ans et cinq albums solides, Marco termine cette aventure musicale importante pour se consacrer entièrement sur sa propre carrière solo grandissante, qu'il a débutée en 2003.

Son premier album de composition, Che La Vita, se veut festif et touche ce qui peut être appelé la Musique du Monde, le Jazz manouche, avec un soupçon de poésie. Toutes les paroles et la musique sont écrites par Marco - le tout en italien. Che Vita La s’est vendu à plus de 25 000 copies dans un environnement principalement francophone.

Après ce grand succès, Marco a enregistré son deuxième album solo Mia Dolce Vita, dans lequel il interprète ses propres versions de chansons italiennes traditionnelles, y compris L'italiano, Bella Ciao et L'Americano. Sorti en novembre 2006, l'album, jusqu'à présent, s’est écoulé à plus de 45 000 copies au Québec. L'interprétation de Marco du classique L'A