Biography
Radiodervish was founded in Bari in 1997, an artistic partnership between Nabil Salameh and Michele Lobaccaro, who had been in the previous group, Al Darawish.
The diversity of their cultural origins gives life to songs that are like brief workshops for identifying connections between east and west. These pathways can be found in the symbols and legends of the various cultures around the Mediterranean, a frontier zone which unites and at the same time separates the peoples of the area.
The result is a refined musical portrait, a harmonious blend of melody and lyrics in Italian, Arabic, English and French, inspired by both the Arab and Western musical traditions.
This diversity is at the heart of both the originality and the innovation that sets them apart on the world music stage and on the Italian music scene.
Radiodervish have played at major festivals and venues throughout Italy (from the Tenco Prize at Sanremo to the festival at Villa Arconati in Milan, from Arezzo Wave to the Notte della Taranta), as well as top dates outside Italy: Beirut, Brussels, Athens, and at the prestigious Théâtre de l’Olympia in Paris.
In the six years they have been together, Alessandro Pipino has been a constant help with composition and arrangements, and they have played alongside a number of international musicians, including Noa, Amal Morkus, Rim Banna, Nicola Piovani, CSI, Jovanotti, Stewart Copeland Nazareth’s Arabian Orchestra.
Discography
Lingua contro lingua (Tongue against tongue) (1998 - Dischi del Mulo / PolyGram) presented at the Turin Music Salon and winner of the Premio Ciampi prize for the best debut album of the year.
In acustico (Acoustically) (2001 - Princigalli Produzioni/Cosmasola) a compilation of the group’s most famous tracks, from the early days as Al Darawish, recorded live at the Auditorium Vallisa in Bari.
Centro del Mundo (2002 - Cosmasola/Il Manifesto) coincided with the group’s greatest level of exposure and success on the Italian and international music scenes, acclaimed by both public and critics alike.
In search of Simurgh (2004 - Cosmasola/Il Manifesto) is a special project produced by Saro Cosentino and inspired by a classic of Sufi mystical literature, The Conference Of The Birds, by Farid ad din Attar (12th century).
Amara Terra Mia (2006 - RadioFandango, distribuito Edel).
L’immagine di te is the new album by for the Procacci-Senardi label, Radiofandango. It is also Nabil and Michele Lobaccaro’s first album produced by Franco Battiato.
Compilations and co-performances
Dolcefarniente (2000) on Jovanotti’s single, the medley version of Stella Cometa in a duet between Lorenzo and Nabil and the Arabic version sung by Nabil alone.
Italian Music Office 2003 (2003 - Arezzo Wave Management srl, Ondanomala records). Centro del Mundo was Radiodervish’s track on the compilation album which the Arezzo Wave festival brought out in honour of the new Italian music scene.
Harem’s Secret. Emotional and sensual oriental grooves (2004 - Soulstarrecords). Published in Germany by Gulbahar Kultur, a compilation of modern and traditional Oriental music, including Erevan, a track from the Centro del mundo album.
Films and videos
Taci, il nemico t’ascolta (Quiet, the enemy is watching you) (1998 - Dischi del Mulo / PolyGram) video clip directed by Ugo Pozzi, from the track of the same name from the Lingua contro Lingua album.
Li Beirut (2001) directed by Marco Preti, who specialises in travel documentaries, is the story of Nabil’s return to Beirut with Radiodervish, on the occasion of their participation at the Beirut music festival on 21st June 2001. The script of the documentary is by Marco Preti, Nabil himself and Massimo Zamboni.
La falena e la candela (2004 - Cosmasola / il Manifesto) directed by the New York videomaker Raphaele Shirley, compares and contrasts the sound of the new album with a series of strikingly innovative images.