RVTC´s Blend Series

RVTC's Blend Series

We dedicate the first mix of our Blend Series, of course, to Italo Pop. To give musical expression to all the feelings and longings we have for this espresso, we invited Ferry Mohr to record a mix, which we then pressed onto vinyl. Ferry, who lives between Düsseldorf, Milan, and Bologna, transports us precisely to those places with his selection of Italian music. 45 minutes of music that evokes a melancholic longing for long, warm spring days in Italy, while also highlighting the diverse facets of rich Italian music. In the interview with Mohr, that's exactly what it's about: melancholy, wanderlust, and a few tips on how to counteract them.

RVTC Radio · RVTC´s Blend Series - Italo Pop w/ Ferry Mohr (Radio Tedesco)

What was your thought process behind the mix? What criteria did you use to make your selection?

Ferry: I spent a longer time in Italy again in mid-April. Part of the mix reflects my anticipation of warmer temperatures and the brighter, longer days in Bologna. Since spring weather was still slow to arrive in Germany at the time of my selection, there are also a few more melancholic tracks included. I usually select intuitively and don't pay much attention to genres, rhythm, etc.

Where does your enthusiasm for Italian music come from?

Ferry: I grew up very Italo-philic. My aunt moved to Bologna in the 80s for her doctorate and ended up staying there. Since then, she's always been the first port of call for family holidays, road trips, etc. So I had an Italo-connection from an early age. During my studies, I did an exchange semester in Milan. During the COVID period, I moved to Italy and have since lived between Düsseldorf, Milan, and Bologna. Italians are very emotional and master the art of articulating these feelings. Accordingly, the lyrics of many songs are very profound and definitely have a poetic inclination. Added to that is the phonetics of the language – Italian is, for me, the most beautiful language in the world. That, in combination with the musical pioneering work in Italy in the 70s and 80s, has created outstanding and moving tracks.

How do you look for music? What kind of music are you looking for?

Ferry: YouTube is an inexhaustible source for discovering Italian music for me. Online radio stations like NTS or Callshop accompany my daily office work. I often come across interesting pieces in the shows played there. I search across many genres, often let myself drift, and then, if applicable, find a niche that I find particularly interesting. Currently, for example, I've discovered my love for Italo Prog Rock from the 70s to 90s.

What does Italian music evoke in you?

 

Ferry: Italian music is a refuge from everyday life for me and quickly transports me back to situations I've already experienced in Italy. If I listen to "Il Mio Canto Libero" by Lucio Battisti, for example, I'm instantly sitting in a small boat in the bay of Castiglioncello. Next to me are my friends from Empoli, Cosimo, Federica, and Lorenzo. It's golden hour, 28 degrees. We're all singing along, eating focaccia, Insalata Caprese, and drinking chilled white wine.

 

Is there a specific era that particularly interests you musically?

Ferry: I'm particularly interested in music from the 60s, 70s, and 80s, a time in Italy characterized by economic boom, emancipation, and freedom.

Which region in Italy particularly interests you?

Ferry: Bologna is like a second home to me. It's a young, vibrant, yet dreamy city that harbors a great subculture in terms of music, fashion, and art. I don't know any other city with such a magical appeal. Generally, however, I'm interested in all of Italy, whether Rome, Naples, or Milan.

What's the deal with Radio Tedesco?

 

Ferry: The radio show Radio Tedesco encapsulates all my answers to these questions. It reflects my Italian past, my love for, and my interest in Italy. I play exclusively Italian music.

Finally, how do you prefer your coffee on your trips to Italy?

Ferry: Caffè Americano, black :-))

Tracklist:

  1. Mauro Pagani - La fata
  2. Edda Dell’Orso, Ennio Morricone - Coiffeur pour dames
  3. Piero Umiliani - Oltre l’acqua del fiume
  4. Nada - Confiteor
  5. Silvana Simone - Spontaneamente
  6. Lapera - Tentativo d’evasione
  7. Gruppo 2001 - Era bello insieme a te
  8. Lucio Battisti - Due mondi
  9. Umberto Rosario Balsamo - Crepuscolo
  10. Lapera - Catarsi
  11. CCCP - L’andazzo Generale
  12. Alan Sorrenti - Incrociando Il Sole
  13. Don Bernini - Ikebana
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