This year, Italy takes center stage as the focus country of ESNS (Eurosonic Noorderslag). This means a larger delegation of participating artists and a spotlight on Italy’s music industry as a whole. In the lead-up to ESNS, our Far Out podcast series introduced four Italian acts that beautifully represent the country’s diverse and vibrant musical landscape.
Happy-making melancholia: Puá
In the first episode of Far Out, we meet Edoardo Elia (Edo), the driving force behind the psychedelic folk band Puá. Based in Rome, Edo has created a collaborative project where he partners with various artists. Puá’s debut album, for instance, was recorded with artist and singer Simona Catalani. Currently, he’s working alongside the artist Koko Moon.
For Edo, working within a collective is essential— to survive and thrive as an artist. This philosophy led him to co-found Studio Pom Pom with fellow musicians. Here, artists collaborate on individual projects while supporting each other creatively, fostering a true community spirit.
Uniting creative powers: Parblue
Collaboration is also at the heart of Parblue, a project spearheaded by artists Andres Balbucea and Andrea De Fazio. Together with a rotating lineup of musicians, Parblue crafts a multicultural sonic experience. Their sound is a vibrant blend of dynamic disco, futuristic funk, cinematic jazz fusion, and sun-soaked influences from Caribbean dub, Latin tropicalia, and Afrobeat.
Parblue frequently seeks partnerships beyond Italy’s borders. Last summer, they released several tracks in collaboration with Rotterdam-based multi-instrumentalist Arp Frique (this year also at ESNS 2025), adding even more layers to their already rich and diverse sound.
Maria Chiara Argirò: Pushing Boundaries
Based in London, Italian-born Maria Chiara Argirò is known for her dramatic and atmospheric jazz. Her work explores new dimensions by incorporating electronic soundscapes and vocals, creating a fusion that is both innovative and evocative. Maria is unafraid to venture into interdisciplinary collaborations, blending her music with art to craft unique experiences.
Aurora D’Amico: A Transatlantic Connection
Aurora D’Amico’s musical journey officially began in 2015 at the iconic Bluebird Café in Nashville, Tennessee, where she performed for an American audience for the first time. This debut marked the beginning of a deep and enduring connection with the U.S. that continues to shape her career today
Explore more
If you’d like to immerse yourself in the sounds of these four remarkable artists, check out our Far Out Groningen x Italy playlist on Spotify. There, we’ve brought together tracks from all the musicians featured in our podcast series, offering a vibrant taste of Italy’s contemporary musical landscape.
The full conversations with the 4 Italian acts, with even more insights into surviving and thriving as an artist in 2025, is now available in the Far Out podcast series. With Far Out, we aim to dive into diverse music and art scenes, featuring live sessions, music videos, deep conversations, and personal stories that showcase the creative journeys of our guests. The podcast explores the evolving world of music and culture, highlighting the challenges and opportunities artists face today. It delves into themes such as digital innovation, mental health, diversity, inclusion, and the rise of new revenue models and streaming platforms. Far Out serves as a platform for artists to share experiences, exchange ideas, and navigate the rapidly changing music industry.
This project is powered and supported by Kunstraad and the municipality of Groningen, Poppodium VERA, Stichting Frequenzy, and Studio Mojo Dojo.
Photo header: Dimitris Lambridis