The official hashtag of the Living Roots Music Festival in Fredericton, NB is #showyourroots. Toronto-based artist Andrea Ramolo embodies this term perfectly. Her multimedia project, “The South,” comprised of a documentary and an EP, showcases Ramolo’s Italian roots. It’s a fascinating journey, and I was fortunate to attend both a screening of the documentary and a live performance on Saturday, June 8th.
The screening took place in the afternoon at Fredericton’s Beaverbrook Art Gallery. I was immediately captivated by the immersive videography. As a first-generation Italian Canadian, Ramolo grew up with traditions, music, and cuisine passed down through her family. The urge to dig deeper into her roots led to the creation of “The South.” The film features a group of elders who speak of a legend where a spider bite would induce a hysteric state called Tarantism. Local shamans, who were musicians, would perform a ritual involving dance and music to provide an “exorcism,” often lasting for days.
The documentary also centers around Ramolo’s collaboration with Kalàscima, a musical group from Salento, Southern Italy. Their music serves as the soundtrack, carrying the viewer from scene to scene. The artists found common musical ground to explore traditional Italian music, making it a journey of personal growth for Ramolo. “The South” won the 45th Canadian Ethnic Media Award for “Best Documentary.” I highly encourage you to attend a screening.
Later that day, Ramolo performed a concert at Hanson Road Flower Co., following a great opening set by Fredericton local Jasmine Michel. This unique venue provided a memorable setting, and Ramolo noted that performing in a flower shop was a first for her. There wasn’t an empty seat, and I ended up standing at the back with festival organizer Eddie Young for most of the concert. Cell phones were tucked away, and everyone seemed to take in the moment. Ramolo has a unique ability to stop time with her performance. Personal highlights included her renditions of “Free” and “Italian Summer” from her 2021 album “Quarantine Dream,” as well as a collaboration with Jasmine Michel to finish the night. The Living Roots community is so fortunate to have witnessed this performance.
Ramolo’s Danelectro baritone guitar is the perfect companion to her voice, providing depth with its lower notes. While she admits to sometimes feeling limited by the instrument, she believes it keeps the emphasis on the song’s message. Andrea Ramolo has been visiting New Brunswick since 2008, and I can’t wait for her next visit!
Ollie LeBlanc, based in Fredericton, New Brunswick, discovered his love for music in his parents' basement with a box of classic rock LPs. A lifelong fan, his fascination with music has only grown over the past three decades as a musician. Ollie has worn many hats, including bassist, producer, engineer, and photographer. As he matures, his journey has become more about contributing to the musical community and sharing its richness. What better way to give back to the medium that has given him so much!
