26 June, 2015 – “And on the banks of the Yang Tze, I’ll tell you that I do not want to see you cry,” goes the song by the 7grani trio formed in 2003 – members are the Settegrani brothers: Flavio (on bass) Fabrizio (voice, guitar and piano) and Mauro (guitar, banjo and mandolin). The song “Ragazza di Nanchino” is inspired by the 1937Nanjing Massacre, also known as the Rape of Nanking, when the Japanese invaded China and conquered the city (at that time the capital of the Republic of China) committing heinous crimes against women, old people and children. Ragazza di Nanchino attracted the attention of the Chinese media, and in March state television dedicated to 7grani a long service. Today the group is preparing for a new interview: on July 17, reporters from the Radio Beijing Corporation (RBC) will be in Milan to meet with Falvio, Fabrizio and Mauro. The service will be broadcast later on all company channels. 7grani are also expected to fly to China, when on September 26 – invited by the Chinese government – they will perform in Nanjing at the International Youth Festival. The three brothers – from a small town in the province of Como – have already received the praise of international audiences. Some of their songs have topped the web radio charts in the US, Australia and Europe: “We are delighted for this transnational success. It isn’t easy to make it abroad when you’re an Italian group that plays folk rock, a typically American and British genre – explains Flavio – that’s what makes us proud. Usually, Neapolitan songs represent Italian music in the world. But today the Chinese appreciate our music and Ragazza di Nanchino has intrigued audiences. Why would an Italian group sing of something that belongs to China’s historic memory? It’s distant for Italians, both geographically and in time, but the great thing about music is that it manages to combine and bring together different worlds.” “Ragazza di Nanchino – adds Flavio – is inspired by the 1937 crimes but it also wants to be a song dedicated to all women victims of violence.” With three released albums (the last of which is “Neve diventeremo” – an album dedicated to the memory of the Holocaust and the Resistance), 7grani boast numerous international experiences: “In 2006 our song ‘Universo fragile’ won first place in a network in Portland. It remained on the charts for several months – topping Alanis Morrisette and Elton John. In recent years we collaborated with international artists like Yolanda Martinez and have performed in Germany.” (Gil)
