Torino to The Max!

This is the first part of a series of articles I would like to devote to the amazing city of Torino (Turin), Italy which I have visited several times and lived, over two years – its vibrant life, its culture, its sporting teams, its music, its famous places, its food and wine and the most important asset that makes every city in the world what it is, its people.

Having traveled over several cities and countries around the globe, I have realized that each of those trips was made special by the people who lived there, whom I interacted with, who were willing to share with me some of the secrets of their life, their city and above all, their warmth. Although I have made several friends in Torino, I have made some special connections for life – ready to go out on a limb only to help me, however small or big the tasks or tribulations I faced. There are quite a few to name here…

So let me just start by writing about one of the most ‘amazingest’ (I know this word doesn’t exist, but you get my point) evenings gallivanting on the streets of Torino and among the several pubs and bistros that make this city unique for its nightlife and night creatures.

I was in Torino in December 2008 for one of our annual 4 day Turin Chamber of Commerce conventions, where 14 country desks, including yours truly from India participated. At the end of the convention, which was fabbbbbulous, my friend Fabrizio, being a good host and knowing exactly what I wanted to do that evening, decided to take me to a few of the best Torino pubs. I was to leave Torino around 12.30 am and take a train to Latina (Lazio) as my Secretary General was being felicitated by the mayor of that city the next evening.

Max and I at his Studio

I don’t remember exactly what time Fabrizio and I started bar-hopping that evening, but the sun was still up. He knew a LOT of people, who were meeting more friends somewhere else and we simply followed and the gathering increased in size, going from one bistro / pub to another. What I vividly remember that evening was the meeting with Massimiliano Casacci!

Subsonica's Practice Studio

Massimiliano, better known as Max, is a guitarist, producer and founder of the popular band, 'Subsonica'. My friend, Cristian had gifted me a couple of Italian CDs on his last visit to Mumbai, namely, ‘Litfiba’ (an eclectic mix of punk, new wave and rock sounds influenced by Mediterranean vibes) and ‘Subsonica’. Subsonica, formed in Torino in 1996, gained real success at the Sanremo Music Festival in 2000. Cristian’s CD, ‘Microchip emozionale’ had a couple of super hit songs, "Tutti i miei sbagli" ("All my mistakes") and "Discolabirinto" ("Disco Labyrinth"), amongst other brilliant compositions, which are still popular. This album won the PIM (Italian Music Award) for the Best Album and Best Band and went platinum later. Subsonica also won the 2000 MTV Music Award in Stockholm for the Best Italian Group.

My friend, Fabrizio himself (more about him in later blogs) is a mean bass guitarist with his own band called ‘Mambassa’ http://www.mambassa.com / http://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mambassa going from strength-to-strength playing across Italy and have now released 5 albums – the last one called ‘LP’ was released on 26th October, 2010 for EMI Italian and has several hit songs playing on MTV Italia all day long.

Ok. Coming back to my meeting with Max… Obviously, I was super excited like a school kid meeting with a celebrity. Imagine the chances of meeting a celebrity in a country like Italy, in a simple bar drinking a beer when you yourself don’t speak the language that well to begin with! So, I was fortunate that Fabrizio was with me and that Max happened to know Fabrizio well and he was there! Well, I was a fan of Subsonica (although I didn’t understand a word of what was being said, but then music doesn’t need only language to enjoy it, does it?), but what followed that evening later, made me Max’s fan for life!

Max and I at his studio

After have a few beers and trying to understand Max’s broken English with Fabrizio at times playing translator, Max decided to direct us out of the place. I initially thought we were heading out to just another pub. We happened to walk towards Piazza Vittorio (Veneto) and entered one of the buildings with their vast gates, but leading to a small courtyard. The next thing I knew, I was standing in the practice studio of ‘Subsonica’!!! I had never ever been inside a music studio of any sort and my eyes bulged when I realized where I was. Lots of LPs, CDs, musical instruments, electronic devices, wires, pictures, posters, etc. were all over the place. But, what caught my eye was the MTV Music Award won by Subsonica in 2000! Obviously, I couldn’t wait to touch it. I lifted it and it was really heavy for a music award. Uff! We chatted some more and realized that it was only minutes for my train’s departure to Latina.

Max and I with his MTV Music Award for Best Italian Band - Stockholm 

I profusely thanked Max and left for home to get my suitcase with Fabrizio in his Vespa, but not before I received an autographed CD from Max…. more thank yous followed. I picked up my heavy suitcase, wedged it between Fabrizio and me on the Vespa and sped! Both of us ran, shouting at the top of our voice (our inebriated voice – ahem!) to the station master to hold the train…

Wow! What an evening! Grazie Torino!

P.S. – I managed to make it to Latina on that train at 7.30 AM and my Secretary General came to pick me up at the station.

And ------ would love to get Subsonica and Mambassa invited to India !!! They're both fantastic!