MEMORIA ~ Blade Runner: The Rock Project

MEMORIA was formed in Rome, Italy in 1991, under the guidance of Marco Spatuzzi. Their repertoire of atmospheric rock spans the music genre, from New Age Music to Progressive Rock. The group recorded two albums, and toured extensively in Italy. By 2005, the group went through a line-up change giving us their current incarnation.

The writing and arranging of the Blade Runner Rock Project started in December of 2004. This labour of love saw it's debut in March of 2006 at the Nino Manfredi di Ostia, in Rome, Italy.

I stumbled upon this group in July of 2007 whilst surfing through the YouTube videos for Blade Runner fan-created material for the KippleZone YouTube Channel.

What caught my attention on YouTube that evening was Memoria’s concert footage from their show at the "Locanda Blues" in Rome of 2006. They were rocking-out to the movie Blade Runner projected between them on a big screen. I was absolutely blown away. So, I did an internet search and found their website and their MySpace.

Memoria presented a new way of viewing the neo-noir film Blade Runner. The idea was to translate, in music and in words, the over-industrialized; multi-ethnic; dehumanized; polluted environment; depiction of a dystopian future, with focus on the storyline, and the character's relationships and feelings.

The movie was projected on a screen accompanied with original music entirely composed by Memoria. It was rock oriented, but didn't neglect the ambiance of the cyberpunk film setting. The songs paired with the scenes, savoring every key element in the film. The music enhanced the vision, whilst the words reinforced the story.

I asked for Marco for an interview for KippleZone in late July of 2007. By August 10th, the article was completed. This was not only the beginning of a two year musical journey, it was the beginning of a friendship. This article contains that first interview, with updated material added.

Also included here is an article that covers the creative process involved writing the lyrics to this project called, "Behind the Words".

Visit the Blade Runner Rock website, and feast your eyes and ears on this meticulously crafted work. A cd is soon to follow.