Måneskin: 10 facts about Italy’s Eurovision 2021 group

Måneskin will represent Italy at Eurovision 2021 with their song “Zitti e buoni“.

The rock band from Rome earned the right to fly the Italian flag in Rotterdam after their surprise win at the annual Festival di Sanremo. Now, they’re heading to The Netherlands, with hopes of bringing Italy its first song contest victory since 1990.

We’ve compiled 10 facts you need to know about Måneskin. Let’s do this!

Italy at Eurovision 2021: Facts about Måneskin

1. They met at school

Victoria De Angelis (bass) and Thomas “Er Cobra” Raggi (guitar) have known each other since they both attended the same middle school. Although they knew of each other’s passion for music, they only became close in August 2015, while attending the J.F. Kennedy Scientific High School in Rome. It was then that they decided to start the band. They were later joined by singer Damiano David and drummer Ethan Torchio. The latter was recruited through a Facebook ad.

2. They’re Italian but their name is Danish

The four members chose to call themselves Måneskin by accident. As Victoria revealed, the band was looking for a name to enter a local music contest for emerging bands. “But we didn’t know what to call ourselves”. Then, the idea: since Victoria is half Danish, the research focused on a word of that language. And when the bassist pronounced “Måneskin” everyone fell in love with the sound and iconicity of it. So, much so, they undertook a trip to the Nordic country a few months later. In Danish, the word means ‘moonlight’. It brought good fortune. The band went on to win first prize at the contest. It was the beginning of a bright career.

 

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A post shared by Victoria De Angelis (@vicdeangelis)

3. Their singer shares his birthday with two rock icons

Måneskin’s 22-year-old singer Damiano David was born on January 8, 1999. Exactly 64 years earlier, on January 8, 1935, one of the most significant cultural icons of the 20th century was born: Elvis Presley, the King of Rock and Roll. A few years later, on January 8, 1947, it was the turn of The Thin White Duke David Bowie, another leading and influential figure in the music industry and one of the greatest artists of all time. Curiously enough, all three share the same date of birth with another figure, known for much more unflattering reasons: Kim Jong-un, leader of North Korea, born on January 8, 1984.

 

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A post shared by Damiano David (@ykaaar)

4. They started their career as buskers in Rome

Måneskin honed their craft in the heart of Rome, their city of origin. The hours of rehearsals in the studio were flanked by live performances for passers-by. You could hear them on the streets of the city’s historic centre, including the famous Via del Corso and the Colli Portuensi district.

5. They found fame on X Factor Italia

The general public got to know Måneskin during the eleventh season of X Factor Italia in 2017. On the talent show, they were coached by Manuel Agnelli, leader of the alternative rock band Afterhours. They were considered the favourites to win from their first audition onward. They eventually came second, behind pop tenor Lorenzo Licitra. But some of their performances on stage went viral, such as when they covered “Kiss This” by The Struts while Damiano was pole dancing wearing a pair of stiletto-heeled boots.

6. They share the same manager as two former Eurovision artists

Måneskin are undoubtedly a super talented bunch. But much of their success is also down to Marta Donà, their manager. She is recognized for her professionalism and ability to build credible careers for her artists, which are appreciated by the public and critics alike. Marta helms LaTarma Management, a team of women that deals with the promotion and consulting activities of artists and personalities related to the world of music and entertainment. She began her career in the field of management working alongside Marco Mengoni, her flagship artist. A few years later she began collaborating with Francesca Michielin. She seems to know the recipe for success!

 

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A post shared by Marta Donà (@ymartalatarma)

7. They’re inspired by Harry Styles

Interviewed by online magazine The Upcoming at the time of their London gig on 22 February 2019, Måneskin revealed the artists which have shaped their style. The four musicians admitted to having very different tastes, ranging from Bruno Mars to the Red Hot Chili Peppers via the Arctic Monkeys. But there is one name in particular on which they agree, the former One Direction singer Harry Styles. It is no coincidence that Måneskin have covered two songs of the singer: “Kiwi” and “Carolina“.

8. They spent a month touring Europe

In February 2019, Måneskin embarked on their first international tour with eleven dates in several European countries. They stopped in Barcelona and Madrid in Spain, Paris in France, Zurich, Bern and Lugano in Switzerland, Hamburg, Stuttgart and Munich in Germany, Brussels in Belgium and London in the United Kingdom. The experience was chronicled in a half-hour documentary on the band’s YouTube channel. In a moment of leisure between dates, they can be seen working on a beat for a new song. Damiano jokes with guitarist Thomas Raggi telling him: “Come on Thom, you’re going to win Sanremo”. Two years later, they won the coveted Sanremese golden lion.

9. They often mention the name Marlena in their songs

Måneskin mention the name Marlena on five tracks from their first studio album Il ballo della vita: “Torna a casa”, “Morirò da re”, “L’altra dimensione”, “Le parole lontane” and “Niente da dire”. Måneskin explained who Marlena was during a concert held in late 2018. She is not a physical person, but the personification of the message they want to launch with their music. She’s an ideal of freedom, life and creativity. She’s nothing more than an imaginary figure that encompasses all four members of the group and even the fans and listeners themselves. No secret love of the frontman or other band members, then. Marlena is everyone and no one at the same time. This remains a fundamental concept for Måneskin and, more generally, for the existence of us all.

10. They are among Italy’s most successful artists of recent years

In less than four years, Måneskin have already surpassed the milestone of one million copies between albums and singles. They’ve collected seventeen platinum records and six gold records in Italy. They have two number one albums (2018’s Il ballo della vita and 2021’s Teatro d’ira – Vol: 1), one number one single (“Torna a casa”) and three number two singles (“Chosen”, “Morirò da re” and “Zitti e buoni”).

Could Måneskin take the Eurovision trophy to Italy? What do you think of “Zitti e buoni”? Let us know in the comments.

Read more Eurovision 2021 artist facts here.