A singer-songwriter in the truest sense of the word, with a successful musical career and undisputed mastery of songwriting : this Friday the 22nd at the Jester Club in Cagliari, Marlene Kuntz frontman Cristiano Godano will bring his show "Words and Music" to the city's audiences. The show is at 10 pm, a new date for the Sardignitalia festival.
With the Marlenes
Godano had just seen his Jack on Fire band break up when, in 1989, he was contacted by drummer Luca Bergia and guitarist Riccardo Tesio to form a band, for which they also recruited bassist Franco Ballatore. Alex Astegiano joined on vocals, but was soon replaced by Godano, now taking over as singer and guitarist. All that was missing was a name, and by combining the name of the diva Dietrich with the title of a song by the American Butthole Surfers, the result was Marlene Kuntz. The group also overcame Ballatore's departure and released their debut album, "Catartica" (1994), whose loud, abrasive rock was embellished with poetic, impactful lyrics, thanks in part to their partnership with the Consorzio Produttori Indipendenti. The second half of the 1990s saw them further establish themselves in the Italian alternative scene, with albums such as "Il Vile" (1996) and "Ho Ucciso Paranoia" (1999), and defined by the writer Enrico Brizzi as "the only Italian rock group".
Over the next decade, they continued to release critically acclaimed and popular works, including literary experiments, soundtracks, tributes, and collaborations (including with Skin and Paolo Conte). By softening their sound toward indie rock, Marlene even appeared at Sanremo Music Festival in 2012 with "Canzone per un figlio," and dueted with Patti Smith. In 2016, with their new album "Lunga attesa," the band returned to their roots, embodying a political voice that blossomed between the 2010s and 2020s, participating in initiatives such as May Day, World Environment Day, and the Sardine Square protests. In 2023, longtime drummer Bergia passed away prematurely, on the eve of the thirtieth anniversary of their debut album.
Beyond the band
Alongside leading the group, Godano has also put his art into writing, debuting in 2008 with the collection of short stories "I vivi," followed in 2010 by "Il vuoto," in 2019 by "Nuotando nell'aria," defined as Marlene Kuntz's "anomalous autobiography," and finally by "Il suono della rabbia" in 2024. He has also released solo albums, with the albums "Mi ero perso il cuore" (2020) and "Stammi accanto" (2025). Above all, since 2010, he has also toured Italy with his individual project "Parole e Musica," a show in which Godano, accompanied by a moderator, retraces the salient phases of his career in music and literature, accompanying himself on the guitar with reinterpretations and repertoire from Marlene. In a conversation that ranges from social issues to current affairs and discography, the author immerses viewers in his artistic universe.