Satellite Inn

Satellite Inn

Satellite Inn is an Italian folk rock group that forms in 1999 and signs to MoodFood Records. The band records and performs in English, and its music draws on traditional American styles while remaining rooted in an independent rock setting.

Early recordings and touring

The group’s first album, Cold Morning Songs, receives positive attention and is heard beyond Italy, including across Europe and on Australian radio. In 1999, Satellite Inn appears at the CMJ Music Festival in New York and tours the upper East Coast, sharing bills with acts including The Bigger Lovers, Valve and The Knobs. By the end of 1999 and into early 2001, the band tours Italy and Europe, building a reputation at home despite its non-Italian sound and English-language performances.

In March 2001, Satellite Inn begins a U.S. tour through Texas around SXSW and continues along the West Coast, including Portland and Seattle, as support for Willard Grant Conspiracy, Richmond Fontaine, Ian Moore, and Jerry Joseph & Jackmormons.

Line-up changes and duo period

After several line-up changes and an Italian tour in late November with Robert Fisher and The Silos, the group changes form at the end of 2002 and becomes a duo. The core line-up consists of Stiv Cantarelli on vocals and guitars, and Dario Neri on drums, piano and lap steel. In this period the duo tours extensively across Italy, playing more than 60 shows in about 20 months and appearing with Californie, The Dirty Three, Howe Gelb and Piano Magic.

Radio sessions and later work

In 2003, Satellite Inn records a session for Adventist World Radio in its studio, with the project strongly supported by Italian programming director Marco Conte. The two-day recording session captures about 15 songs and is broadcast worldwide in January 2003. The recordings are later issued as an unofficial CD available only at Satellite Inn shows and are described as the only live document of the band’s sound.

In 2006, the band returns with In the land of the Sun, recorded over 52 days at its own studio facility using analogue techniques. The album functions as a concept record, with short stories written by the band included in the booklet, and continues the group’s dreamy folk rock style.