3.36.42am on August 24th, 2016: a devastating earthquake flattens the historic centre of Amatrice taking almost 300 lives and ruining thousands of others forever. There was no time for anyone to react or escape. There was no time to realise that their world had changed forever. Children, mothers, brothers, grandparents, friends, colleagues, pets; nobody was spared. Besides the destruction of human lives, there were the homes and businesses, without which staying would be impossible. The disintegration of a vast, wonderful artistic heritage and an enormous treasure for the whole of humanity. But how was Amatrice before the quake? It was a little paradise deep in the Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga National Park in northern Lazio, central Italy. It was listed amongst the most beautiful hamlets of Italy. A little paradise of crystal clear lakes, sumptuous mountains, delicious cuisine, Gothic churches and medieval towers. A little paradise populated by straightforward, dignified, welcoming, pragmatic people. Tough, determined people who never give up, used to working hard and fighting the unstable rhythms of the mountain. These people, behind empty glances full of tears want to rise again, not only for themselves, but for those that are not there any more. They don’t want to leave. They want to stay and rebuild, but they need help to do it, because they have nothing left but hope. They need houses, roads, schools, hospitals, shops; places that were destroyed in a mere 142 seconds. This is why I've set up The Amatrice Project. I've gathered a group of talented and passionate musicians, who have all agreed to donate a song to the cause. They include such artists as: Dave Forster, Ghost Community, Howard Sinclair, Matt Stevens, Third Man Phenomenon and Tony Turrell. Through their music there is hope. Through their music we can raise funds for the struggling people of Amatrice. We can help them rebuild, not only their town, but their lives as well. The tracks can be exclusively downloaded from:
theamatriceproject.bandcamp.com. Thank you to anybody who will add a brick to every house and every life in Amatrice by downloading these wonderful songs, and asking their friends to do the same. The proceedings will be entirely donated to the Municipality of Amatrice, that have established a dedicated account for the earthquake emergency (
www.comune.amatrice.rieti.it). Thank you all from the earth. Amala Amatrice Amala: Love Amatrice Love It.
released September 25, 2016