HAUTVILLE

Hautville biography
Formed: 2006, Basilicata, Italy
Status as of April 2021: active

HAUTVILLE are a progressive neofolk trio based in Basilicata, Italy, formed in 2006 by Leonardo Lonigro (guitars) and Francesco Dinnella (keyboards/vocals), with vocalist Simona Bonavita joining the project soon after. Their lyrics address "traditional doctrines and folk traditions that are seen as a collection of ancient knowledge".

Hautville's dark folk sound arrived fully formed on their 2010 debut No Milk For Babies, from which several songs would be remastered and paired with new material on the next year's follow-up Numen Lumen, released on Hau Ruck! SPQR. By their 2013 release Le Moire, Hautville's mostly acoustic sound would expand significantly, with their progressive rock credentials burnished by the guest appearance of Arturo Stàlteri from obscure 1970s prog-folk group PIERROT LUNAIRE. and a cover of BANCO's evergreen "Non mi rompete". 2016's Mater Dolorosa expanded Hautville's lineup even further, with the addition of orchestral strings and horns, and the return of Stàlteri on piano. 2020 saw a collaborative EP with fellow Italian neofolk group LA PIETRA LUNARE, which was inspired by the Tibetan Book of the Dead and City of the Sun by Tommaso Campanella. Similar bands in the archives include ,CORDE OBLIQUE, FORSETI, FAUN, ILIENSES and ANATHEMA.

Bio courtesy of Gordy April 2021