On April 1, 2026, John Cabot University welcomed Italian musician Toni Cutrone for a talk focusing on his sound project Mai Mai Mai. The event was sponsored by the JCU Communication and Media Studies Department, in collaboration with CRiTT (Interuniversity Research Center on Transnational Technocultures) and Nero Editions.
The presentation was a deeply immersive exploration of the relationship between sound, culture, and memory. Cutrone demonstrated the project’s distinctive sonic landscapes, with a particular focus on the recently released album Karakoz, recorded in the occupied Palestinian territories of Ramallah and Bethlehem in 2024.
Toni Cutrone
Cutrone illustrated his journey through Palestine, where local sounds and atmospheres were recorded, remixed, and applied to his own tracks, creating a unique blend of past and present. Through collaborations with local radio stations and artists, Cutrone remained dedicated to authenticity and respect for local traditions and customs. One example he shared with students was his use of a traditional Palestinian grieving song, which he recorded and incorporated into his own track to give a sense of legitimacy to his version. Grief plays a central role in his work, as one of the main reasons that drives his creative process is the desire to give new life to the past.
Cutrone spoke of the “ghosts” and spirits that inhabit communities. These ghosts represent old rituals and traditions that are brought back to life through music. He described this as a form of “hauntology,” or the way in which past events shape our modern times. Coined by French philosopher Jacques Derrida, “hauntology” is a philosophical and cultural concept describing how the present is "haunted" by lost futures, failed utopias, and memories of the past. By giving voice to the past, Cutrone casts a much wider net of resonances between ancient folk traditions and their echoes within contemporary techno-cultural contexts.
Cutrone’s blend of industrial, drone, and field recordings captures and preserves the sounds and resonances of the land. Each location provides a unique and introspective understanding of what sound is and what culture can be. These recordings took place in a variety of locations, such as the open-air ambience of the Cremisan Valley between the West Bank and Jerusalem, or the sounds of conversation and bargaining in the bustling Ramallah market.
Cutrone’s biggest revelation from this experience washow music and art can influence a community. These creative practices can make meaningful change and are proof of a lively and vibrant culture. Cutrone finished his presentation by reflecting on how, despite the ongoing conflict, music is a way for the Palestinian people to connect with one another and remain visible to the rest of the world.
Toni Cutrone is an Italian musician and artistic director based in Rome He is best known for his project Mai Mai Mai, where he explores the spirits and traditions of Mediterranean folklore through music and sound. For the past few years, his main work has been focused on combining his passion for the occult and the paranormal with musical work.
