We must admit, we’ve gotten pretty deep into all things Itaca. We now know what “mi manchi stranamente” means, we write our love letters in Italian, we sing along, we dance secretly at home in front of the mirror, we’ve purchased a fog machine, our vacation in Sicily is booked, and yes: we now have altogether positive associations with the term “Italo Pop.” It’s probable that Ossi Viola and Lo Selbo are Berlin’s only Italo-Pop duo, but it’s 100% certain that they’re the best, most charming, most heartbreaking, and most stylistically confident. Through it all we can hear traces of Luca Battisti (duh), Franco Battiato (only natural), but also Human League (aha!), Visage (hear, hear!), John Maus (oh really?), or The Knife (wow!). And no, it isn’t trashy. But it’s definitely pop. You might have guessed that the love birds met in Rome. The early tape Big in Itaca was followed by the stunning album Itaca mi Manchi, which they presented at Torstraßen Festival in 2017 together with the Hole Boys, upon the invitation of Kat Frankie. It’s unusual for us to invite a band back after such a short time—especially to our biggest stage. Itaca, ci manchi stranamente.