Black Snake Moan: Marco Contestabile's Psych-Western Journey
Born in Tarquinia in 1992, Marco Contestabile, known as Black Snake Moan, is a one-man band that fuses blues with psychedelic folk. His stage name is inspired by a track from Blind Lemon Jefferson. Drawing from Delta blues and rock music of the 1960s and 70s, he later adopted a neo-psychedelic style. Contestabile's shamanic approach reflects his Etruscan heritage intertwined with American landscapes. He debuted with the LP Spiritual Awakening in 2017, earning acclaim at the Arezzo Wave Love Festival and MEI. After touring European festivals, he released Phantasmagoria in 2019. Contestabile represented Italy at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis in 2020. He has since released two singles and collaborated with New Candys, while currently working on a new album.
Key facts
- Marco Contestabile performs as Black Snake Moan, a one-man band.
- Stage name from Blind Lemon Jefferson's song.
- Influenced by Delta blues and 1960s-70s rock bands.
- 2017 debut LP Spiritual Awakening.
- 2019 album Phantasmagoria on Teen Sound and La Tempesta International.
- Represented Italy at International Blues Challenge 2020 in Memphis.
- 2022-2023 singles Revelation and Vision and Fire & What You See.
- Performed bass with New Candys in 2023.
Entities
Artists
- Marco Contestabile
- Blind Lemon Jefferson
- Gabriele Ripa
- Samantha Stella
- Antonio Canova
Institutions
- Teen Sound
- Misty Lane
- La Tempesta International
- I Tre Allegri Ragazzi Morti
- Dead Music Records
- Tufo Rock
- Hypnotic Bridge Records
- Mojo Station Blues
- Arezzo Wave Love Festival
- MEI
- ESNS Groningen
- MIL Lisbon
- MAMA Paris
- Sziget Festival Budapest
- Rome Psych Fest
- International Blues Challenge
- New Candys
- The Black Angels
- The Brian Jonestown Massacre
- Led Zeppelin
- The Doors
- Rolling Stones
Locations
- Tarquinia
- Italy
- Memphis
- United States
- Mississippi
- New Orleans
- Groningen
- Netherlands
- Lisbon
- Portugal
- Paris
- France
- Budapest
- Hungary
- Rome
- Europe
- UK