Latest news with #Strega
Forbes
04-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Alessandro Cortini From Nine Inch Nails Creates His Own Clara IEMs With Campfire Audio
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - MAY 27: Alessandro Cortin, guitarist for Nine Inch Nails, performs during ... More Boston Calling Music Festival on May 27, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by) Celebrity endorsements of products are nothing new. Ever since the boom in teenage culture, back in the 1950s, companies selling musical instruments, sporting equipment and fashion have drafted in well-known names to sell their wares. In these modern times, endorsement even extends to the consumer electronics with signature editions of products bearing the names of celebrities on the packaging. Normally, I would shun anything that's been endorsed by a celebrity because in many cases the famous person has just exchanged an endorsement for a bundle of cash. However, in the case of the new Clara In-Ear Monitors made by the highly respected boutique earphone brand of Campfire Audio, things were different. These high-end IEMs were not just endorsed by but actively developed and tuned with the help of Alessandro Cortini, guitarist and member of U.S. band Nine Inch Nails. I caught up with Alessandro Cortini at his home on the outskirts of Lisbon, Portugal's capital city, where the synth-loving musician and all-round nice guy lives with his family and a herd of 20 cats. In my book, anyone who loves cats that much must be a good person and worth listening to. Cortini's Clara IEMs have detachable cables and a whole host of ear tip options. Cortini has the honor of being the first Italian to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, in 2020, when he was included as a member of the band Nine Inch Nails. As well as playing instruments, Cortini also makes them. He created a patchable synthesizer called Strega produced by Make Noise. It was during the crazy times of the global pandemic in 2020, during those long months of lockdowns, that bands like Nine Inch Nails found themselves grounded. The band was founded by Trent Reznor in Cleveland, Ohio, back in 1988, and were unable to tour during that time. It was then that Cortini developed a bug and it wasn't Covid 19. Instead, he contacted the audiophile bug and developed a love and fascination with everything audio, especially high-end hi-fi. Alessandro Cortini was bitten by the audiophile bug during the pandemic. Cortini takes up the story: 'I'd been using IEMs for performances for some time and developed a connection with Ken Ball and the guys at Campfire Audio, in Portland Oregon. Ken and I share the same kind of passion for music and we even use the same brand of digital player. One day, Ken offered me the chance to design my own IEMs and with his help and experience, I was able to produce something that captured the way I enjoy music.' 'During lockdown, I had the opportunity to learn about dynamic drivers and balanced armatures, the two main types of transducers used in IEMs. Ken knows everything there is to know about how the technologies used in IEMs sound and he was able to guide me towards selecting the units that would bring out the kind of signature sound I was looking for.' Although Cortini is a member of Nine Inch Nails, his tastes and passions for music range far and wide. Originally from Italy, Cortini lived in the States for many years and it's impossible to avoid soaking up the amazing musical diversity of that country. During our conversation, we chatted about music ranging from Gregorian chant to the best of Blue Tone jazz and classic numbers from the Great American Songbook. I asked Cortini what he was looking to get out of the Clara IEMs. Ken Ball is founder and lead acoustic engineer at Campfire Audio and helped Alessandro Cortini ... More develop the unique sound of the Clara IEMs. 'I love lots of different music but I wanted to create IEMs that had enough definition at the top end to create a dynamic and focused soundstage, but I didn't want them to be harsh or give the listener a headache. Nice and smooth with a silky treble was what I was looking for' he adds. 'I was also wanted a bass with a certain warmth and definition. I wanted it to feel a bit like putting on a woolly jacket on a chilly day; warm but not so heavy as to be thick and overpowering.' 'With Ken Ball's help, we managed to narrow things down to a dual magnet dynamic driver with a bio-cellulose diaphragm that takes care of those low frequencies. For the mids, we used the latest technology with a dual-diaphragm balanced armature. For the treble or higher end, we chose two dedicated super-tweeters with exceptional precision.' "For me, making music is an equal measure of creating and listening. What I listen to will sometimes inform my next compositional move. Clara IEMs are not only a sonic manifestation of my preferences in terms of their tuning and spatial portrayal, but Clara IEMs are also a reflection of the deep bond between Ken and me, both musically and philosophically.' The earpieces of Clara IEMs are unmistakable with their Campfire Audio housings. 'I've been a fan of Campfire Audio for a long time and having the chance to share in the process of making a new pair of IEMs with someone like Ken has made this a fantastic journey. I'm very proud of what the Campfire Audio team and I have managed to produce with Clara. I think it combines emotion with accuracy, letting audiophiles enjoy the precision as well as the music. For musicians, they amplify the creativity through the vibrant and physical emotional transfer the IEMs provide.' Ken Ball, the founder and lead acoustic engineer at Campfire Audio, agrees with Cortini and adds: "Working with such an accomplished and creative artist like Alessandro has been an honor and a privilege. Our shared passion and personal taste in music, and a love for electronic music specifically, forged a bond that led to the pursuit of Clara.' 'Science, art, and music have been the three pillars of my life, adds Ball. 'Bringing decades of pursuing these pillars to a project alongside Alessandro, who shares these values and brings his unique creative vision and expertise, has been a highlight of my career. I think we have designed something very special that will resonate with fans of Campfire and the audiophile community.' The frequency response of Alessandro Cortini's Clara IEMs isn't dead flat. Both men aren't wrong. For anyone who listens to Clara IEMs, there is an instant and unmistakable completeness about their sound that would pair well with almost any musical genre. The IEMs don't have a dead flat response but neither do they display the classic U-shaped EQ or coloration that so many manufacturers seem to settle for today. The Clara IEMs have a warm bass, a forward midrange and a silky treble that's just sharp enough to bring the soundstage into perfect focus without making the listener's brain work overtime top descramble distortion. The sign of a good pair of speakers, earphones or IEMs is how they help the listener forget they are listening to an audio system by thoroughly immersing the listener in the emotion of the music. That was Cortini's aim for Clara and it's fair to say he and Ken Ball hit the target with 100% accuracy. Despite the use of some well-matched multiple drivers, Clara sounds like it's been tuned to sound more like the very best of dynamic IEMs but with the precision of balanced armature technology. Clara offers the best of both worlds. Alessandro Cortini is a member of the U.S> band Nine Inch Nails. As well as playing the guitar, he ... More also has an interest in synthesisers and even made his own Strega patchable synth with Make Noise. Chatting with Cortini is almost as infectious as listening to Clara IEMs. His viral enthusiasm is more contagious than Covid. In the sometimes-sterile world of digital music, we often miss out on the passion and joy of music as we listen for details. Cortini has managed to distil his passion into the sonic signature of these unique IEMs. It's a rare achievement and perhaps only something a musician could have achieved with the technical guidance of someone as experienced as Campfire Audio's Ken Ball. The Alessandro Cortini Clara IEMs are available now from Campfire Audio and are priced at $1,999. The Clara IEMs ship with two cables, one with a single-ended 3.5mm jack plug and the other with a balanced 4.4mm jack plug. The package also includes Campfire Audio's Pilot portable DAC dongle for use with devices like smartphones that may not have an analog jack. The IEMs also have a hardshell touring case for life on the road and a new mini dimensional folding IEM wallet, Breezy Bag Jr mesh zipper case in charcoal, Breezy Bag Micro two-pocket IEM pouch in charcoal, microfiber cleaning cloth, assorted ear tips In foam, silicone, Final Type-E plus an IEM cleaning tool. The Clara IEMs ship with two cables, one with a single-ended 3.5mm jack plug and the other with a ... More balanced 4.4mm jack plug. The package also includes Campfire Audio's Pilot portable DAC dongle for use with devices like smartphones that may not have an analog jack. The IEMs also have a hardshell touring case for life on the road and a new mini dimensional folding IEM wallet, Breezy Bag Jr mesh zipper case in charcoal, Breezy Bag Micro two-pocket IEM pouch in charcoal, microfiber cleaning cloth, assorted ear tips In foam, silicone, Final Type-E plus an IEM cleaning tool.
Yahoo
26-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
New chicken cutlet sandwich shop in Boston is like ‘Chipotle for Italians'
Marina Varano could never get enough of her Italian mother's fresh and crispy chicken cutlets growing up in Boston. 'My mom grew up making these cutlets almost five times a week because it was the only thing my brother and I asked for,' Varano told MassLive outside her family's latest venture, My Mother's Cutlets. The Boston sandwich shop, which opened on Friday, April 25, makes Michelle Varano's famous chicken cutlets the star of the show. And while Marina Varano says every Italian claims their mother is the best cook, she says she's got the proof that her mother's chicken cutlets are truly the best in Boston. 'Everyone wanted to come to our house, whether it was elementary school, middle school, high school,' Varano said, adding that even her college friends from California still ask to have her mother's chicken cutlets shipped to them. 'Everyone always wants it to be their mother's cutlets, but we branded it after my mother's cutlets because we truly think it's the best and we want to share that with everyone.' My Mother's Cutlets is a fast-casual eatery in the North End that lets customers build their own chicken cutlet sandwiches. People start by choosing their bread then a cutlet followed by sauces or dressing, cheese and any add-ons they prefer. And it's not just chicken guests are tied to for protein options. Diners can also stuff their sandwiches with eggplant, veal or meatballs. Those not into bread can opt for Varano's aunt's 'famous' tomato salad as their base, as well. Build-your-own-cutlet creations start at $15. Add-ons are available for an additional $2 to $4. Each sandwich comes with a side of chips. 'It's custom cutlet creation,' Varano said. 'What I've been explaining it as is the Chipotle for Italians.' For those overwhelmed at the thought of customizing a sandwich, there are five options on the menu already created. Standouts include 'My Mother's Special' — a cutlet with vodka sauce and burrata — and 'The Hot Paisan' — a cutlet with prosciutto, mozzarella, hot honey and basil. These classic options also start at $15. My Mother's Cutlets is truly a family affair, with Varano's mother, aunt and other relatives all working behind the counter. The sandwich shop is right next to Strega, which was the first restaurant that Varano's father, Nick Varano, opened in 2003. His other restaurants are Nico Ristorante in the North End as well as Fratelli and Giardino in Encore Boston Harbor. My Mother's Cutlets is also on the same street where Nick Varano grew up, marking another meaningful moment for the family. 'This corner is just so special and unique to us as a whole,' Marina Varano said. 'The North End is the perfect location for this [and] so we're super excited to be here.' My Mother's Cutlets is located at 371 Hanover St., in Boston's North End. The shop is open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday through Sunday. Massive gallery with historic photos of music icons coming to Boston in May Boston Calling 2025: Who's playing and when Florida-based breakfast chain expanding in Mass. with first Boston location Boston Greek restaurant included on Condé Nast Traveler's 2025 Hot List Best outdoor dining spots around Boston Read the original article on MassLive.
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Italian restaurant in Boston hotel quietly closes after 7 years
A neighborhood Italian restaurant in a Boston hotel has quietly closed after 7 years. Strip by Strega, located in the Park Plaza Hotel in Back Bay, apparently closed this month. Google Maps and a call placed to the establishment Thursday both indicated that Strega Italiano was permanently closed. The restaurant's website is also no longer active. It is unknown why the restaurant was shuttered and when. However, there is a post in the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group from April 19 announcing the restaurant's closure. Strega also has another location in Seaport. That location is still open. Strip by Strega opened in 2018 according to a Boston Herald article from the time. The restaurant was one of three Strega locations (including a Woburn spot that closed in 2022) that were acquired by PPX Hospitality from The Varano Group. The Varano Group still owns the original Strega in the North End, which was renamed to Strega by Nick Varano. The address for the now-closed Strip by Strega was 64 Arlington St., Boston. MassLive has reached out to PPX Hospitality Group for more information. Boston Greek restaurant included on Condé Nast Traveler's 2025 Hot List Best outdoor dining spots around Boston MassLive staff shares their 10 must-try Massachusetts restaurants Read the original article on MassLive.
Boston Globe
11-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Boston Globe
This 11-year-old New Englander is ‘The Shirley Temple King'
'This looks absolutely beautiful. … It's got a pink-to-red hue going on,' he told some quarter-million followers Get Winter Soup Club A six-week series featuring soup recipes and cozy vibes, plus side dishes and toppings, to get us all through the winter. Enter Email Sign Up Since his start, the critic has looked for the same drink characteristics: ginger ale over lemon-lime soda, an appropriate ratio of not-too-sweet grenadine, three cherries, very cold. Advertisement But, now a grizzled vet in sixth grade, his taste has refined when it comes to pairings. He chuckles when I mention an old 'My palette has changed quite a lot. Now, I love pairing Shirley Temples with a good cut of steak, filet mignon. Or chicken parm.' Leo loved both the chicken parm and Shirley Temple at Strega. He also awarded their Shirley Temple milkshake an 8.1. 'You got that vanilla soft serve in there … decadent.' Much of the charm of @theshirleytempleking — his legion of followers includes Noah Kahan and While his parents Lisa and Tom Kelly run his Insta account, the magic of the videos: the well-spoken, thoughtful lil' critic. Takes feel unprompted, often all in one take, authentic (and adorable.) But food and beverage reviewing — which he also did for a stint as correspondent on Advertisement Strega was just one spot the Kellys — including kid brother Declan, 8, and sister Presley, 5 — hit up on a recent Boston trip. They live in Fairfield, Conn. Leo doesn't like to give bad reviews. 'I do post them — but obviously, in a respectful manner. Sometimes I'll pop back in to see if they improved. A lot of times they have, which I'm very proud to see.' He's only slightly fudged a review once, he admits, in December when the Big Man himself, 'Santa Claus brought me a Shirley Temple at Lotte New York Palace. I wanted to be on the nice list — so Leo Kelly has gone viral on Instagram for his Shirley Temple reviews. The Shirley Temple King sometimes 'When there's not a lot of Shirley Temples around me, I substitute other things,' he says. 'I love limited releases because I feel there's a level of exclusivity to it.' I had questions for the tastemaker, so we chatted one recent afternoon after school. So what made you want to start @ShirleyTempleKing when you were 6? I always loved filming on my mom's phone, reviewing toys and candy. That really sparked me at a young age — I want to review, I want to critique, I want to make stuff better than I found it. Advertisement I've always loved Shirley Temples. I got introduced to them at a young age from my cousin. Ever since then, they've been my go-to at restaurants. What do you like about food reviewing in general? I'm a pretty big foodie. I love trying new foods. Having my own opinions excites me to try new foods — respectfully. I only critique stuff politely. I'm not trying to be rude when I say something is bad. Were you surprised at the following you got so quickly? You went viral when you were 6. I was very surprised. It blew up in one night. I remember waking up the next morning, my parents showing me — I thought I was still dreaming. You were on 'Ellen' soon after. Did you realize then how big a deal that was? I was too young to understand what was going on, but looking back, I feel very accomplished. You should. You're also busy with acting. You were on 'Law and Order,' and soon you'll be in 'Guns Up,' with Kevin James. How did you land that? I got my first role in ' Would you like about acting? I love putting myself in somebody else's shoes. It's always something that I've always been interested in — it's like living another life. You took a recent reviewing trip to Boston. You gave Grill 23 & Bar's Shirley Temple a 6. It had lemon-lime soda — you prefer ginger ale. Advertisement I do. I feel it's the original way to make it. It did have cubed ice, which I appreciate. Cubed is better than crushed? I just like seeing the different types of ice. Fun ice is better. I love seeing cool, different shapes. But as long as it's cold, that's great. Alden & Harlow in Harvard Square . You said their grenadine was 'like cough syrup.' It was very syrupy. It was just flat soda. It needs bubbles to stabilize it. What could they do to improve? They could swap out flat soda for ginger ale. I don't know if they just had a really sweet grenadine, or if they just did way too much. But I think fixing the ratios would definitely skyrocket their rating. You gave Strega a 9.7. What did they do right? Everything. They had amazing ice, very cold. It was ginger ale, very carbonated. The grenadine-to-soda ratio was perfect. It almost had a slightly strawberry flavor. They had a Valentine's Day strawberry-heart garnish. That was awesome. The food was also amazing. I got chicken parm. Absolutely loved it. If somebody was visiting Boston, where should they go? Go to TD Garden for a Boston Celtics game. [The Shirley Temple there] was amazing, very cold. Two things I loved about it were both garnishes: the four-leaf clover obviously represents the Celtics. I don't know where they found that. They also had dehydrated Satsuma, which is a type of orange. It really added a lot of flavor to the drink. In your videos, you've got the lingo and cadence of a TV food critic down pat. Do you watch the Food Network? Advertisement Absolutely. Food Network, I really grew up on that. I've always loved watching 'Hell's Kitchen' and 'Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.' And my great-grandma and my grandma both were always in the kitchen cooking. That's really their love language. I learned a lot from them. Because I cook, too. Leo Kelly, who is known online as the "Shirley Temple King," with the non-alcoholic drink at The Smith in New York, Jan. 20. Lanna Apisukh/The New York Times What do you cook? I love cooking Italian dishes. I also love cooking steak. We make homemade pizza and our own tomato sauce every year. Would you want to be a chef when you get older? It sounds like you want to pursue acting, too. Being a chef could definitely be a cool side-job. When I have kids, I'd love to make them some delicious meals. But acting is my set goal for the future. Whether it's directing, writing — as long as I'm in the movie and TV scene, I'm happy. What's next for acting? I'm always auditioning. I get a lot of auditions, and a small fraction go to the next level. There's a quote I love, it has to do with acting. It's like … 'You won't get certain projects because there's always a better one for you to get.' And that's true. There were some roles I didn't get, and I was sad. Then I auditioned for 'Guns Up,' a bigger role, and I got it. I'm happy that my hard work paid off. Any tips for restaurants making a Shirley Temple? As long as they're trying their hardest, that's all that matters. Obviously, ginger ale is better. A good portion of grenadine is better. Three cherries is better. That's solid advice. You seem older than 11. Thank you. I read a lot. I'm reading a few books right now that I picked up — speaking of Boston — at the Harvard Book Store. ' Follow along at @shirleytempleking. Lauren Daley can be reached at and Lauren Daley can be reached at
