Automobilisti

“Automobilisti” out April 18: the new duet by Federico Stragà and Fabio Concato is a call for kindness—on the road and in life

Fabio Concato returns to the studio after a four-year break, lending his voice to a compelling new single by Italian singer-songwriter Federico Stragà. Titled Automobilisti (“Drivers”), the track is a heartfelt reflection on everyday life and an implicit call for kindness—both behind the wheel and beyond it.

The song, written by Stragà, immediately captivated Concato. “I literally fell in love with it,” he says. So much so that he chose to record it exactly as it was originally written—without altering a single word.

Automobilisti opens in the chaos of city traffic and evolves into an emotional narrative. Performed as a duet, it blends Stragà’s lyrical depth with Concato’s signature warmth and irony. “I wrote the song some time ago,” says Stragà. “I was inspired by how cars amplify our emotions—for better or worse. A smile or a polite gesture can restore faith in kindness. But when someone cuts you off or yells, the reaction is often the opposite—and exaggerated.”

Rather than a social critique, Automobilisti is a poetic lens on daily life. Its closing line—“Tutti sulla stessa strada” (“We’re all on the same road”)—encapsulates the central message: we are all navigating life with our own burdens, and perhaps a little kindness could go a long way.

Stragà immediately thought of Concato when envisioning the song. “His songs—like Guido piano or 051—have that light yet profound tone I felt matched Automobilisti. After several failed attempts to reach him, I finally called him. To my surprise, he was enthusiastic and wanted to sing the track exactly as it was.”

The two artists first crossed paths in Belluno in the late ’90s, when Stragà briefly met Concato and gave him directions to a theater. “I never imagined that, 25 years later, we would be singing one of my songs together,” Stragà recalls.

Automobilisti also marks a turning point in Stragà’s artistic journey—from performer to songwriter. “I wasn’t initially interested in writing music. But in 2013, I began doing it more seriously. It’s not always easy to bring an idea to life, but when the spark ignites, it’s hard to extinguish.”

“I didn’t know Federico personally. Of course, I remembered his name, but I must admit—not much else. Then I listened to the song, and right away, it struck me as something different—not a small thing—unlike what usually happens when people ask me, for various reasons, to listen to or produce new material. Automobilisti won me over instantly, and so did the man and the artist—his original writing style, and that kind of sensitivity without which nothing truly good or genuine can be done. I really enjoyed singing with him—I hope you can feel that—and I hope you’ll love it too: the song deserves it, and so does Federico.”
– Fabio Concato.

On April 17th, in Bologna at the Teatro EuropAuditorium, on the occasion of the Bologna stage of Concato's Tour, Stragà will be the guest of the event to present, live, for the first time in preview, Automobilisti.

The result is an evocative, ironic, and deeply human piece that turns an ordinary situation into a universal message. Even on the road, there’s always room for kindness.

The single will be accompanied by a music video, still under wraps, featuring renowned actor Gioele Dix in a never-before-seen role. Known for his ability to balance depth and levity, Dix has embraced the challenge of bringing the song’s poetic essence and elegant irony to life. The video, currently in production, promises to be a delicate and engaging visual story in perfect harmony with the spirit of Automobilisti.

The track is released by Alman Music, the independent label founded in Imola in 2011 by Alberto Mantovani.