Roma Di Luna

Roma di Luna was a pivotal fixture of the Minneapolis indie folk scene during the mid-to-late 2000s. Formed by Alexei Casselle (Crescent Moon of Kill the Vultures) and Channy Leaneagh (later of Poliça), the group began as a busking duo at farmers' markets, performing traditional folk and gospel.

Their sound identity is defined by the contrast between Leaneagh's high, crystalline vocals and Casselle's grounded, rhythmic folk-blues guitar. Over their career, they expanded from a duo to a seven-piece ensemble, incorporating chamber-folk elements and more complex arrangements. The band's narrative is inextricably linked to the personal relationship between the founders, whose eventual divorce led to a hiatus before a final reunion album, 'We Were Made to Forgive,' in 2018. Critically, they were lauded for their ability to modernize the Americana tradition without sacrificing its stark, confessional power. They serve as a crucial bridge between the Twin Cities hip-hop scene and the indie-folk explosion of the era, influencing a generation of Midwestern songwriters with their blend of grit and ethereal beauty.