Lorenzo Testa began his musical journey as a guitarist in the European rock scene, quickly building a name through international tours and globally released albums. Driven by a growing passion for Irish traditional and folk music, he embraced the tenor banjo and mandolin, eventually co-founding in 2007 the all-Italian Uncle Bard & The Dirty Bastards — one of the most recognized Celtic rock and Celtic punk bands worldwide.
With the band, he has performed on major stages across Europe and North America alongside legendary acts such as Dropkick Murphys, Flogging Molly, The Dubliners, and De Danann, accumulating over a thousand live dates across festivals and venues in both the folk and rock circuits. The band’s critically acclaimed discography — including The Cellar Tapes, Get the Folk Out!, Handmade!, The Men Behind the Glass, and the compilation The Story So Far, released on UK label Angel Air Records — has earned them international recognition and a devoted global fanbase.
In 2019, they became the first Italian act ever to appear at the Dublin Irish Festival in Dublin, Ohio — the largest Irish music festival in the world — sharing the stage with artists such as Altan, Gaelic Storm, and We Banjo 3.
Throughout his career, Lorenzo has also collaborated with a wide range of international artists, including David Knopfler, co-founder of the legendary Dire Straits. In 2021 he launched Gadan, a bold and innovative folk project that merges Irish and American roots music with contemporary energy and Italian spirit.
The lakes and Alpine foothills of northwestern Italy. Scorching summers, freezing winters. No pizza but polenta here.
Clareen Pearl tenor banjo, Dave Boyle custom 17-frets tenor banjo, Flatiron Performer mandolin F-style.
The legendary Gerry O'Connor of course, Enda Scahill, Angelina Carberry, Marty Barry, Kieran Hanrahan.
Michael Kerry, Sam Bush, Sierra Hull, Dominick Leslie.
A pretty wide spectrum here! It goes from The Pogues to Christy Moore, through Planxty and the Bothy Band, then The Dubliners, who I grew up with. But also the rock of Social Distortion, Gaslight Anthem, 80's Bay Area thrash metal, and the Americana of Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Doc Watson...
Dublin Irish Festival 2019, first time ever in US: Friday night before Gaelic Storm... can't forget that shiver down my spine!
Christy Moore in Waterford (2010) and The Pogues in 2009, being the best and the worst and the same time.
Dingle, Galway... and Dublin, even if I hate what it’s become!
San Francisco, Siskiyou County, Oregon, Wyoming and Yellowstone National Park
My home: my Alps, my mountains, my lakes.
Italy’s finest: Nebbiolo, Barbera d’Asti, Gattinara, Barolo: the world’s best red wines!
Garlic cheese fries at Supermac's. No kidding here!
Road cycling is my hobby and side job, cause I’m a licensed bike guide for an Australian travel agency. I still do a bit of racing too… and breaking my collarbones. Oh yes, I’m very good at that. Besides that: photography, hiking, basically all kinds of sports. I love doing whatever comes my way!
