Ex-Otago, an Italian indie pop band from Genoa, was formed in 2002 by Alberto "Pernazza" Argentesi, Maurizio Carucci, and Simone Bertuccini. They released their debut album The Chestnuts Time independently in 2003. In 2004, drummer Simone Fallani joined the band, and they signed with Riotmaker Records, releasing the single "Giorni vacanzieri" and the album Tanti saluti in 2007. Gabriele Floris replaced Fallani on drums in 2008, and the band released their third album Mezze stagioni in 2011, by which time Francesco Bacci and Olmo Martellacci had joined. In 2012, Argentesi departed, and in 2014 the band released In capo al mondo. Rachid Bouchabla became the new drummer in 2016, and the band released their fifth album Marassi, which was distributed by a major label and charted. The reissue of Marassi in 2017, StraMarassi, featured guest musicians like Jake La Furia and Caparezza. Ex-Otago participated in the Sanremo Festival in 2019, finishing thirteenth with "Solo una canzone."
