SPECIAL INTERVIEW: Anna Pancaldi

Tell us how it all started. What had you first interested in music? My father is a singer and so growing up in a musical family it was something I always thought would be a part of my life, but I just adored the way it made me feel when I used to stretch my vocal chords wide and sing along with albums of Mariah Carey and Barbra Streisand with all my being, there really was nothing comparable.

What motivates or influences you in your quest to make great music? All my music has been an outpouring of all the moments in my life that have affected, shaped and changed me in the most defining way. That needing to express how I feel when words cannot be found is so very important to me.

What are your biggest goals you hope to accomplish as an artist? I want to sell out the Royal Albert Hall in London and continue to build as bigger of a fan base as physically possible, performing live is where I come alive and so for the rest of my life that is what I want to do. My sights are set as far as the eye can see and I have a work ethic that stretches the same, so it’s a thrilling time to be doing what I’m doing.

Success, what is the secret to it? Well, it varies for us all but this last year one of the words that has been so prevalent to me is ‘perseverance’. To truly succeed in any business is something that demands your all and that requires sacrifice, hard work, focus, drive, ambition, a business mind and perseverance!

What has been your biggest career highlight so far? My biggest highlight was when I first charted and sold out my first headline show, the feeling was electric, having moved to London with no fan base or industry contacts to have achieved that was honestly hard to explain. There’s been many more, but I’ll never forget how that felt.

Which stars of the music industry do you find inspiring? Jeff Buckley, Judy Garland, Aretha Franklin, obvious answers, but they and many more had something that it is impossible to teach in a writer, performer and artist.The music industry is huge, where do you see yourself a few years from now? I see myself going back and forth from London and the States, doing what I am doing but on a much bigger scale!

The shape of the music industry has changed significantly over the years, including the use of social media, how do you feel about the industry as a whole and what does it mean to you in getting your records out into the public eye? I think the industry is tough, as it always has been, but as time moves on I find myself wanting to continue to build my career as I have been, as organically as possible in order to have longevity in my career. There’s so many opinions, movers and shakers, phases that we pass through and it can be hard to exist within it. Labels can be wonderful, but also, I have seen many people suffer from being dropped and how that has held them back, made them turn away from music and have to fight to find the self confidence to go on. So that’s why I want to do as much as I can, so to have the control and be in the best bargaining position should that time arise and be fitting. But also with this change in social media we are forced to try harder to succeed and that is something every artist needs to do, not to wait for anything to fall in their lap, hope for good luck, no,  you must create it!

Name a few of your favourite Aussie artists. Nick Cave, Sia and Matt Corby! Fairly varied! haha

What can we expect from you in the coming months? Any plans to tour? Indeed, I am touring throughout the UK, headlining in London and have a few dates in Europe coming up, all very exciting! Then I’ll be back in the studio =)

Tell us a bit about your latest record, how would you best describe your music? I think it’s in the alternative singer songwriter category; some of my music is gutsy and other times more melodic, it all fits together as one without all sounding too similar which I love. It’s truly honest and heartfelt and hope that can be felt.

Do you have any new projects in the pipeline? Always, but most I’m not allowed to discuss at the moment because of paper and pens! hehe. Watch out though!

Thanks for the interview! What final message do you have for us today? Thanks for the lovely interview and wanted to leave you with my favourite quote from Howard Thurman. ‘Don’t ask what the worlds needs; what makes you come alive and go do it, because what the world needs is more people who have come alive.’

Website: www.annapancaldi.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/annapancaldimusic
Twitter: www.twitter.com/annapancaldi