Amanda Pascali talks with CloudwatcherUno from Palermo, Sicily where she is currently engaged on a Fulbright Scholarship fellowship to translate and revitalise Sicilian folk music. Born in Queens, New York, Pascali’s family moved to Texas where she grew up listening to all genres of music.
In the podcast we find out more about ‘Immigrant American Folk Music‘, its’s what genre best describes Pascali’s music. It’s a mix of a lot of different styles and cultures from all over the world and it’s a genre of music that is unique and exciting. We also get an exclusive listen to an unreleased track called “Colonist Tango” and one of my favourite tracks “Not Today“.
Pascali started playing instruments in middle and high school to make pocket money and performed in cover bands. Once Pascali hit 17 she wanted to perform her own songs and get out there as a singer songwriter and so she released her self titled EP in 2016.
This was a transition from being in rock bands to being an authentic version of herself. as with every song that Pascali writes those songs were based on her own teenage experiences, very personal feelings got turned into broader themes so that the listener can mold the song to their lives.
Gianfranco Rosi the filmmaker inspired Pascali to write her song “Over The Sea” when she watched his documentary about African immigrants crossing the sea to reach Italy. Fans and family thought the song was written about them and their journey to the promised land.
Pascali’s way of writing her songs can be hard work and it’s a struggle to jump start her song writing songs. Artists borrow lots of things, and sometimes Pascali is not above to saying that she has been inspired by the best of world music. It took over a year to record her sophomore album “Still It Moves” in Texas. Pascali played the Electric Bass, Toy Piano, Piano and many more besides.
Pascali sees it as a privilege to travel, learn about different cultures and bring all of that into her writing and music. Listen to Pascali’s latest EP “The Messenger” to hear her fabulous music. Pascali will be playing her first ever UK show in London for the CloudwatcherUno Live Sessions on Thursday 13th July 2023. Pascali will be opening up for Rachel Croft | with support also from Lucy Grubb Tickets available at the link below.
To listen into the conversation with CloudwatcherUno and Pascali click the link below. Also streaming on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Podcast Addict or wherever you listen to your podcasts.
CloudwatcherUno PLAY.LISTEN.ENJOY. 