For those people that haven’t heard of you before could you tell us a bit about yourself, your story? Oh yes sure … I’m an international singer-songwriter, born and raised in Cremona (Italy), actively collaborating on many new music projects with artists from all over the world and my music is available in both physical and digital forms worldwide. Who inspired you to get on stage and perform? My passion for music was born from a young age, my first performance dates back to when I was seven years old. It all started with theatre acting, then step by step thanks to music school and singing lessons I decided that I would dedicate myself to singing and songwriting. Even if, years later, I find myself having many experiences in more sectors such as dancing, singing, acting, speaking, radio host etc. Are there any artists or albums that have stuck with you and inspired your music? Thanks to my very versatile voice I like to experiment with many music genres and I take this opportunity to thank all of my collaborators and artists that have given me opportunities to make music … I love country-folk music style typically USA even if my Italian origins influence my compositions with more European indie-rock inspirations. The list of my favourite artists is really too long, to name a few: Jim Morrison, Dolores O’Riordan, Lene Marlin, Carrie Underwood, Amy Macdonald, Blake Shelton, Jake Owen and many others. In general, all great music is welcome. Could you tell us a bit about the writing/recording of the Songdew winning track Nel Vento? Nel Vento began as an acoustic song and is part of my CD Virtual Puzzle available in physical and digital worldwide distribution. I had written a small script time ago with the intention, sooner or later, of making an official video for my Youtube channel. When I started the video editing I realized that the recorded scenes were not perfectly in line with the acoustic and scenography setting of the original song, so I decided to record the song again and to propose it in a more country style and captivating way. I wanted something that attracted more attention and literally pierced the screen, also thanks to its particularity of lyrics sung in English and in Italian language both honouring and reconfirming a production made in Italy-Overseas with the GoPla SoundLab Studios (USA and Mexico. Arturo, the sound engineer is Italian also: born in Florence ). As stated in previous reviews: “Another attempt already discreetly successful to bring in Italy folk music typically USA in a mix at times sexy and veiled erotic, sometimes indie and slightly daring“. Your videos have won numerous awards, could you tell us a bit about what goes into creating them? I love filmmaking and working with a team is always a great experience. I often write scripts for other artists and I have to figure out and fully understand the lyrics and how to realize them visually. This time I wanted to create something for my music. So scene after scene between studio movie set and ‘on the road’ also, Nel Vento Official Video is out. All the people involved are thanks in the credits of the video. I hope to soon have other opportunities for doing another great teamwork for other videoclips and propose them to international Film Festivals. What is the most interesting venue you have performed at? At the beginning, Saint Vincent Festival (2010) gave me great opportunity to make myself known to the public … even if I sang a cover-song (Minuetto of the great Italian singer Mia Martini), I believe it was the best opportunity that it brought me luck in music. It all began from there. What do you think is missing from today’s music industry? Based on my personal experience and the musical reality that I live every day, unfortunately, there is no great desire on the part of the ‘great’ Artists to want to leave true and worthy heirs … music too often is only a matter of business and there is still too little space for the real talent, passion and great love for music. But we independent artists cross our fingers so that things really change one day. Here at Artistic Echoes we are always on the lookout for new artists do you have anyone to recommend? Oh certainly as a radio host in all these years I have really met so many talented artists, the list is really long: Joe Tavano, Brian Kroll, CUD (Change Under Death), Darren Parry, Danny Roberts, Jason Cudmore, Russell Foisy … to name a few. What plans do you have for the rest of the year and 2020? I love music collaborations, it’s always a great pleasure for me to be involved in singing or writing lyrics for new music releases on more music genres … and I hope soon to have something new to make you listen. Then I’ll go on with my daily tasks, dividing my time between music, radio and digital-art … stay tuned! Greetings from Italy and many thanks to you all about this music space and all people would support my music. Find Out More: Official Site: https://raffaellapiccirillo.wixsite.com/officialwebsite Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RaffaellaPiccirilloOfficial/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/raffaella78 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/raffaellapiccirillo_official/ Reverbnation: https://www.reverbnation.com/raffaellapiccirillo