BANTER - We caught up with ANNA PANCALDI ahead of her performance at the Loft Live Sessions in October....
Anna Pancaldi is a London based singer songwriter who is going to be venturing down to the sleepy county of Devon in October to grace the audience of the Loft Live Sessions with her presence. We wanted to chat to her ahead of the show and find out a few things about her, read on to discover her guilty pleasure, what she HATES about touring and details of her new EP....
Hi Anna, we know you're a London based singer songwriter with an amazing voice, we know that your second EP 'Dear Joey' released in April 2016 hit the #3 spot on the iTunes Singer Songwriter charts, please would you tell us something about yourself that NOT many people know?
Well that as a first question, I love! haha. I used to love drinking Ribena and cold peas as a kid with my brother, weird, I know haha!
You recorded 'Dear Joey' with James Kenosha who has also worked with Rhodes and Gavin James (both acts that we have worked with in the recent past), how did you find working with James?
Working with James has been a wonderful experience, someone who really understands what I am trying to capture within my music in a recorded environment and that can be rare to find. He really is fantastic!
You launched 'Dear Joey' at St Pancras Old Church in April, you're set to release your new single on October 12th at St Leonards Church in Shoreditch, is this a theme I see involving churches? How does playing in a church differ from a regular gig venue?
I love churches, I feel like it's en environment that can't help but create something special. Performing live is my favourite part of what I do and in anyway I can make it as memorable as possible, I try to do. The acoustics too, are generally stunning!
I checked out your video for 'Runaway', where was it filmed and who directed it?
The wonderful Rhys Davies, who just has the most wonderful eye for film.
The finished product is 3 mins 29 secs, how long did it take to create it?
We shot it in one day and really the whole day flowed, which is not typical for me! haha. I am off to film with him in Paris for my brand new single 'Keep On Keeping On' at the end of Sept!
You recently toured Europe with Jake Isaac, looking back over the many shows you did, which country stood out most for you? Why was this?
My favourite was Holland, Rotterdam in particular, such a great crowd and jumped down from the stage to sing unplugged which I always love doing! Such love from European crowds.
Was is it about touring that you enjoy the most?
I love playing a show every night, to new people, in a new place, that's where I come alive.
And what do you HATE about touring?
When I run out of clean clothes! haha
You just completed your first tour of the US taking in cities such as LA, New York and Nashville, how did you find the New York audience? similar to London ones?
I was so touched by the overwhelming love for my music, I went with little expectation and they blew me away with their reaction. I have never toured there, so to play to full rooms was quite something, I'll never forget that.
I heard a while ago about your gin, how did you get involved in this and HOW did you manage to get it on the shelves at Harvey Nichols and Selfridges? My wife is a keen gin fan, I'm sure she'd love to sample some....
Firstly, I love gin!!! My friend knows Masons founders well and he knows I love gin, so he put us in touch. I went to the distillery to sample my infusion and decide on how exactly I wanted it to taste as it's an elderflower gin. A special moment for me to have my own gin in the alcohol cupboard! For now you can just get it from me at my shows, but it's sold out for now! Boo! Mason's are sold in those gorgeous stores though.
You've received some great support from Dermot O' Leary on Radio 2 and Radio 6 Music are right behind you too, how does it feel when you hear your music played on the radio?
It's very weird and surreal! However when Dermot played me I was in the South African desert without WIFI, so I didn't hear it live! Boo! haha
Do you prefer to play solo or with a band? Do you use the same band all the time or do you chop and change as required?
Mostly solo for now, but for my headline show on Oct 12th in London I have strings, piano and backing vocalists which I cannot wait for!
If you could create your very own 'super-group' for just one show using anyone (dead/alive/fictional) who'd be in the line up and why?
Jeff Buckley, Judy Garland, Ella Fitzgerald. All the artists who really make me feel something when I listen to their music and that can so often be lost these days with the pressure of image and the industry sometimes losing sight in the beauty of music and not just sales. Jeff Buckley takes you to somewhere where few artists, transports you.
We all have a guilty pleasure, can you share yours?
Custard, I love custard!
What advice would you offer to a youngster just getting started in the world of music? Any particular hazards to look out for?
To spend as music time honing your craft and writing as you can, as when you start releasing music you need to keep the ball rolling and that time is precious when you can just write. Equip yourself with knowledge of the business and know who you are as an artist. With those things you can be very powerful indeed.
You're currently unsigned, are you actively looking for a label or do you prefer to manage things yourself?
I am open to labels, but at the right time and with the right deal, it's easy to lose sight and get over excited and those kind of decisions that can ultimately change your life for better or for worse. So we will see as things progress.
You're playing at The Loft Live Sessions at the end of October alongside Cornish band Haunt the Woods and Torbay superstar Matt Sellors, have you met either before? Have you ever played in a medieval barn before?
I haven't met either before which is rare not to know someone on the bill, you normally cross paths at some point! I have played in that very barn a couple of years ago and it was magical, can't wait to get back down there and repeat the experience!
You are currently working on EP3, when can we expect to see this and have you any plans for an album in the pipeline?
The single comes out on Oct 10th digitally, with the full release early next year. I am so proud of this EP, I really am and that takes a huge amount for me to say. I cannot wait for all of you to hear it! A definite change from the previous ones. No albums just yet, small bits and more often.
We're all about discovering new bands and artists here at musicmuso, please would you suggest a few names that we should be checking out?
For sure! Cloves, Joseph & Kimberly Anne
Lastly, what does the remainder of 2016 and early 2017 hold in store for Anna Pancaldi?
Well, I shall be on tour in the UK and Europe in 2017 and spending some more time in the US, I like to keep busy! haha and of course more releases!
Anna, thank you so much for sparing your time to talk to us, we're really looking forward to seeing you at the Loft Live Sessions in October, all the best for everything else that you're doing!
Thanks for having me!
You can purchase TICKETS to see Anna perform at the Loft Live Sessions near Exeter on October 25th, this event ALWAYS sells out so please book early to avoid disappointment!
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