Vanessa Campagna: pop music allows me to be myself and to make those who follow me feel less alone.
Vanessa Campagna, italiani.it has the pleasure of interviewing her and getting to know her better thanks to the collaboration with Maestro Jonathan Cilia Faro.
Thank you for this interview and I'm excited to answer all your curiosities.
What did you think when Jonathan Cilia Faro asked you to record the duet “O sole mio” with him, knowing that it is the most famous song in Italian culture?
“O sole mio” is one of my favorite songs. Both my mother and father have Italian roots and I grew up singing this song in the Italian language. When I met Jonathan here in Nashville, I was very excited to not only meet an authentic Italian immigrant but also a great artist. “O sole mio” is a fun song and I remember that, after each recording, as a good Italian Jonathan would prepare me a home-cooked lunch. Can't forget her pesto pasta.
Tell us about your family, how much Italian culture influenced you during your childhood in America and what it means to have Italian origins.
I was born in Beaver Falls Pennsylvania, a small town 40 miles north of Pittsburgh. My father was the first child born in the United States and didn't speak English until first grade. I grew up among people around me who spoke Italian. My grandmother Josephine is from Locri in Calabria and my grandfather is originally from Santo Stefano di Briga a district of Messina, Sicily. My maternal grandmother's family, on the other hand, comes from Naples and still today my relatives live both there and in Sicily, Calabria, Florence, Como and Milan. Growing up as an Italian American was a great experience for me. My family is passionate, loving, caring and very polite. Big hearts and big appetites! Food is an important part of our family: you never leave our homes hungry. Tradition is very important to us. We love to get everyone together and celebrate with wine and food. Being Italian is so much fun. I have Italian blood flowing through my veins and this has made me a “spicy” woman and a great lover. I like taking care of the people I love, as well as defending them. I speak from the heart in my hand and I'm very honest. Characteristics that are part of my genetic heritage. I am grateful that my family did not lose their Italian traditions once they settled in the United States. I think it's important that all of these things are passed down from generation to generation. All of this made me who I am today and also profoundly influences my songwriting and my musical choices. Long live Italy forever!
What is your favorite Italian dish and which one do you prefer to cook?
I love aubergines in any version, in the form of "rolatine", of chips (very thinly sliced aubergines, olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic, cooked in the oven until they are crispy) or I like them parmigiana or stuffed. I love cooking Italian vegetables, pasta and sauce.
She is so young and has already collaborated with many international artists. Which collaboration has influenced and impressed you the most? Is there an Italian singer you would like to work with?
The collaboration that influenced me the most was the one with Michael W. Smith and in particular with the song "Waymaker", which was a worldwide success. That song had never been heard or was not very popular in the United States until I was given the opportunity to sing it on the Trinity Broadcasting Network special that we taped at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville Tennessee. The song was originally written and performed by a Nigerian artist named Sinach. Michael heard it and decided to let me sing it that night in Nashville in front of 16 people. The video of that performance went viral and then, before we knew it, many artists were covering the song.
Radio stations here in America loved it so much they asked Michael to play it and later he invited me to sing it with him. Our version went to #XNUMX on the Billboard Christian charts and has since been certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America. That song changed my life in so many ways and I'm so grateful to have been a part of it.
During the pandemic, I was very moved by the many videos where people sang this song and even more when I saw Italians do it on their balconies. I remember calling Michael and telling him I wanted to release an Italian version of “Waymaker” for my family in Italy. I thought it would be a beautiful way to lift my people up, give them hope and sing these inspiring and moving lyrics in their own language. He liked the idea and, a few days later, we went into the studio and recorded “Waymaker, Aprirai Una Via”. This version will always be special to me.
As regards, however, the collaboration with an Italian artist, in addition to Jonathan Cilia Faro I would like to work with Andrea Bocelli. He has always been my dream duet partner ever since I started “prayer singing” when I was 8 years old. I grew up traveling the country with famed conductor and composer Marvin Hamlisch and he would have me sing “The Prayer” with several symphony orchestras. Every time I got on stage and started singing, I imagined myself doing it at the Colosseum with Andrea Bocelli. I would feel very accomplished if I could perform with him. So, if you are reading this article…let's duet!
What is your favorite music genre and why?
My favorite music genre is pop music. I love melodies that arouse strong emotions and honestly tell reality. As both an artist and a songwriter, I find it much easier to express my moods through songs. Pop music allows me to be myself and convey exactly what I mean. I love that you can connect with people through this art and let them know that whatever they're feeling, they're not alone. Music brings people together, regardless of the language barrier. Even if you don't understand Italian, you can still hear exactly what that person is feeling and saying through the melody of the song they are singing. I love that music does that. It brings people together.
On an artistic level, what is your dream?
My dream as an artist is to be recognized globally but in a family way. I would like to travel the world playing in stadiums, singing music that changes people's lives and unites them.
What's your next project?
My next project is actually the one I'm currently working on. I worked hard in the studio, writing and recording songs that tell my story. I already released 3: “Hold Me”, “Broken” and “How You Know”. You can find them on all streaming platforms: Apple Music, Spotify, Tidal, Amazon, Youtube and more. If you want you can also take a peek at my life and my works by following me on Instagram @vanessacampagna_official and Facebook @vanessacampagnamusic, tik tok @vanessacampagna_official and finally visiting https://open.spotify.com/artist/4a4KcYuu2DZrL8sTGyu5sM?si=33jcLtqPRlahSa4v-kg7jg
italiani.it is a portal dedicated to all Italians in the world. What would you like to share with our readers?
I would like to say hello to my ITALIAN FAMILY! Nice to meet you! No matter what you are going through, no matter where you are in your life, know that you are loved, perfect and beautiful for being authentically you. My goal in writing and releasing music is to lift, cheer others up, bring people together and let them know they are never alone.
Which Italian city or region would you like to visit and why?
I'd love to visit them all! I have a long list that starts from the places my family comes from, namely Locri, Calabria, Messina, Sicily and Naples. Besides that, I'd like to get to know Positano, Rome, Sardinia and Tuscany.