Former Australian Idol star Anthony Callea is about to turn 40, and has decided to celebrate this important milestone with the release of a new album, Forty Love.

Born and raised in Melbourne between Altona North and Werribee, Callea has Sicilian origins on his mother's side, and Calabrian origins on his father's side.

Still vivid in his mind are memories of his grandparents looking after him and his siblings during the school holidays. These were days when the house was filled with Italian music, from Laura Pausini to Mario Lanza. It was during these carefree afternoons, spent singing and dancing, that a passion for music was born – one that would never leave him.

Anthony was about five when one day, while watching singers on a TV show, he turned to his mother and, with resolve, told her that he wanted to pursue a career in music.

“So she enrolled me in a singing school, and I was lucky enough to have the same teacher from the time I was five until I turned 18,” Callea explained.

“Her name is Liana Scali. She is Italian and she accompanied me during all my school years, even during VCE. Her sister, Jane Scali, was a singer on Young Talent Time.”

“Music and singing have always been a part of my life,” continued the performer.

 “I think my mentor was essential in making me the artist I am today: we still have a beautiful relationship, and Liana still follows all of my concerts and live appearances.”

In addition to his gratitude for this guiding figure, the singer also considers himself very lucky for the support his parents have always shown him regarding his career choice:

“I come from a family of builders and my other relatives are lawyers, so no one ever considered music as a career opportunity before me. I clearly remember how, especially during my teenage years, I had no doubts that I wanted to be a singer. However, my parents had also advised me to have a back-up plan, convincing me to finish VCE and take business courses, but I soon realised that it didn’t do it for me.”

Anthony feels a strong connection to his parents' home country and, because of this, has many times visited the wonders of the Bel Paese. It was only in 2019, however, just before the outbreak of the pandemic, that Callea went to his mother's hometown of Messina, where many of his relatives still live.

"It was very emotional for me to visit those places that I had only ever heard about in my mother's stories. During that stay, I was also received by the mayor, who welcomed me and gave me a book detailing all of the city’s most iconic locations.”

One of the songs featured on Callea’s forthcoming album ― After All This Time ―   was written in Milan, Italy, with a hand from artist Antonio Galbiati, whom Callea contacted out of his desire to collaborate with someone who works with some of the artists he most admires: Giorgia, Laura Pausini and Eros Ramazzotti.

Forty Love is scheduled for release on October 21, less than two months before the singer's birthday. The following day, a concert has been organised at The Palms at Crown Melbourne, to celebrate with fans and anyone interested in sharing this important moment. Callea will perform new songs and old favourites alike.

The artist explained that although this latest project has been in the pipeline for many years, it was never in his interest to rush it in any way. In fact, in these songs Callea has captured many stories from his life, through its many different phases. 

"I am very proud of it because the lyrics and melodies are all mine; I consider this album to be part of me,” Callea said.

“I hope that when people listen to it, they will be able to understand me and share in the emotion, not only on a musical level, but also on a personal level, because I sing about real events from my life.”

Within the album, there are songs that Callea is particularly fond of, such as The Prayer; however this time, it’s a special, acoustic, never-before-heard version, of which he is very curious to hear people’s reactions.

“I have lived with these songs for so many years, and I’m happy to be able to share them now with the public,” the singer concluded.

“The release of this album should be a celebration for everyone, just like my birthday.”