Brancasitano is poised for an international career and anyone who has seen her perform will not be surprised. Her unique blend of raw energy, musical aptitude and creativity is simply remarkable.
Achieving a Grammy nomination after years of forging a career in music amongst her other commitments, including study and full-time work, is testament to her determination. This nomination has provided Brancasitano with a renewed sense of excitement about her future.
“It’s still surreal to even say the word ‘Grammy’,” she admits. “Being recognised, even at the consideration stage, is such a humbling experience. For me, it represents years of hard work, resilience and love for the craft.
“It’s also a reminder that music truly transcends borders — an Australian-Italian-Filipina woman can share her voice and have it heard on an international stage.”
With music playing a central role in both Italian and Filipino cultures, it is no wonder that music is her central passion.
Brancasitano’s childhood was spent surrounded by music, which provided her with a great platform for her musical development. Her father, Bruno, was a blues guitarist who would fill the house with his voice and guitar playing. Brancasitano attests her upbringing as the basis for her musical inspiration – and the creative style she has gone on to perfect.
Her teen years were spent listening to a range of musical genres and artists, all of which have influenced her musical adaptability.
“I’d describe my music as soulful, raw and heartfelt, sitting somewhere between jazz, blues and contemporary R&B,” she explains.
“My sound has evolved from years of performing everything from Ray Charles and Etta James to my own original material. My influences are broad, from legends like Nina Simone, Aretha Franklin and Billie Holiday, to contemporary artists like Amy Winehouse, and on the Italian side, I’ve always admired artists like Mina and Laura Pausini – these are women with incredible emotion and storytelling in their voices.”
Brancasitano is also influenced by the Italian ballad traditions that shaped her youth: “That deep passion and theatricality really resonate with me.”
She values how music crosses cultural boundaries and in that intersection of a rich cultural background, she finds she can express her own sense of identity.
Brancasitano has rubbed shoulders with many international artists touring Australia, both onstage and in their VIP lounges. Some notable encounters were with Paul McCartney, Pink, Beyoncé and Adele.
She has performed at numerous festivals in Australia and abroad, and wowed audiences.
In fact, Brancasitano was selected to represent Australia at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis in January of this year – the world’s premier blues competition. The competition was intense, but Brancasitano and her band broke through barriers and earned their global accolades.
As part of the 2024 Melbourne Blues Appreciation Society’s (MBAS) Blues Challenge band division, Brancasitano and her band were involved in two preliminary heats with eleven bands in total. Two bands from each heat proceeded to the final, and Brancasitano’s Band won.
She has also performed at major festivals like Blues on Broadbeach and the Queenscliff Music Festival.
Her family is as proud of her as she is of them. Brancasitano grew up enjoying the warmth offered by the family-centric atmosphere of her nonna and nonno, both migrants from Reggio Calabria, and her Filipino family. She reflects on how both Italian and Filipino heritage has shaped her approach to life, music and her aspirations.
Her nonni migrated to Australia in the years after the war, “like so many Italians who were seeking a better life and new opportunities for their families”.
Whilst her father’s siblings were also born in Calabria, Brancasitano’s father was born later in Australia. She recalls the house was full of stories of Italy and life back in Calabria.
“I’m proud of my Italian roots — the food, the gatherings, the stories, the sense of community. It’s such a big part of my personality and my artistry,” she says.
“The soul and emotion that Italians bring to everything, from cooking to conversation. These absolutely inform how I sing and connect with audiences.
“I feel proud to carry that Calabrese passion, the emotion, the resilience and the heart. These are all in everything I do. My Calabrese background gives my music its soul. Music has always been a bridge for me — between cultures, generations and emotions.
“There is a shared joy and expressiveness between my two family cultures that I carry into my performances.”
Brancasitano is aware she represents multicultural Australia, and is passionate about “representing and showing that our diverse backgrounds are our strength”.
The singer continues to enchant audiences with her powerful vocals rooted in Jazz, Soul, Blues, R&B and contemporary music. She is a regular performer around Melbourne at venues like the Paris Cat jazz club, where she captivates audiences with her unique style.
Her future tours include performing at Bluesbash with the likes of Fiona Boyes, Frank Sultana, Karen Lee Andrews, Jeff Lang and Ray Beadle.
As an artist, Brancasitano’s mission is more than just music. Her hope is to inspire others to embrace every part of who they are and to follow their passions fearlessly.
Through her musical storytelling (influenced by Carole King), Brancasitano seeks to empower people to embrace their imperfections, overcome adversity and find strength in their own stories.
Her lyrics are powerful and vivid. Her music plays a big part in how she sees her mission, that is to unite people and engage them in a conversation which is built on shared experiences, powerful narratives and enjoyment through music.
So, watch this space — Brancasitano is ready to take on the world.
Acknowledgment of contribution by Con Pagonis.
