raffaella piccirillo. official website.

BIOGRAPHY

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Host and creator of the international live radio show Burns Envy, Only Hits! - Brucia di Invidia, Solo Grandi Successi!, broadcasting from Italy on Radio Piemonte Torino since 2011. The show features independent new music releases and top hits from all over the world. Submissions: bruciainvidia at hotmail dot it. Stay tuned!

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Born and raised in Cremona (IT) a city renowned for its traditional torrone and world-class string instruments associated with legendary luthiers like Stradivari, Guarneri, and Amati.

From an early age, she showed a strong interest and natural talent for the arts, choosing the drums as her first instrument and later turning her focus to contemporary singing. Alongside her musical journey, her passion for computer science and technical subjects led her to pursue specialized qualifications after high school, which would later prove invaluable in her music production work.

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In June 2008, she took part in the musical Carpe Diem, performing in her hometown theater as a singer, actress, and dancer, following years of training in dance, singing, and various theater workshops. That same year, thanks to a filmmaking course, she met actress Barbara Enrichi (1997 David di Donatello Award winner) and involved her in the making of the video Stella per un giorno.

The following year, Raffaella continued her theater work, performing in the musical Il Mago di OZ and the comedy L'eredità.

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In 2010, deciding to dedicate herself exclusively to singing and music, she entered various competitions and, in June of that same year, reached the finals of the Festival di Saint Vincent. Featured as a guest on numerous emerging platforms such as Radio Popolare Roma 103.30, NewTalentsRadio, RadioStarTV, and Myvoiceradio—to name a few—and the subject of several interviews, Raffaella shared her music while opening up about her work as a songwriter and composer (Press). 

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On March 6, 2011, she participated in the TVS Masterclass_Milan, Italy_Spring 2011 held by maestro Robert Lunte, an internationally recognized instructor for modern vocal techniques (recommended by David Kershenbaum: producer for many artists including Duran Duran, Tracy Chapman, Joe Jackson, Laura Branigan, Bryan Adams, Supertramp, Cat Stevens, Elkie Brooks, and Tori Amos...). Following years of practicing techniques considered "more classical," she definitively embraced this method for her voice training. 

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Driven by her artistic streak and eclecticism, Raffaella decided in the meantime to leverage her technical IT skills, applying them to the fields of sound engineering and music production. 

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On April 5, 2012, she released her first EP, Fragments of my dream, through the label Believe Digital, distributed digitally worldwide. Among the various themes explored, the ironic tone of the single Ragazzi (written by Jacopo Delfini) stood out, receiving a review and an exclusive preview premiere on RadioEmergenti.net (Press).

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In June 2014, she took part in the Summer Classes - Laboratorio di Doppiaggio held by instructor and actor Luca Ward (the famous voice of Russell Crowe, Samuel L. Jackson, Keanu Reeves, Hugh Grant, Antonio Banderas, Kevin Costner...).

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Unable to set aside her passion for cinema, she took part in a major international project: on September 23, 2014, Italy in a Day was released in theaters—the first Italian social movie, directed by Academy Award winner Gabriele Salvatores and executive produced by Ridley Scott. Raffaella appears in the film's official credits for her active participation with her own video contribution. Screened out of competition at the 71st Venice International Film Festival and broadcast in prime time on Rai 3 on September 27 of the same year, the film received critical acclaim, winning the prestigious Nastro dell'Anno at the Nastri d'Argento 2015, receiving several special mentions at the Venice Film Festival, and earning a David di Donatello nomination for Best Editing.

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On August 15, 2015, her EP Fragments of my dream won the Akademia Music Awards in Los Angeles for Best Pop Rock EP in the August 2015 category, earning her an exclusive invitation to the gala award ceremony in Los Angeles on April 21, 2016. The list of winners was also published on the official website of Top40-Charts, the New York-based music publication with correspondents in major cities worldwide

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On July 25, 2016, the official music video for the song Angels Of The Silence was released on her official YouTube and Vevo channels, winning the Akademia Music Award for Best Music Video in the Alternative Rock category for September 2016. Addressing the sensitive issue of pedophilia, the song also supported World Vision—a global humanitarian organization aiding children in vulnerable communities—through initiatives on the independent music platform ReverbNation. The song was later selected as track number 29 out of 35 songs by various artists from around the world for the compilation album Summer | Fall 2016 (released under the American label Studio 4632) on October 22, 2016.

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The following year saw the release of her new musical project 'Puzzle Virtuale', the result of a long series of experiences and collaborations with independent artists from all over the world with whom she had the opportunity to connect and grow artistically. Consequently, on July 21, 2017, the acoustic album Virtual Puzzle was released, featuring a strong introspective component, and distributed globally both physically and digitally across major record stores and music platforms.

The production spanned from Italy to across the ocean, with the "virtual" participation of artists from all over the world, leading to the completion of the entire album at GoPla SoundLab studios (USA and Mexico), which boast awards and artists of the caliber of Neal Schon (Journey, Bad English, Hardline, Carlos Santana...), Sean Paul (Enrique Iglesias, Paul McCartney...), Scott David (Synthpop/Darkwave, A Covenant of Thorns...), Iggy And The Stooges, Counting Crows, Emily Greene, and many others.

Virtual Puzzle received attention from several Italian and international music publications and webzines, including Jam Session 2.0, System Failure, Sardegna Reporter, PressMusic, Radio Tweet Italia, Italia Art Magazine, Hot Music Magazine, Indie Artists Magazine (Canada), and Bluesbunny Webzine (UK). The reviews and features highlighted the acoustic and introspective nature of the project, the variety of influences across the twelve tracks, and Raffaella's remarkable vocal versatility. The British press at Bluesbunny Webzine particularly emphasized her “delightfully accented and somewhat theatrical vocal style,” defining her voice as a distinctive element of the performance. The album was also presented through interviews dedicated to its genesis and the artistic journey that accompanied its creation. (Press)

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The following year, the official music video for the country duet Nel Vento was released. Originally written as an acoustic track, the song was reimagined into a more contemporary and captivating version featuring Alessandro Amato (a 2010 Festival di Saint Vincent finalist) on male vocals. A distinctive feature of the track is that it is sung in both English and Italian, honoring and reaffirming a cross-continental production completed at GoPla SoundLab Studios (USA and Mexico).

Selected from over 10,000 entries, the video competed at the Il Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Festival 2019 (Mumbai)—an international competition open to creativity that promotes art and the art of storytelling, inspiring and supporting the work of creators, writers, directors, and all artists who use written and visual language to tell a story, with a mission to celebrate cinema and the work of aspiring, young independent filmmakers and professionals.

It was also selected for:

- Music Shorts Film Festival 2019 - Missoula/MT - USA (May 14, 2019)

- MoziMotion Film Festival 2019 - North Holland - Netherlands (October 5 – 13, 2019)

- First-Time Filmmaker Sessions Pinewood Studios, England - UK (December 15 – 22, 2019)

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In July 2020, she was recognized as an International Singer/Songwriter by the ISSA - International Singer/Songwriter Association, based in Atlanta, Georgia - USA, as The Official Representative Member for Italy.

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During the Covid-19 lockdown period, Raffaella participated in the major musical production of the international project We Will Overcome, based in Canada. Following fifteen months of work, the original single We Will Overcome premiered on July 1, 2021. "On behalf of the organizers of this project, Angelica Ganea and Giuseppe Mileto: a special thank you to the 48 participants from 40 countries for sharing their gift of voice and making this enormous project possible. The goal is to send a message of hope to all our brothers and sisters in the world and raise funds for those in need in each of our communities... we are in this together and we will overcome TOGETHER!".

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On November 5, 2021, Believe Music officially released Raffaella's new record, the Concept-EP AIRAM R. – the other SIDE of me, available across all music services and streaming platforms. Comprising four tracks, the project explores electronic music through EDM, dark pop, synth pop, and indietronica sounds, developing a thematic journey centered on identity, self-perception, and duality.

The EP received attention from several music publications and webzines, including System Failure Magazine, which highlighted the quality of the sound production, mixing, and mastering, as well as the vocals and melodic research, identifying My Identity as the project's standout track. The same review emphasized Raffaella's ability to navigate both the indie rock and electronic spheres with a clear identity. Furthermore, the official music video for My Identity was selected for the Paus Premieres Festival 2021. (Press)

Airam R. – the other SIDE of me also represents the culmination of years of study as a Music Producer and Beat Maker for Raffaella. It marks a true new debut highlighted by a refreshed visual style, new choices in sound design, and instrumentation featuring modern sounds, synth effects, and electronic elements, as she once again experiments with her versatile voice.

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At the end of March 2024, the nominations were announced for the ISSA Awards 2025 (International Singer Songwriters Association, Inc.), the prestigious annual awards held in Atlanta, Georgia (USA) to celebrate the best independent talents on the international music scene. Raffaella is competing for the final nomination in 4 categories: Sound Engineer, Musician of the Year, Rising Star, and Representative of the Year.

An extraordinary achievement that confirms her artistic versatility and her constant dedication to supporting and promoting independent music internationally.

💫 The live ceremony for the ISSA Awards 2025 will take place on August 23 at the Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center, home of the BMI Awards, in Atlanta, Georgia.

“Heartfelt congratulations on your dedication, talent, and this well-deserved recognition. We look forward to celebrating together with everyone during the live show in Atlanta” — Team ISSA

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🎓 On June 12, 2025, Raffaella further solidified her educational background by earning her Academic Diploma in Music Production from the internationally recognized Mixxin Academy in Boston. This milestone is part of a continuous process of advanced training in sound engineering that has always accompanied her artistic and professional career. The program is endorsed by international producer ELEVIN, a prominent figure in the melodic techno scene with over 20 million streams and collaborations alongside well-known names such as Stephan Bodzin, Adriatique, and Rodriguez Jr. For Raffaella, this represents a further consolidation of her role as an established artist and certified sound engineer. 

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Also in June 2025, the song Untold Story (Acoustic Version) was released globally, in collaboration with British guitarist and composer Kevin Rees. The track, an intimate reimagining of the original 2017 piece, presents an acoustic style blended with modern jazz and a vintage soul. An elegant dialogue between vocals and guitar, it evokes cinematic suggestions and timeless atmospheres, recorded with essential arrangements and a deliberately analog sound.

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On March 24, 2026, In The Modern Dew was released—a new voice and piano version of The Modern Dew, written by musician and composer Michele Annunziata (2020 Gold ISSA Award winner). The track features an intimate and minimalist arrangement that emphasizes emotional depth and vocal expressiveness. It is available on all major digital platforms, accompanied by an official music video on YouTube and Vevo. The song is a finalist at the ISSA Awards 2026 in the Vocal Duo of the Year category, alongside Michele Annunziata, while Raffaella Piccirillo has also been confirmed as a finalist in six other categories: Female Vocalist of the Year, Rising Star, Songwriter of the Year, Musician of the Year, Sound Engineer of the Year, and Representative of the Year. Furthermore, In The Modern Dew is a finalist in both the Song of the Year and Music Video of the Year categories, bringing the project to a total of three finalist categories at the ISSA Awards 2026.

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In July 2026, at the conclusion of its 14th season, the radio music feature Burns Envy, Only Hits! – Brucia di invidia, solo grandi successi! was officially added to the IMDb database. Created and hosted by Raffaella Piccirillo, the long-running radio and podcast series has been dedicated since 2011 to spreading and discovering Italian and international independent music. For over a decade, the program has continuously provided a platform for independent artists, emerging voices, and new music releases, maintaining an international perspective throughout all its 14 seasons. The inclusion on IMDb marks another major milestone in the history of the series, officially documenting its long-standing presence within the independent music landscape.

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Raffaella's involvement in discovering, promoting, and sharing music, however, did not begin with Burns Envy alone. From June 2017 to May 2024, she also collaborated with the music portal Jam Session 2.0 as a writer and interviewer, creating features and in-depth articles dedicated to artists and key figures from the Italian and international music scenes.

Throughout this experience, she had the opportunity to connect with artists of the caliber of Punkreas, Dire Straits Legacy, Andrea Braido (known for his work with Vasco Rossi), Luigi Schiavone (longtime guitarist for Enrico Ruggeri), Mario Riso (drummer and prominent figure associated with Rock TV and RockFM), Jack Jaselli (produced by Max Casacci of Subsonica), Mario Castelnuovo (marking his 38-year career), Carolina Bubbico (who has performed on the Sanremo stage), The Bastard Sons of Dioniso (X Factor winners), Emanuele Colandrea, Sewit (X Factor alum and live performer with Fedez and J-Ax), and Enzo Gentile and Roberto Crema (authors of the book dedicated to Jimi Hendrix, which features contributions from artists and musicians like George Benson, Eric Burdon, Paolo Fresu, Pat Metheny, Franco Mussida, and Carlo Verdone), as well as numerous other musicians, songwriters, and industry professionals.

This editorial work, spanning nearly seven years, integrates into Raffaella's broader journey as an active voice in music promotion, discovery, and journalism, running parallel to her radio career.

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On August 22, 2026, at the ISSA Awards 2026 (International Singer Songwriters Association) ceremony held in Atlanta, Georgia, Raffaella Piccirillo won the Silver Award in the Musician of the Year category, confirming her place among the international finalists for the second consecutive year. Serving as the Official ISSA Representative for Italy, this achievement contributed to an Italian hat-trick at the 2026 Awards, completed by two Gold Awards presented to composer and pianist Michele Annunziata.

This prestigious milestone is closely tied to the artistic journey of In The Modern Dew, a new voice and piano version of Annunziata's original composition, for which Raffaella handled the vocal performance, music production, and sound design. Characterized by an essential and intimate dimension, the project caught the attention of several music publications, which highlighted its interpretative depth, authenticity, and the unique fusion of voice and piano. (Press)

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The value of this international recognition is further amplified by the status of the International Singer Songwriters Association itself, which is recognized as a Registered Media Company with the Recording Academy/GRAMMYs®.

This status allows ISSA to submit eligible works from its Gold winners to the Recording Academy, providing awarded artists with an additional channel of access for GRAMMY® consideration.

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Following these successes across the ocean, the resonance of Raffaella's work continues to expand: her music is currently in rotation on numerous national and international FM and web radio stations, and her artistic journey keeps evolving through multiple ongoing collaborations spanning various musical genres.

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What people from around the world say about her music:

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"The beautiful, trilingual Italian has delivered an exquisite assemblage of passionate pop gems, fragments of the full regalia she will one day inhabit as a world-famous singer and songwriter - her new EP is that promising."
Best EP Pop/Rock August 2015  by Akademia Music Award

" 'Angels Of The Silence' is a gorgeous paean to the silent sacrifice of many - Raffaella Piccirillo has created an anthem for the ages with this gorgeously lensed video" September 2016 Best Music Video Alternative Rock by Akademia Music Award

"Wow! Great song and artist! Raffaella Piccirillo from Cremona (Italy) lays down a beautiful track here. This song def gave me the tingles. Beautiful voice, the production is a A+ and very uplifting. This track gives people hope"
(Wednesday, February 7, 2018 Sister Dorothy's Music Blog)

"It is a fact that there is no shortage of acoustic singer songwriters but Raffaella Piccirillo manages to distinguish herself with a delightfully accented and somewhat theatrical vocal style and a generally spirited approach to the performance of her song Lost"
(July 23, 2017 Bluesbunny)
 
“Una voz italiana que seduce. 
Lo úlmo que nos había llamado la atención de la península itálica fue ese tsunami de bandas metaleras de mediados de la década de 1990 como Lacuna Coil, Theatres des Vampires y Rhapsody Of Fire entre otras. Luego han surgido algunas otras de menor vuelo pero lo que nos impresionó fueron la calidad, versalidad y duclidad de las vocalistas de las primeras bandas mencionadas, Crisna Scabbia y Sonya Scarlet respecvamente. A parr de allí pusimos el ojo en las femmes italianas porque nos pareció suamamente interesante como hecho arsco que pudieran lograr voces tan frescas como femeninas y poderosas, muy disnta la impronta de otras mujeres del eslo y sus variantes. En esta oportunidad una chica nacida en 1978 y criada a la sombra de Torrazzo de Cremona - Italia -, ciudad famosa por su famoso turrón y la producción de instrumentos de cuerda que están vinculados a las figuras de Stradivari, Guarneri y Ama. Estamos hablando de Raffaella Piccirillo” (domingo, 9 de junio de 2019 DELTA80, Argentina) 


"LOST by Raffaella Piccirillo is a fresh and original composition that sings about lost love without the overall use of bluesy, minor tones and without lyrics of lost hope in a challenging romantic situation. This interesting and pleasant surprise of bright instrumentals coupled with hopeful and committed romantic lyrics and vocal styling makes what is commonly a sad song one that is hopeful as the listener can hear the happiness coming around the corner. Nice. "
(21st February 2021, Grace B. from United States)

“Diamo il benvenuto a questo nuovo progetto musicale di Raffaella Piccirillo, un progetto musicale che ci gasa tanto e Raffaella che sia indie rock o electro dimostra sempre di “avere la musica nel sangue” e di avere quel quid che forse ad altri manca”

by System Failure webzine (12th November 2021, from Italy)

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