Oyster Bay resident and independent musician Gianni Paci, a 2010 graduate of Oyster Bay High School, is taking the stage at St. Rocco’s Festival twice this weekend, giving his home town a chance to experience his solo endeavor.
“This is exciting for me because I have been going to the festival for years,” says Paci, who grew up down the street from Fireman’s Field.
Earlier this year, Paci released his first single, “Goodbye,” which has received a lot of attention by fans and media outlets alike.
His two performances, on July 10 and July 13, both at 6 p.m., will feature a combination of his original material and cover songs, though the focus will be on his original songs.
Getting on the roster was a bit of a challenge. “It’s always interesting finding out how to get gigs at these events – it’s like a secret society,” he says, explaining that it took a lot of phone calls and emails. “It wasn’t easy, but I’m glad it worked out.”
Paci has been featured in Newsday as part of their “Close-Ups: Long Island’s Rising Stars” series as well as on-air at college radio stations like WNYO 88.9FM SUNY Oswego and WMSC 90.1FM Montclair State.
“Goodbye” was produced at Cove City Sound Studios in Glen Cove by Eren Cannata, who also played keys and percussion on the song. Paci has already recorded 10 songs and is releasing them one at a time, rather than as a complete packaged album. He plans on returning to the studio this fall to finish the album. He had the opportunity to open for Richie Cannata at last summer’s Downtown Sounds in Glen Cove, and hopes to join them again this year for the Aug. 8 performance.
The electro-pop artist started playing guitar at age 11; as a senior in high school, he joined the chorus and chamber singers, and started writing songs the summer before starting college at New York University. He graduated in January with a degree in musicology and has decided to focus entirely on his music.
Paci performs regularly in NYC at venues such as Rockwood Music Hall, Pianos and Arlene’s Grocery, and has had several shows at Dolphin Bookshop in Port Washington.
Visit giannipaci.com for tour listings and to listen to his music.
