Q&A: Peter DiMaggio Takes Flight with Independence, Creativity on “Fly Away”
INTERVIEW
INTERVIEW
☆ BY DANIELLE HOLIAN ☆
PETER DIMAGGIO IS THE KIND OF ARTIST WHOSE WORK—refuses to be neatly categorized. A consummate performer and multi-instrumentalist, DiMaggio has built a career that straddles both stage and studio, blending the rigor of classical training with the boundless curiosity of a self-taught musician. Piano, guitar, bass, ukulele, harmonica—he commands them all with effortless versatility, each instrument a different hue in the vibrant palette of his artistry.
Yet, it was not only music that shaped DiMaggio’s path. After studying acting at Interlochen Arts Academy, earning a BFA at Boston University, and honing his craft at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts, he carved out a thriving theater career, performing with acclaimed companies such as SpeakEasy Stage Company, Commonwealth Shakespeare Company, Actors’ Shakespeare Project, and Wheelock Family Theatre. His work on The SpongeBob Musical earned him the prestigious Elliot Norton Award, a recognition of both his skill and his ability to imbue character with nuance, heart and humor.
But DiMaggio is not content to rest on accolades alone. For him, performance is inseparable from creation. As a composer, he has lent his musical voice to original productions like Max’s House at The Tank in New York City and a regional tour, as well as the film score for The Fairy House. Each composition reflects a meticulous attention to narrative, texture, and emotion, a sensibility that carries seamlessly into his songwriting.
In his new single, “Fly Away,” released via his new independent label, Passeri Records, which will serve as the foundation for a larger body of work scheduled for release this spring, DiMaggio emerges not only as a performer but as a fully realized independent artist, asserting his voice with raw honesty and cinematic ambition. The track is a soaring indie-pop anthem that juxtaposes emotional vulnerability with grand, expansive production. Drawing inspiration from the atmospheric depth of The 1975 and the uplifting resonance of Coldplay, “Fly Away” explores the personal terrain of breaking free from toxic cycles, offering hope and empowerment in equal measure.
The music video for “Fly Away” exemplifies this ethos. Conceived as a cinematic extension of the song’s narrative, the project draws on every facet of DiMaggio’s creative experience, acting, film, dance, fight choreography, writing and production. Months of rehearsal, planning and collaboration culminates in a 47-second, single-take sequence featuring more than fifty cast and crew members. DiMaggio’s “all-star team,” assembled from years of work in independent theater and film, brought the vision to life under the direction of Annette Milburn, with cinematography by Raphaël Edwards, choreography by Monica Gallego and intricate production design by Grace Roden and Jillian Rosadino. Every frame reflects not only technical precision but also the trust, artistry and shared purpose that define DiMaggio’s collaborative philosophy.
In speaking with Peter DiMaggio, one encounters an artist who is at once disciplined and exploratory, intimate and cinematic, humble and ambitious. “Fly Away” is not only a milestone in his career, it is a testament to the power of aligning passion with purpose, the possibility of creating meaningful work on one’s own terms, and the belief that when artistry is shared, it can inspire flight, both literal and figurative.
LUNA: “Fly Away” was written during a difficult period. What was the moment you realized it had grown into something bigger than just a personal song?
DIMAGGIO: When I wrote the outro, which was the last piece of the puzzle for me. Making the choice to have our narrator stay in the relationship felt equally universal and true to the feeling about which I was writing.
LUNA: After leaving a toxic relationship, what emotional challenges did writing this track help you work through?
DIMAGGIO: It was a nice way to find true closure on my end. It’s a therapeutic experience to create something tangible out of a generally negative experience. I felt like I was moving in a positive direction for the first time in a while, which was affirming.
LUNA: This is your first fully self-written and self-owned release. What does full creative ownership mean to you at this stage in your career?
DIMAGGIO: It’s empowering. Not just the ownership itself, but the proof that it is possible to achieve industry-quality standards at an independent level. This is very important to me as I’m still establishing myself as an early-career artist and finding my voice in writing and performing.
LUNA: You describe the song as being written from “the middle of it.” How does capturing that raw moment shape the song differently than writing in hindsight?
DIMAGGIO: Writing about that feeling and that time felt like the stronger choice. I don’t think “Fly Away” would be as impactful if our narrator was looking back. It reminds me of good theatre: I’d rather watch our protagonist work through something in the moment than listen to them reflect on something they already worked through.
LUNA: How did the sounds and influences of artists like The 1975 and Coldplay help guide the sonic direction of “Fly Away”?
DIMAGGIO: Influences and references like this are always just a starting place. Coming into a producing session with some reference tracks in mind can be a useful compass, but once you’re moving, you have to let it take a backseat to the ideas that are happening in the room. I have complete trust in my co-producers, Tyler DeTulleo and Charlie Burket, and the combination of that trust and knowing where we wanted to start allowed us to complete most of the production for “Fly Away” in a single session.
LUNA: Passeri Records represents a new chapter for you. What inspired you to create your own label rather than pursue a traditional record deal?
DIMAGGIO: As I continued to build my network of collaborators, I saw a path forward where I could create what I wanted to create on my own terms. It’s a lot more work, but it’s been incredibly exciting to see what my collaborators and I have been able to accomplish independently.
LUNA: How did the success of the crowdfunding campaign shape your perspective on the power of community in independent music?
DIMAGGIO: I was genuinely surprised and overwhelmed with the amount of support we received for what was, at the time, an idea. This project and what is to follow would not have been possible without every single donation that came through. It was incredibly empowering and encouraging to find that so many people believed in us and the promise of a better way forward for independent artists.
LUNA: You assembled what you call an “all-star team” of collaborators. How did those creative relationships develop, and what qualities do you look for in long-term collaborators?
DIMAGGIO: Through years of hard work and collaboration. I met all of my film friends by acting in their short films. And by being the actor they wanted to bring back again and again. I always look for people who are great at what they do, but I value trust above everything else. That trust is built through consistent, high-quality work. Be the problem solver instead of the problem, and I’ll work with you until the end of time. It’s how I try to move through this industry, so I find people with the same work ethos, it’s an easy decision to bring them on the team.
LUNA: Independent artists often face the misconception that high production quality is out of reach without major backing. What do you hope this project proves about indie creators?
DIMAGGIO: With the right people, I think anything is possible. I’m not going to say it was easy, but the possibility to create a major-label quality product at an independent level is at the core of Passeri Records. I think we’ve proven that with “Fly Away.” It’s a long road ahead to build this into something that lasts, but I’m very excited to move forward and see what we can accomplish.
LUNA: You’ve built a career in both theater and film. How does performing live compare with building a story for the screen?
DIMAGGIO: Most of my training and experience has been for the stage.There is something so magical about being live, in the room, with the audience. There’s a great Denzel Washington interview where he says theatre is an actor’s medium and film is a filmmaker’s medium. In the theatre, “Curtain goes up, and nobody can help you.” But for this project, I wasn’t just acting in this music video. I was helping guide the creative process from start to finish. Being able to have input and control over every aspect of each frame allows for extremely specific, and therefore impactful, storytelling. It’s why I love film so much. In good films, every lighting decision and camera move, every choice of lens, aspect ratio, set piece/dressing, and costume is chosen with intention to help tell a story. And that’s where the trust comes in: Annette Milburn, Raphaël Edwards, Grace Roden, Jillian Rosadino and Chloe Palmer are all experts at their craft, and every decision we made together helped make what I hope you all find to be a good film. Go watch the music video.
LUNA: What lessons from your theatrical background carried over most strongly into the making of this song and video?
DIMAGGIO: Oh wow, that would fill up an essay, so I’ll stick to one: your job as a storyteller is to “make it more of what it is.” This is a quote from my directing professor from Boston University, Clay Hopper. He always says the goal of directing is to make the play “more of what it is” rather than pasting ideas on top. I’ve taken that advice and applied it to every creative endeavor I’ve attempted since, to overwhelmingly positive results.
LUNA: For listeners who may be in a similarly difficult situation, what do you hope “Fly Away” says to them?
DIMAGGIO: You’re stronger than you think. And there’s always light at the end of the tunnel, no matter how faint. Even if you can’t see it right now, it’s still there. And it’s worth the search.
LUNA: You play multiple instruments and compose as well. When writing a song like this, do you start with lyrics, melody, or something entirely different?
DIMAGGIO: It’s different every time, but for this one, the riff and the last two lines of the chorus came first. Once I had that, I knew exactly what the song was about. And the rest fell into place.
LUNA: This single introduces a larger project coming this spring. What themes or stories can fans expect as that project unfolds?
DIMAGGIO: More exciting independent collaboration, hopefully resulting in more stories that resonate like “Fly Away.” And some fun surprises, but you’ll have to wait and see!
LUNA: In one sentence, how would you describe the emotional journey of “Fly Away” from the moment it was written to the moment it was released?
DIMAGGIO: Learning to let go.
