Kavisha Mazzella is a renowned Australian songwriter and singer who has won both an ARIA award and an Australia Day Honor. We talked about her work through the lenses of social justice, community building, and the search for deeper meaning and connection. This is a personal, in-depth conversation with lots of beautiful singing in both Italian and English. You can use the detailed timestamps to jump to a song or a topic, but I encourage you to listen through and listen to the stories behind “The Fearless Note”.

I’m an independant podcaster who needs my listeners help to keep this huge project going; every dollar helps: https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman

Kavisha Mazzella website: https://www.kavisha.com/

Timestamps:

(00:00) Intro

(02:09) Italian songs, “The Joys of the Women”

(10:34) Italian song: “Mamma Mia Dammi Cento Lire”

(15:13) emigration, Kavisha’s family’s migration stories

(25:13) Kavisha’s childhood and music, I Papaveri, “The Joys of the Women”

(28:23) Kavisha’s projects with refugees, children, Musica Viva

(33:14) song: “My Brown Yarra” by Frank Jones, dealing with sadness and trauma through music

(35:26) I really do need my listeners’ help: Ko-fi link in description

(35:42) learning confidence as a performer

(38:29) intro to “Philosophy Man”

(40:42) “Philosophy Man” by Kavisha Mazzella

(45:39) teaching singing to community groups

(52:11)experiences of the benefits of meditation, Empty Sky album and performances

(59:32) art school and why Kavisha turned to music full-time

(01:04:08) ARIA award Fisherman’s Daughter, Mick Thomas

(01:05:23) intro to Sing for No One, Sing for Everyone

(01:07:24) Sing for No One, Sing for Everyone by Kavisha Mazzella

(01:11:07) Kavisha’s song-writing process and influences from Italian songs

(01:15:18) Linsey Pollak

(01:17:42) Women’s Anthem “Love and Justice” commission The Victorian Women’s Trust

(01:23:21) great advice from Liam Clancy, Luka Bloom, Ronan Ó Snodaigh

(01:28:36) “The Fearless Note” by Kavisha Mazzella

(01:34:41) the importance of community