Tony-nominated Broadway actress, singer, and author Melissa Errico chatted about her new album “I Can Dream, Can’t I?” that will be released on Friday, January 30th.
Song selection process
On the song selection process for the new album, Errico said, “I chose the songs because they are the greatest songs ever written that you’ve never heard of.”
“These are songs by Rodgers & Hart , Irving Berlin, Richard Rogers, Frank Loesser, and Oscar Hammerstein. I promise you that you don’t know all these songs,” she noted.
“They are some hidden gems, and I tied them all with a theme as I was selecting songs, and they are very intimate,” she said.
“It’s just me and Tedd Firth alone at the piano, so it has a kind of closeness built into the situation, so I hope the fans really enjoy it,” she added.
Upcoming shows at Birdland
Errico is looking forward to performing songs from this new album at her forthcoming shows at Birdland in New York City, which will take place from February 13th to 15th (two shows per night), just in time for Valentine’s Day. “I can’t wait to sing these songs live at Birdland,” she exclaimed.
The digital age
On being an artist in the digital age, Errico said, “I understand that some people have a problem with that but Tedd Firth and I can go in the studio, just by ourselves, with a very clear dream, so we are not being irresponsible with the freedom that we are given.”
“We are being given the freedom to offer our own work, and that has been nice. I make videos, I have my own YouTube channel, and we made this record without a producer. In some ways, the digital age is rather freeing,” she elaborated.
“You just need to stay very disciplined and not throw anything at people, or else, there is a lot of noise, obviously,” she acknowledged.
New York City premiere of ‘Solo Mio’
On January 27th, Errico was thrilled to be a part of the New York City premiere of the new Angel Studios film “Solo Mio,” which stars Kevin James, Kim Coates, Jonathan Roumie, and Julie Ann Emery, among others.
“It’s very exciting to be here. I love it when something new is made. This is a new movie and I’m all about creation and creativity. I am very proud. I feel very loved and supported, especially with my new album coming out coming out on Friday.”
Advice for young and emerging artists
For young and aspiring artists, Errico said, “Take advantage of the Internet but don’t be intimated by the opportunities. You need to be very disciplined like you would be if you had a record label to report to.”
“Be very clear with what you are doing, have a concept, and organize your work,” she said.
“Get to know your work before you present it and really live in the work. It’s very easy to not live in the work these days because you can produce it so fast,” she elaborated.
Stage of her life
On the title of the current chapter of her life, she said with a sweet laugh, “All Three Are Almost in College.”
Success
Regarding her definition of the word success, Errico shared, “All three are happy… I have three daughters and if they are happy, it’s not because they are happy, it is because I fulfilled a lot of intentions and passions.”
“Most importantly, I didn’t neglect the girls and I didn’t neglect myself. I feel like I have good balance at the moment. I feel I am in a good place,” she underscored.
Closing thoughts on the new album and Birdland shows
For fans and listeners, she expressed about the new album, “I want people to come and see my upcoming shows at Birdland because the album reflects an intimacy with me and the musicians that is available to people every single time we perform.”
“As a result, my live shows are fresh, truthful and worth coming to,” Errico concluded.
“I Can Dream, Can’t I” is available for pre-order on digital service providers by clicking here.
To learn more about Tony-nominated Broadway actress and performer Melissa Errico, follow her on Instagram and visit her official homepage.
