The Heroine’s Journey of Filomena Croce

What is the best thing that I love about my work?

There are many things l love about my job. When l sing, l am happy. I feel at peace, connected to my inner self. I feel l can be myself, and this allows me to transmit emotions to my audience as well. This is my job: make people feel what l feel, help them escape from reality for a couple of hours with my music. Make them laugh, cry, and if l can donate a smile or a tear of joy to even just one person, l consider my mission accomplished.

What is my idea of happiness?

My idea of happiness is singing on stage. And when l get off the stage, being with the people l love, and talk and laugh together. Hopefully explore some new place with them. And that’s It.

What is my greatest fear?

The cage. Feeling l am not free. Not on a stage. Not surrounded by the smiles of the audience or of the people l love.

What is the trait that I most deplore in myself?

Deplore maybe is too much of a big word lol but I probably procrastinate too long at times thinking l have plenty of Time to do everything l want to do lol which can also turn into a great superpower after all because then l am able to accomplish a lot last minute under pressure when l realize l have no Time at all lol

Which living persons in my profession do i most admire?

Surely Award Winning producer Roy Hamilton lll. He personally invited me to Toronto, Canada to work together on my latest single Renaissance last summer and it was such a great experience. His family has been into music and producing for three generations and he has previously worked with great names such as Britney Spears, Michael Jackson, NSYNC and l had been wanting to work with him for years. I am so happy it happened. Our song Renaissance has been released on all digital platforms on the 16th of February 2023.

What is my greatest extravagance?

I strongly believe in my dreams and make them come true no matter what other people think, which some might find curious because l really don’t care about what society dictates l should do. I decide how my life looks like. I was born in a city in the south of Italy as the only musician in my family, so with no connections at all in the business, and not coming from a wealthy background, and still l managed to move to various countries and travel around the world on my own for my music, earn a Master of Music, work with Grammy Award winners, sing at Arenas, have my performances watched by millions of people, have my original music out into the world. I was hurt by what some people have said throughout the years but when l realized that it said much More about them than what it said about me, l just kept going my way without listening to anyone.

On what occasion would I lie?

Maybe not really lie, since l am not good at it, but as years are going by l am learning to only share what l want to share with people and that l don’t have to feel guilty if l want to keep some things to myself. Boundaries are important.

What is the thing that I dislike the most in my work?

How much music isn’t considered a real job but just a hobby by quite some people around the world, and especially in some places. I have fortunately managed to earn a reputation in my field, but this is actually quite a big problem because many musicians are not being taken seriously or are being taken advantage of. Many amateurs regularly accept to work for free or in exchange of a meal because they don’t really care and often have other jobs on the side, but this is very damaging for professionals because then restaurant and club owners no longer want to pay them. It’s like a circle. So, yeah something should be done about that.

When and where was I the happiest, in my work?

One Time l can surely think of is when l sang at Tomorrowland Belgium, one of the most famous EDM festivals in the world, in the summer of 2019. This festival welcomes 400.000 people each year, so l knew it was gonna be a great experience, and l felt so much joy and adrenaline when l got on stage, but l realized how amazing that show had been only when l watched the video of the performance on the bus with the other members of the orchestra afterwards. It was already so exciting while l was living it but the result was a thousand times better. Our performance of the Symphony of Unity has been watched by a million people online in the first 24 hours.

If I could, what would I change about myself?

I look so confident on stage, but as a human being l also have my insecurities like everybody else, so l would say probably that ahah

What is my greatest achievement in work?

There isn’t only one, l am afraid lol from my Master of Music to Tomorrowland Belgium; to Tomorrowland Our Story with múltiple Grammy Award Winning orchestra Metropole Orkest at the Ziggo Dome Arena in Amsterdam in front of an audience of 17.000 people supporting DJs Armin van Buuren, Tiesto, Afrojack, Steve Aoki; teaching at a Conservatorium; singing at the London Jazz Festival 2020, winner of the JazzFM Innovation Award in 2021; having my first EP Love Will Come Back finally out; flying to Canada to work with Roy Hamilton lll. There are so many things lol

And the Best is yet to come!

Where would I most like to live?

I have lived in so many places that l don’t know anymore ahah l miss The Netherlands and Mexico but l also want to still explore new places as long as l am able to do so. I don’t know. We’ll see what happens. Life is full of surprises. I’ll take it one day at a Time.

What is my most treasured possession?

I have travelled around the world for the past ten years. I have lived in Italy, The UK, The Netherlands, Mexico, Turkey. My life is stored in a big luggage, many things have gone lost so with Time l have learned (and still am learning) to give less value to objects and material things and More to people, experiences, loved ones.

What is my most marked characteristic?

The same as my greatest extravagance, maybe lol l am a very determined person.

What is my most inspirational location, in my city?

Thinking about my hometown in Italy, surely the sea. Its smell and sound are so calming, l always long to go when l am there.

What is my favorite place to eat and drink, in my city?

Home.

What books influenced my life and how?

Musically speaking, “Bossa Nova: The history of the Brazilian Music that seduced the world” written by Ruy Castro. Beside other genres, l sing a lot of Brazilian Music from the ’60s and that book taught me a lot in the beginning.

You Only Die Once. What music would I listen on my last day?

I don’t know, l’ll think about it when it’s Time. Meanwhile, as l sing in my latest song Renaissance “I want to live, l want to give this life another chance”.

Who are my heroes and heroines in real life?

I like to think l am my own heroine. And my grandmother.

Which movie would i recommend to see once in a lifetime?

I don’t know, l’m the kind of person who likes to be surprised every day, so it just happens that l watch something and think “this is the Best movie/series ever” and then l watch another one and think the same lol

What do the words ‘You are the storyteller of your own life’ to me?

I strongly believe we can live the life we want and write our own Story if we really believe in It and act on it to make It come true.

Who is my greatest fan, sponsor, partner in crime?

My grandmother. She was the first one to believe in me. My song Goodbye my Love is about her.

Which people or companies would I like to work with ?

I would like to keep working with Roy Hamilton lll also in the future. It would be a great honor.

What project am I looking forward to work on?

I am moving to Turkey in a few days to sing there for a few months and l am sure it’s gonna be a great experience.

Where can you see me or my work?

You can find me on Spotify, Deezer, YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook.. a bit anywhere. Just Google Filomena Croce and you’ll find a lot about me ahah

What do the words “Passion Never Retires” mean to me?

Passions are ageless. Whether you’re 9 or 90, you can always pursue your passions and do whatever makes you feel alive and happy.