It is often said to become a true artist one has to make a journey to embrace one’s inner-soul and find inspiration along the way. Having relocated from Melbourne to Italy in 2008, Pete Ross (the former guitarist from highly popular Dan Brodie & The Broken, has done just that….tracing his musical and family ancestry, after he packed up his life and moved in a quest to find all these things and more.

Pete was in a sense following his fathers’ footsteps (Peter Ciani is an iconic 1950s Italian pop star, and made history in the Australian Music industry in 1963 when he emigrated to Australia and EMI released worldwide his first Australian disc with two of his own compositions in Italian). But Pete was searching for more than that. He is on a quest to find truth, beauty and life in other parts in a world where everything resonates with his past and future.

Pete has rapidly forged his own career in Italy by signing to Steamroller record label and has been touring extensively to an ever-expanding and adoring Italian crowd. His Australianness is a curiosity to his fans, but his Sicilian roots have embedded him in the local culture. Performing at various summer festivals in Southern Italy, as well as numerous television appearances, including three performances on RAI International, gaining him immense exposure, Pete has also toured France, Spain and the UK.

Pete’s inspiration to record Six String Suicide and later relocate to Italy first came in 2005, when he spent three months in his parents’ hometown of Sicily discovering his roots, to which he pays respect by recording the traditional Sicilian folk song Sciuri Sciuri.

Early in 2008, Pete was one of two finalists nominated for the Aristocrat Country Entertainer of the Year at the Tamworth Country Music Festival performing Sciuri Sciuri. As a soloist, he was a finalist at the 42nd annual CCMA song-writing awards.

After a successful Italian release in Feb 09 and subsequent Italian tour (which included a sell-out Milan show), Pete has now briefly returned to Australia to release his album Six String Suicide, which was recorded with his band, The Paesanos and to undertake a national tour before he returns to Italy in August for more touring in Spain, France and other parts of Europe.

Pete’s troubadour song-writing encompasses a brooding, contemplative tone, where he truly bears his soul, in a vein similar to his musical heroes such as Bob Dylan, Lee Hazlewood and Scott Walker. Pete’s longing lyrics combined with powerful storytelling is of a highly personal nature, enabling each song to come to life and strikes a chord to the human condition, love and loss…..all encased in an extraordinarily well-produced folk/county/rock styling. Dark, rich vocals and proficient guitar playing are Pete Ross’ key attributes, as well as a well-crafted song.

Pete Ross & The Paesano’s comprise of Pete Ross (guitar/lead vocals), Matt Green (guitar/backing vocals), Monique Boggia (keys/backing vocals), Dave Watkins (drums), and Graham Franklin (double bass). Melbourne musical luminaries Matt Walker and Liz Stringer also make guest appearances on the CD.