"Upon first hearing the Santa Maria field recording, I felt a strong sense of place. It was as if I were right there in Rome. I cut a section of the field recording and used the priest's words and the loudest plainchant singing to compose a story song. To create a character and add atmosphere, I added a short recording of my own footsteps walking. The song unfolds: a curious traveler; what she discovers and what she takes with her.
"As far as instrumentation, I knew I wanted to use Mandy, my mandolin, to honor Italy. Guitars, percussion, a synth choir of "Ah-Ah", and a walking rhythm help define one night in Rome at closing time."
Santa Maria basilica in Rome reimagined by Anna Tynsky.