Lontano (Italian for “far away”) is a long-distance songwriting project, featuring Roz Pappalardo and Anthony Dettori. Since 2020, these seasoned performers have been remotely collaborating to create an astounding collection of songs that explore the physics of human connection. During that time, Dettori has been based in Brisbane, while Pappalardo’s career has taken her from Cairns to Hobart, Darwin, Tamworth, and even further afield. But in a way, geographical separation has proven a creative advantage.

The Lontano approach combines divergent perspectives in order to birth surprising new narratives that are neither fact nor fiction, but still viscerally personal, rich with meaning and salience. It facilitates courageous honesty, self-awareness, and experimentation. This philosophy is echoed in Lontano’s arrangements, which feature intertwining lead vocals (with sublime harmonies and countermelodies) augmented by a masterful blend of simple acoustic guitar, lush instrumentation and authentic, heartfelt emotion.

From foundations of spacious earthy, alt-country storytelling, Lontano’s songbook continues to develop, revealing a toolkit that unapologetically applies expressive elements from folk, country, rock, roots, blues, and even contemporary classical music.

The result is a remarkable collection of luscious, engaging duets, and a compelling abstract of the human journey. The Lontano project serves to remind us that solidarity and mutual respect based on what we have in common can be more powerful than the differences in our circumstances, interests and attitudes.