Peter DiMaggio shares new single ‘Chasing a Trace’
- Kenny Sandberg
- Jun 1
- 2 min read
Peter DiMaggio has spent years inhabiting other people's stories. From Shakespeare productions to award-winning musical theatre performances and independent films, his career has been built on bringing characters to life. With “Chasing A Trace,” however, he steps firmly into the spotlight as himself—and it may be his most compelling role yet.
There is something undeniably cinematic about the single. Not cinematic in the oversized, orchestral sense, but in the way it creates atmosphere and emotional texture. The opening guitar work immediately establishes a sense of place, while the gentle trumpet melodies evoke late-night city streets, old photographs, and conversations that linger long after they've ended. It feels less like a song and more like a carefully framed scene.
The craftsmanship behind the arrangement is particularly impressive. As a self-taught multi-instrumentalist proficient in everything from piano and guitar to harmonica and ukulele, DiMaggio clearly understands how instruments communicate emotion. Every sonic detail on “Chasing A Trace” serves a narrative purpose, contributing to a mood that remains cohesive from beginning to end.
Vocally, he favours sincerity over showmanship. There are no dramatic vocal acrobatics or unnecessary flourishes. Instead, his relaxed delivery allows the lyrics to carry the emotional weight naturally. That restraint becomes one of the track’s greatest strengths, making its themes of memory, longing, and resilience feel deeply relatable.
In many ways, “Chasing A Trace” feels like the work of an artist finally allowing all of his influences to coexist. Theatre, folk music, cinematic storytelling, and intimate songwriting intersect beautifully throughout the track. The result is a song that feels fully realised, emotionally intelligent, and impossible to dismiss as merely a side project.
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