Melissa Portelli

Melissa's Bio

Its surreal. I actually have a recording of some of my own compositions - that's something I wouldn't have bet on in a thousand years. What were the chances of that happening to a secretary living in the small Mediterranean island of Gozo?

As a kid I loved singing and had always written poetry and short stories and when I started listening to Nirvana, I realized that I wanted to become a lyricist. I bought myself a shit load of diaries, and filled them with thoughts and pieces of poetry. Writing was a way of coping with my teenage confusion and helped me express my feelings in a kind of rebellious but straightforward way.

After my teenage angst had run dry my world stopped.

I went through a horrific life-changing experience after the brutal murder of my 27-year-old brother, which sent me on a downward spiral of confusion and anger. I crawled inside myself to suppress the hurt. I hated the world and couldn't believe that my family had to go through such a tragedy. Grief overpowered me. My life was a void with no meaning and I could no longer put my feelings into words, I no longer felt that I knew who I was. Eventually, I resorted to drinking to avoid dealing with unresolved grief and became quiet numb.

Music was my redeemer. It took me to a very private place in my soul where I found comfort, and it played a very significant role in mending the broken person that I had become. Although I chose dark, aggressive music to listen to at that time it had helped me return to my true love - poetry.

Alone, pen and paper in hand; I dealt with the stabbing emotional pain - writing was my way of praying. I weathered the storm, the sun came out and eventually I found my way back right to where I had left off.

Just as I was rising from this very low time in my life it changed yet again when my boss Steve heard me singing in the office. At that time he was setting up a home recording studio with the help of Keith Anthony, a friend of mine who played electric guitar in a local band. Steve had suggested to Keith that he compose something on acoustic guitar and was so pleased with the result that he asked me to write a lyric and melody for the recording. Not only was it an exciting and liberating experience, but it was also the creative outlet that I had always yearned for.

Keith is a brilliant songwriter and his unique way of playing makes his compositions very distinctive. The sensitivity and soul in his music is what makes our songs what they are. I feel really honored to be his writing partner.

Together we are Chasing Pandora.

I really don't know where this will take us. My hope is that maybe someone will find refuge and inspiration in our songs in the same way that music helped and sustained me when I needed it most.

This is my story one of personal tragedy, overcoming fears and above all learning to let go.

Nightmares may sometimes be real but dreams can definitely come true.