Determination drives 18-year-old's singing career

Franco Campanella's No. 1 goal is to make music. And the No. 1 reason he thinks he'll succeed is his determination.

That's what the 18-year-old St. Viator High School graduate said enabled him to spend his senior year working on a six-track EP - an accomplishment he is celebrating with a release party at 7 p.m. Monday at Big Shots Piano Lounge in Arlington Heights.

"I've known since a young age that this is what I want to do. I'm in four choirs, I do all my own music, I'm a professional actor and model. So when I would get out of school, my day is booked until 10," he said. "I think I'm good enough to make it, so I feel like I have the opportunity and it's not an opportunity a lot of people get."

To make the most of this opportunity, Campanella is focusing on booking more shows and exposing more people to the songs on his self-titled debut, two of which he will perform at the release party. "Broken Bridge," "Twelve-Twelve" and his four other songs mainly explore themes of love, "being true to yourself and not hiding who you are," Campanella said.

To produce his music, he sings and plays piano, drums, bass, ukulele and sometimes more instruments. Then, he uses a keyboard and recording software to create other, synthesized sounds. The beats behind his songs have a hip-hop vibe, while the instrumental sounds fit in with mainstream pop music, he said. Campanella describes his vocals as jazzy, making for an interesting mix.

"I guess it's pop, but it's a little different," said Campanella's producer, Antonio Soriano. "There's definitely some dance elements, but it's pop for sure. That's what we're going for."

Campanella has the support of his family as he goes for his musical goals. His mother, Regina, works as his manager, planning gigs, scheduling photo shoots, and promoting Campanella's name, while his sister, Annette Kittel, is in charge of backup dancers and choreography.

"He knows where he wants to be in life and he's pretty much focused," Regina said. "As a parent, I don't know how he does it all, but he does."

His supporters say Campanella's talent - not only his determination - will help him succeed.

"I never really understood how someone could tap their foot, sing, write, play the keyboard and know what's coming next. And he does all that at once," Kittel said. "He's not famous yet, but some people think of him that way and I see him going very far in the music industry as an entertainer."

When Campanella goes to college in the fall, however, he won't be going very far away. He will double major in business and music at DePaul University in Chicago.

"He wants to stay in the area where he knows the ins and outs and has a name for himself," Regina Campanella said. "He's bringing all his music with him into the dorms. He's still going to be writing and composing and driving all around the world to get himself out there. He's not going to stop."

Campanella said he hopes to stay in the Chicago area long-term, but he understands that may conflict with his goal of releasing a full-length album and signing with a record label - because artists on labels often go on 20-city tours.

"Whatever it takes; if I have to leave for three years, I'll do it," Campanella said. "It's totally worth it, though, because this is what I want. My competition isn't resting, so why should I?"