Peter DiMaggio returns with a striking new release, ‘Chasing a Trace’, the second single from his forthcoming project and the latest offering via emerging independent label Passeri Records.
Where previous single ‘Fly Away’ introduced DiMaggio’s understated melodic sensibility and cinematic warmth, ‘Chasing a Trace’ deepens the palette. The track moves in bittersweet territory, balancing gentle optimism with a sense of lingering absence. Built on layered acoustic guitars, subtle keys, textured slide guitar lines, and a softly luminous trumpet performance evocative of Chet Baker, the single unfolds like a memory you’re not quite finished with, fragile, detailed, and emotionally unresolved. Soft and delicate, the instrumentation acts like a pillowy bed for the gentle, heartfelt vocal performance.
There is a clear attention to organic arrangement throughout. Rather than leaning on polished excess, DiMaggio allows space for imperfection and air, letting each instrument breathe. The result is a warm, tactile sound world that feels equally suited to late night reflection or early morning stillness. His vocal delivery sits close to the listener, conversational, unforced, and quietly expressive, drawing subtle influence from artists such as Jack Johnson and Ethan Tasch while still carving out a distinct identity.
Recorded and produced across Boston, Los Angeles, and Europe, ‘Chasing a Trace’ reflects a geographically dispersed but emotionally unified creative process. That sense of movement and fragmentation mirrors the song’s thematic core.
“This song lives in that space between holding on and letting go,” DiMaggio says. “It’s about searching for pieces of something that once felt important, while learning to move forward with hope. Working with an incredible team across different cities and countries helped bring that feeling to life in a way I’m really proud of.”
Beyond his recording work, DiMaggio’s artistic profile spans theatre and screen. A self taught multi-instrumentalist, he is proficient in piano, guitar, bass, ukulele, harmonica, and more, and has developed a parallel career on stage through training at institutions including Interlochen Arts Academy, Boston University, and the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts. His theatre credits include work with SpeakEasy Stage Company, Commonwealth Shakespeare Company, Actors’ Shakespeare Project, Sh!t-faced Shakespeare, and Wheelock Family Theatre, where he received an Elliot Norton Award for his performance in The SpongeBob Musical.
He is currently leading the regional premiere of Swept Away at Boston’s Calderwood Pavilion, taking on the role originated by Tony Award winner John Gallagher Jr. The production, based on the music of The Avett Brothers and their album Mignonette, has already drawn strong early responses from audiences and critics alike.
On screen, DiMaggio has appeared in award winning short films including Shampoo (2024) and Dissection Day (2025), while also contributing as a composer to projects such as the original musical Max’s House and the short film The Fairy House.
As the second release from Passeri Records and a further glimpse into his upcoming project, ‘Chasing a Trace’ signals a confident continuation of DiMaggio’s evolving musical voice, one that thrives in the space between disciplines, and between emotional certainty and uncertainty.
