Pulcinella, a fixture in commedia dell’arte, hails from the heart of Neapolitan culture. This 16th-century Italian theater tradition dealt in stock characters and sharp improvisation. Pulcinella, a hunchbacked rogue draped in white, played the part of a sly, street-smart servant. He knew how to turn the tables on his so-called superiors, blending buffoonery with a sharp mind. Whether he’s outwitting a master or sidestepping fate, Pulcinella was the street-savvy survivor, the everyman who knew how to play the game. His influence reached far beyond the Italian stage, seeping into opera, puppetry, and even ballet, leaving a lasting mark as the symbol of resilience and wit in the face of adversity. This crafty character is still around, proving that while the times may change, human nature—and the clever art of survival—doesn’t.
In her latest track, Black Dahlia has spun a tale around the character of Pulcinella Pegasi. The song strolls through the realms of avant-garde, baroque pop, and new wave, nodding to the likes of Bowie, Klaus Nomi, Martin Dupont, Hazel O’Connor, and Peter Gabriel.
“I deep dove into the poems by Goethe and how the clouds were essentially named by Luke Howard,” she says. “They had really interesting explorations and theories within their works about the meaning of clouds and the relationship between mankind and aerial nature.”
It starts with a moody, brooding intro, setting the stage. As the song unfolds, Black Dahlia’s vocals slip into various personas, embodying the playful spirit of Pulcinella. Lo-fi chants and poetic nods to Goethe add layers, while a quirky, almost sinister movement hints at an evil puppeteer pulling the strings in a twisted skyward dance. The song’s complex structure mirrors the dual nature of Pulcinella himself—a clever mix of lighthearted mischief and dark undertones, echoing through a surreal soundscape.
“It really is my obsession with meteorology, clouds, and astronomy that led to this song,” she says. “My earliest memories were of obsessively reading books on these topics, whilst listening to Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons and Jeff Wayne’s musical version of The War of the Worlds on CD all day everyday.”
Listen to the song below. The single is also available on CD and digital release here or via Black Dahlia’s website.
The concept of the artwork for the single was created by Black Dahlia and was illustrated by long time collaborator and artist Colin J Thompson, who also illustrated her recently released single Bodyguard. The whimsical Pulcinella Pegasi artwork pays homage to 18th and 19th Century art including the styles of Baroque, Rococo and Neoclassicism.
Black Dahlia’s formative years were split between Germany and the UK before settling in Australia, profoundly shaping her eclectic musical palette. Early exposure to experimental music in her youth, combined with formal training in dance, vocals, and keyboard from kindergarten, laid the groundwork for her artistic development. Throughout her childhood, she showcased her talents at local events and competitions, eventually attending a public performing arts high school to further hone her skills in both drama and music.
It was during this period that Black Dahlia began her foray into songwriting, composition, and production as a teenager. Drawn to the echoes of New Beat in Düsseldorf and the atmospheric allure of dark streets, she found inspiration in synthesizer pop and art pop. Her dedication to her craft was recognized with two honorary scholarships from a performing arts association, affirming her burgeoning talent and commitment to musical innovation.
She then moved to Sydney in 2015, where her art direction and eclectic style found a home. Amidst the vibrant Sydney art scene, she founded and led the hyper-vintage-pop project Daisy, gracing stages at events like Beams Festival 2015 and Heaps Gay. Embracing constant reinvention in an avant-garde fashion, she became renowned for her flamboyant, 80s-inspired attire and wigs. In 2016, she took on the role of keyboardist for Sydney-based alternative Prog band, Zu Khanu.
Along with multiple international music releases and premieres, she has performed alongside artists such as Kris Baha, Buzz Kull, Zanias, Enola, Rebel Yell and has also performed at acclaimed Tasmanian music festival, Dark Mofo, alongside artists such as Kim Gordon, Nils Frahm, Spiritualized, and Chelsea Wolfe.
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