Samuel James Piperato
Songwriter

"I intend to use the fellowship money in one of three ways. First, and most importantly, I will seclude myself with a piano and work on a first draft of a new full-length music-theatre piece. I am also interested in using the money to explore and immerse myself in the musical heritage of Calabria, in southern Italy, where my father’s family originated. The third possibility is to spend the money upgrading my home studio. I desperately need better recording equipment, as well as a better keyboard. The songwriters fellowship will affect my artistic development by providing some small freedom from the daily struggle to survive."

Sam Piperato received a BFA in Dance from the California Institute of the Arts where he majored in dance and music composition. He lives in Durham. Mr. Piperato has been the composer-in-residence for Archipelago Theatre since 1994. He has two CD’s of his work available, "Ten-in-One" and "Snow."

Return to the NC Artist Grant
Award Recipients for 1999-2000


UPSIDE DOWN BOY
Sam Piperato

His mother was “liftin’ belly” with her high school reflection.
She ran off with the plexiglass fortune
Leaving him with his grandfather’s chair.
How could she dare?
I mean, some kinds of mean stick with you.

In this photo he’s an eight year old angel;
‘Til she dips him in the river of anger,
Pickin’ him up, holdin’ him by his heels.
Doesn’t she feel?
I mean, some kinds of mean stick with you.

He’s the upside-down boy.
And boy is he unhappy
With his view from the ground
And the cracks in his crown
Where the other boy comes out
Lookin’ like a ghost
You wanna shake him and say:
“Kick her loose. You deserve more than this.”

Now all that he sees are the skins imperfections.
When you touch him he giggles like a little “Dingle” girl.
Spending his nights in Exile.
And all the while he’s wishin’
Some kinda nice would stick with him.

He’s the upside-down boy.
And boy is he unhappy
With his view from the ground
And the cracks in his crown
Where the other boy comes out
Lookin’ like a ghost fallin’ through the ceiling.
You wanna shake him and say:
“Kick her loose. You deserve more, much more than this.”

Queer son, dyke mother:
Doesn’t mean that they’re bound to love
Or even like one another.
He’s the upside-down boy.
Some kinds of mean stick with you.


Sam Piperato: piano, vocals
Kevin Darbro: electric guitar
Michael Mann: electric bass