After writing chart-topping hits for the likes of The Weeknd, Miley Cyrus, Céline Dion and Avril Lavigne, multiple Grammy and Academy Award-nominated composer, songwriter and producer Stephan Moccio now announces his debut album on Decca Records, ‘Tales of Solace’, out on 28th August. Since the release of his first single ‘Fracture’ in mid-April, Stephan’s songs have racked up over 18M streams. His new track, ‘Burgundy’ is out today and is the sixth single to be taken from the upcoming album.
Speaking of the track, Stephan says, “Colours have always played a role in my creative life. I am very passionate about wine, and listening to the chord changes of this composition is like taking a sip of wine. It evokes a rich, deep and complex style which defines my fascination with a beautiful Burgundy and experiencing its endless shades of red.”
With the bombardment of 24-hour rolling news and ever-present social media, we live in a world that moves fast, perhaps too fast. What we could all do with is music that is good for the heart and mind, restoring our inner calm no matter what our language.
‘Tales of Solace’ is a provocative album of melodic, tender piano meditations set to soothe the soul, composed, performed and recorded on his prized, custom-made Yamaha YUS5 upright piano. Exploring some of life’s more profound themes, his first single ‘Fracture’ was written in response to personal relationship struggles and the track ‘Nostalgia’ contemplates ageing through the eyes of a Hollywood starlet past her prime, her illustrious career behind her, and is drawn also from personal experience. ‘Freddie’s Theme’, meanwhile, was inspired by the film Bohemian Rhapsody and its tragic yet beautiful story of Freddie Mercury falling in love with a woman as a gay man.
On this new music, Stephan Moccio returns to his roots in classical composition and back to the instrument he knows best, the piano. But if truth be known, the piano has never been too far away. In fact, they are inseparable. Throughout his career, you can hear his performances on countless recordings by the world’s biggest artists. He has written and composed songs for global stars: ‘Wrecking Ball’ for Miley Cyrus, ‘A New Day Has Come’ for Celine Dion and ‘Earned It’ for The Weeknd – a track featured on the film Fifty Shades of Grey for which he received an Oscar nomination.
His classical upbringing and discipline combined with his pop song-writing sensitivities gives him a unique edge in the piano music genre. It is why he has been recognised for his impeccable mastery of hand-crafted melody, arrangement, harmonic depth and a provocative pianistic touch.
Stephan creates music that moves you, music that is built on years of experience and dedication to his craft and continues to win over audiences globally. It is his ability to convey emotion without words that is so special: writing melodies that course through his emotive and delicately wrought compositions. This new solo piano music is romantic, organic, raw and honest, revealing a more sensual and vulnerable side of this multi-faceted artist.
“I needed to recalibrate on many levels – musically, personally and mentally,” says Stephan. “Solitude and quiet, in a noisy world, are elements I have been craving for a long time. Naturally, it made sense to engage in an intimate conversation between myself and the instrument which has been faithful to me my entire life. Strip it all down… one person, in one room, with one instrument.”
Sometimes music can say so much more than words. In its purely instrumental state, the blissfully flowing sounds of Stephan’s piano playing span the depth of human emotion, with its tender, beautiful, dark and light tones. Perhaps it is truly, sincerely the most international music, transcending cultures, because it has no lyrics. It’s music that can be universally understood – and felt.
‘Tales of Solace’ is out on Decca Records on 28th August.
Find out more at www.stephanmoccio.com
