Once you bear one of the well-known surnames in Italian music, the expectations of others (report corporations, the general public, the press) might be an insufferable burden. But one of many instantly noticeable qualities of 25-year-old Matteo Bocelli is an innate serenity, an ideal emanation of these well mannered manners that contributed to creating his father Andrea Bocelli an icon of music and elegance well-known in Italy and world wide.
For the Bocellis, music is a household matter. It was his father who launched Matteo’s profession 5 years in the past with the duet “Fall on Me,” a single from the album Sì, which debuted atop the Billboard 200. Not dangerous for his first public look.
Now Matteo Bocelli is able to fly along with his personal wings. And he desires to do it in his personal distinctive means: Within the 12 tracks (14 within the deluxe model) of his debut album Matteo (out now by way of Capitol Information/Common Music), his father’s operatic vocal model offers solution to a transparent pop strategy that encompasses Ed Sheeran-style ballads (his nice idol) in addition to uptempo songs.
How did he come to search out his personal sound? How is he constructing his profession? Billboard Italy met Matteo in Milan shortly earlier than the album’s launch.
Your inventive “baptism” was 5 years in the past with the one “Fall on Me” in duet together with your father. What did that second signify for you, and what have the final 5 years of your life been like?
“Fall on Me” was unquestionably an essential begin. It was the spark that began all the pieces, and these years have been stuffed with feelings and exquisite experiences. The tune opened many doorways, for instance the opportunity of signing a contract with Capitol Information in Los Angeles. The crew supported me proper from the beginning, permitting me to work on the challenge in one of the simplest ways till reaching this primary album. “Fall on Me” was a singular expertise. Now it’s time to proceed by myself two ft and begin a brand new path with a challenge that I really feel is completely mine.
Regardless of what one would possibly count on out of your surname, your challenge has a transparent pop dimension. Through the years, how have you ever honed the sound you needed to attain?
I’ve all the time been near opera and classical music, however the music I sang at dwelling was pop. However that doesn’t imply you understand precisely what you need. You have to work on issues, to attempt, to experiment. These years have been very helpful to find the sound I’m snug with. In recent times we wrote a few hundred songs, then we chosen 14 for the [deluxe] album.
Speaking about pop music, who’re your idols from the previous and the current?
I all the time say Ed Sheeran. He isn’t solely an unbelievable artist, but additionally an attractive particular person — not less than that’s what I perceived the occasions I met him. Sure, I may say he’s an idol of mine. Plus, I’m a romantic, and he’s the king of ballads! However on the similar time, he’s been in a position to obtain an enormous success with extra uptempo songs too. That has all the time been a dream of mine: to have sluggish and mawkish songs but additionally have the ability to make folks soar at live shows. Nevertheless, I’ve all the time listened extra to the music of the previous, particularly Lionel Ritchie, Elton John, Queen, in addition to the nice Italian artists.
The album begins with “For You,” an uptempo observe. Why do you assume it’s the greatest opener for the challenge?
In that case, I requested the report firm for recommendation. Capitol Information targeted quite a bit on that tune. After I made a demo of it, I instantly understood that it was a tune wherein I felt actually good from a vocal perspective. Additionally I perceived it as a “prime” tune for live shows.
“Chasing Stars,” written by Ed Sheeran along with his brother Matthew, talks about their relationship with their father. It looks like a tune tailored for you.
I met Ed when he launched “Good Symphony,” the duet he did with my father. He then despatched me a few concepts. “Chasing Stars” was the one which struck me essentially the most. I used to be struck by the melody, as a result of Ed has an unmistakable contact, and the message, good for my story. Even when a tune is written by another person, it’s a must to see your self in what you sing. Once you sing sure phrases, it’s a must to really feel them. Sure, that appeared like a tune written particularly for me. Now we have in frequent the truth that now we have a household that loves music and has inspired their youngsters to study it.
The songs are principally sung in English however some are in Italian. Why did you wish to use each languages?
Having signed the contract with Capitol Information in the US, I additionally should make music in English. However the deep cause why I signed with them is that I grew up singing in each Italian and English. So it has all the time been my need to sing in English, and I knew that label would give me many alternatives to collaborate with nice worldwide songwriters. On the similar time, it’s important to not overlook your origins. I take into account Italian lyrics the deepest and most stunning in your complete historical past of music. English-speaking songwriters take into account us nearly saccharine, extreme. However I believe that’s the fantastic thing about our language. We’re romantic, there may be nothing we are able to do about it!
Your challenge has a powerful worldwide projection. What thought of “Italianness” do you wish to convey overseas?
To place it merely, I’m very proud to be Italian. I hope that past our nationwide borders, folks can admire the songs I sing in our language. Italy is so cherished world wide; there isn’t a want for Matteo Bocelli to push that.
In 2019 you carried out on the Sanremo Competition in a duet together with your father. Now your album is out: Is it the precise second to go there once more, as a contestant this time?
It’s a query they’ve been asking me ever since… [Laughs] I perceive that in Italy, the Sanremo Competition has a elementary significance, it’s the smartest thing an artist can aspire to. And I don’t deny that it might be a terrific emotion for me too to go on that stage — not alongside my father as a visitor, however on the frontline as a contestant. However for my part you need to go there if you end up really satisfied, with a tune that basically identifies you.
Final 12 months you collaborated with Sebastián Yatra. Do you additionally want to step into the Latin market too?
Certainly one of my largest fanbases is the Mexican one, so it’s essential to control that market. However it’s a must to get there ranging from the belief that you need to do what you want. I’ll by no means [do] one thing simply because that’s what the market expects. If a collaboration with one other Latin artist have been to occur and persuade me, then why not?
