Written by: Victoria Kennedy

The Bocelli name is synonymous with unparalleled talent and timeless melodies. Now, Matteo Bocelli is carving out a distinctive path, set to take center stage in the heart of the pop genre. His artistry stands as a testament to individuality, marked by strong musical prowess.

I had the pleasure of meeting with Matteo to discuss the launch of his debut in the solo spotlight with the release of his album and announcement of his first solo tour in America. Delving into Matteo’s world unveils the essence of his singular journey, establishing him as a remarkable force in the world of music. Matteo’s name itself is a hallmark of his personality, solidifying his identity as a pillar of the musical industry.

This step in his career marks not just a musical milestone for Matteo, but a profound journey of self-discovery, authenticity, and the creation of a deserved and unique artistic identity.

Patiently-Awaited Debut

The journey to Matteo’s debut album has been a story of perseverance and anticipation. As the son of world-renowned Italian Tenor, Andrea Bocelli, Matteo is no stranger to the spotlight. Having sung on various albums of Bocelli’s, Matteo grew up with music in his blood.

Reflecting on the years leading up to this moment, he shared, “Honestly, I have been waiting for this album since 2016, when discussions began about potentially making a record with David Foster.” However, the path to realization wasn’t immediate. Matteo recounted the initial hesitation from his father, who advised him to wait, citing a need for maturity.

The breakthrough came with “Fall On Me,” sung by Matteo and his father, followed by signing with Capitol and assembling a dedicated management team. Matteo’s debut album became a culmination of years of dreams and collaboration with various composers and musicians.

He revealed, “We collected something like 100 songs… and then, obviously, we selected 12 for the record. The decision for which songs to put on the album follows, of course, the songs that we prefer, but also the songs that are the best representation of this particular time in my life.”

Matteo’s sentiment is astoundingly masterful and personal, displaying a recognizable collision of passion and work ethic.

True Essence in Creative Process

During our conversation, he opened up about his creative process, shedding light on the importance of imbuing his personal essence into his work.

“I am more into music, and I am not a lyricist. However, what makes the big difference in writing is that I’m able to talk about things that are personal to me, things that are authentic to me,” he said. “The idea or theme I want to talk about in a song always starts from me.”

While his inclination is more towards the musical aspects, Matteo emphasized the necessity of infusing personal experiences into his lyrics to create a genuine connection with his audience. His genuine, visceral need for authenticity is clear, giving the primary ingredient for which this article sources its thesis.

“Matteo”

The new solo album, titled simply “Matteo,” is not just a collection of songs but a deeply personal statement. He explained that the message of the album as a whole is a mixture of emotions and moments, rather than following one specific theme — as all of us have many experiences that make up who we are.

Some great examples of those experiences include the song “Fasi,” which talks about the moment when he finally made his first record and embarked on his first solo tour. Another beautiful song, titled “Honesty,” is deeply rooted in the importance of trust, honesty, and integrity.

“Honesty is one of the values that I give the most importance to,” Matteo explained. “As you can imagine, there were many people around my family for my entire life. As a little kid, there were people who loved us, but also people who were there to serve their own interests. It was tough for me to find the right people to be surrounded by. In ‘Honesty,’ I wanted to talk about that value, and the people that I have been lucky to meet and have next to me. I feel like a very lucky person.”

He went on to share that even behind successful families, though everything looks “so perfect, so easy, so good, and so beautiful,” the truth is that we are all human, and we all have worries, pains, arguments.

Discussing the title, he shared, “This record is myself, 360 degrees. It’s like saying, ‘This is me now. I introduced myself.’ And I think that was the most honest and good way to title my album.”

Addressing the weight of expectations thrust upon him as Andrea Bocelli’s son, Matteo spoke candidly about the gratification of being true to himself.

“The negative is that people have expectations, and also this expectation has to follow a specific genre of music. People might expect me to follow my father’s exact footsteps,” he acknowledged. “Yes, I make music, but that doesn’t mean I have to make opera and crossover. With pop, I feel the most happy and the most myself. That is why this album is pop. It is Matteo.”

The messages within the album are diverse, reflecting a mixture of emotions and experiences from Matteo’s former years, but the overarching theme is one of individuality — something that many pop artists strive to convey. With “Matteo,” the listener is granted the passion all artists share.

The First Solo Tour in America

As Matteo prepares for his first solo tour in America, he shares a mix of excitement and nervous anticipation. Having already experienced the European leg of the tour, he hopes to create positive and memorable moments for his American audience.

“I hope people have a nice experience. I hope they come home and say, ‘This was such a lovely evening,’” Matteo said. “I want to leave in people’s souls and hearts a positive and good emotion.”

Matteo aims to connect with his audience on a profound level, leaving them with a lasting and positive experience that keeps them coming back to his music again and again. He also noted that he will always be himself whether performing at home or abroad, which strikes the target, right on brand.

“I will always be myself, no matter who is watching,” Matteo shared. “Although, I might add a couple of songs from the Christmas album since the tour is mostly in December!”

His decision is apt, as Matteo’s songs on the family Christmas album — performed with his father and sister last year — are the most-streamed songs on the album, aside from just one.

Looking Ahead

Discussing the future, Matteo envisions the next five years as a journey of continuous self-expression and growth. He urges aspiring artists to always be authentic to what we have inside us.

“In five years, I just hope to have more records out, more music out, and to be able to reach the most souls possible,” he said. “Otherwise, I could have just sung for myself at home. Once you decide to express yourself, it is the most rewarding thing for an artist: To be able to share my art with an audience.”

Matteo’s commitment to faithful originality positions him as a rising star, poised to leave a freshly-independent mark on the global music stage at large. As he steps into the limelight — on his own this time — Matteo emerges not just as a liberated and mature artist, but as a storyteller, his music gracing us with the crisp, raw emotions he has experienced in his rise to his personally branded distinction.

About Matteo Bocelli

Matteo Bocelli, son of the renowned Andrea Bocelli, is transcending expectations with his debut solo album “Matteo,” a profoundly personal and diverse collection of songs that encapsulate his journey of self-discovery and the creation of a unique artistic identity, as he prepares for his first solo tour in America. He aims to connect with his audience on a profound level while staying true to himself and leaving a lasting and positive impact in the world of music. To learn more and get tickets, please visit https://www.matteobocelli.it/