Stefano May is an LGBTQ+ singer-songwriter who just released his debut album STEFANO MAY along with an impactful new single entitled “Hideaway”. STEFANO MAY is an awe-inspiring collection featuring acclaimed singles including “We Are The Power” and “Hope It Will Remind You” along with his new release. The Italian-born, Miami-based artist uncovers the beauty of humanity through the eyes of a stranger on “Hideaway”. With roots as both a vocalist and pianist, Stefano May crafts rich sonic landscapes built around the fabric of what makes us human.
Stefano May opened up about the inspiration behind his new single and the release of his debut album in an interview with CelebMix.
1. Tell us about the encounter that inspired your latest single “Hideaway”
I was living in Los Angeles, and oftentimes I would go to Tijuana, Mexico to find inspiration from simplicity and enjoy the Mexican culture that I love so much. It was my last day of that trip while drinking a coffee that a homeless man asked me for a cigarette, and not being a smoker, I told him that I would be happy to buy him some food instead. He declined my offer and asked instead to just have a chat together, speaking in Spanish. The man proceeded to tell me the story of his life, a very surprising and interesting life, full of extreme things, both happy and sad moments. Apparently he was a man that at one time had everything in the world, a career, family and beautiful home, but lost everything by being in the wrong place at the wrong time. He continued to explain the relationship that he had with his son, what all he had been through and with the wrong circumstances had lost some of the dearest things to him. He explained how he had to escape to Tijuana, Mexico because the family wasn’t any longer interested in having a relationship with him. He was a very wise and knowledgeable man who was very polite and elegant in expressing his thoughts. I reflected a lot on the fact that many times we tend to judge others and consequently make decisions, just like his family did with him, but in reality, we may never know all of the facts of what has happened to a person and should explore deeper to help them instead of prohibiting other chances to people who went through a rough time. We always need to remember that we are not on this earth to judge but rather be complimentary, kind and compassionate. I wanted to capture this special encounter in the form of music so that I could have it forever and share this with others.
2. How do the intense sonics featured in “Hideaway” mimic the subject matter of the song itself?
The man who inspired me to write “Hideaway” had a very intense and extreme life living in Los Angeles and now Tijuana, Mexico. The reality of these chapters of his life inspired me to capture the colors of his life in music. What we have is his narrative described with the sound of the piano at the beginning, the sounds of the guitar describing his journey and the depth of his adventure described by a very rich chorus with dramatic dark shades of sound
3. What lessons did you learn from writing “Hideaway”? How has your perspective shifted since completing the song?
I remember one of the greatest lessons that I learned at the age of 15 from my mentor. One day he said, “anytime you walk in the street, you are in the car, you see somebody walking or dealing with something, for a second, just think that that person could be you.” This thought was amplified in such a strong way when I met this homeless man in Tijuana, so the lesson that I learned was this: no matter what we have learned or achieved in life, we are still little dots in an ocean of possibilities. And so, what we need to learn from this lesson is to never lose our identity, our dignity and the most intimate part of our inner selves.
4. What is a memory from the man’s life that sticks out to you from your conversation?
One of things that hurt me the most from this man’s story was that his family completely abandoned him, prohibiting the possibility for them and him to enjoy one another during their remaining time on earth.
5. What would you say to the man who inspired “Hideaway”, if you could speak to him again?
Before I left the man in Tijuana, I booked him a hotel for a few days to guarantee him a place to sleep and take care of himself away from the street. He told me that I was an angel and thanked me, but he didn’t know how many gifts he gave me in that one hour conversation. He gave me so much and made me reflect, with that I would tell him that the angel was him and thank him for the gift he gave me to be inspired.
6. How has your background as both a pianist and vocalist informed your songwriting? Do you begin by developing the vocals or the piano riffs on each track?
I was classically trained at the Conservatory of Rome in piano and composition, those skills are absolutely present in the way I write my songs. I always start with the music first, closing my eyes with my fingers on the keyboard while leaving my subconscious free to ensure that I have a better rendition of my inspiration.
7. In what ways do the songs featured on your album work together?
My self titled album has songs that have a comment about them of writing about truthful, real life things. The listener can enjoy sounds of who I was, who I am, and who I want to be. My childhood is shared in “Find My Way” and “Hope It Will Remind You”, the listener can enjoy my lighthearted side in “Don’t Say Goodbye” and “False Horizon”, the social aspect of life in “Hideaway”, the reflective part of myself in “Prayer” and “Crazy” and my greatest belief in life on “We Are The Power”. All of these aspects are an indissoluble part of me.
8. What do you hope listeners will take away from your album?
I hope that the listeners can be inspired by my stories, even uplifted with the songs that apparently are more melancholic as my intent is never to describe in a sad way what I personally lived, but instead to find the good in the craziest things life may offer us.
9. Describe a pivotal moment for you as an artist that occurred during the creation of your album.
My album was already finished when I decided to add “We Are The Power” that then became the first single to be released. A pivotal moment I can describe is while recording this song I was able to interact with one of my favorite musical expressions ever, gospel. This surely gave me as an artist and to the album the presence of an uplifting and soulful vibe.
10. What’s a lyric that stands out to you from your album and why is it significant to you?
The phrase that is most significant to me in this project comes from the song “Hope It Will Remind You” and that lyric is, “So we just take a good day and make it count for two.” We never have to lose the possibility of living each day to the fullest.
Take a listen to Stefano May’s new music and tweet @celebmix your favorite part!