Singer-songwriter and piano virtuoso Stefano May shares his personal story of watching loved ones battle Alzehemier’s in his just-released song “Hope It Will Remind You.” His heart-rending and gripping vocal delivery, coupled with the emotive songwriting, will give you goosebumps. This song has such an undeniably powerful effect that will remain with you long after the last note has been sung. We had the pleasure of interviewing Stefano May, and here’s what he had to say:
Q: I see that “Hope It Will Remind You” was written with some inspiration from your personal experiences with friends and loved ones alike, who have suffered from Alzheimer’s. What does this song mean to you?
MAY: This song really means a lot to me. It’s probably my most personal release that I ever published until now. In the writing process, I was thinking of how important it is to live each day to our fullest and to never shy away from showing our emotions. I have learned how to say “I love you” each second that I can, I learned how to also physically manifest the tenderness of some moments with even a simple cuddle… In a few words, it’s like all what I’m living is leading me to “zoom” every aspect of the life between me and my loved ones.
Q: How are you hoping people respond to this song?
MAY: I’m absolutely shocked by people’s reaction to this song. I was thinking, because of how personal this story is, that it would have been treated in a more superficial way, and, instead, I keep receiving messages from people all over the world saying the sweetest things about how much this song is actually connecting to their lives. Even here I learned in the darkest of times, we are never alone to fight certain battles. The video had a great impact on people and probably is leading the way to getting more connected to others.
Q: Can you walk me through your production and creative process in making the video?
MAY: I always thought that the best way to illustrate this story was to use the most intimate moments of my childhood because, in everyone’s childhood, there are the keys and all of the elements that make us who we are as adults. I wanted to go back to those memories when the time spent was peaceful, fun, and free from worry. Reconnecting to that innocent feeling has helped me realise that I want to live each day with my loved ones to its fullest. Even on the technical side of making this video, I found that the VHS footage came to me versus my searching for the right clips. I took this as a sign….. but this didn’t stop the tears from coming down my face during this part of the process.
Q: You were born and raised in Italy, and you began your musical career as a child in Italy. How’s the music scene in Italy? And how has it influenced your music?
MAY: I used to love the music scene in Italy during the time that I was growing up. I was greatly influenced by the Italian songwriters on one side and Motown music on the other. I couldn’t have picked a better time to grow up, everything was so genuine. I was able to live and experience what is today considered “old school” which is so cool.
From then until today, so much has changed culturally and in the industry. Today somebody says things are more achievable thanks to all the platforms that can help anybody to be exposed, but on the other side, the competition is bigger and the quality sometimes is left apart to favor numbers…I embrace this but missing slightly what the past was….
Q: I see that you started working on your first American solo production with record producer, Chico Bennett in 2019. What did you take away from this experience, and how has it impacted your music career?
MAY: Working with Chico is a blessing. I was so lucky to find an amazing producer and to also make an incredible friend. Chico never imposed his ideas but rather listened to my needs and then filtered them through his knowledge and applied what the industry required. The making of every production was absolutely unique!! We went from writing to producing to filming a song in 5 days, like “We Are The Power” to spending an entire month to find the right direction for “Find My Way”. All of this work was framed in a lot of laughs, tears, and friendship.
Q: Do you have any parting message for your supporters or someone currently battling Alzheimer’s, or caring for a loved one who’s battling it?
MAY: I do, I just want to remind everybody to live each day to its fullest and to keep building memories for as long as possible. Always remember to use music as the best instrument of communication with those affected by this disease 💙
Interviewed by Zoey King
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