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STEFANO CAPOBIANCO
As a solo artist, Stefano Capobianco already has two full-length discs and one Ep to his credit. He also has two Eps under his belt as 1/2 half of the duo called Proper Villains, a collaboration with singer/keyboardist Cindi Law. A multi-instrumentalist, Stefano is also an excellent arranger/producer. In the past year and half, his artistry as a guitarist/bassist/singer has put him in the pantheon of in-demand session players for top independent artists in Los Angeles.
Stefano Capobianco cut his teeth in New York City, where he quickly developed as a guitarist, singer, and consummate live showman playing five nights a week for several years in many cover bands as well as in groups playing original material. In his various ensembles, Stefano opened for such major acts as Ween, Marcy Playground, Norah Jones, John Mayer, Mighty Mighty Bosstones, and Spin Doctors. Heading to Boston, MA, Stefano played bass in a power-pop/rock band called Little John in which he got to make a record with Mike Deneen, producer of such notables as Aimee Mann, The Click Five, Guster, Letters To Cleo, and others, that was released on the EMI record label. It was in this New England metropolis that Stefano also made his first solo album, co-producing the record with Ted Paduck and Tom Richards for Crane Mountain Records. Titled by his first name only, Stefano is an emotional powerhouse of blended guitars, commercial yet modern Rock rhythm tracks, great vocal harmonies, and exuberant, highly affecting songs heavy on passion, love, pain, yearning, and existential desires best articulated by a singer of such depth. Boston could only offer the burgeoning artist so much, though, and Stefano packed up his guitars and suitcases for Los Angeles in pursuit of the California Rock `n Roll dream. In a recent interview with Hollywood2You, Stefano explained: "I didn't feel as though anyone was really listening to my style or me as a solo artist in Boston. If you were doing something that in any way seemed eager to be successful, then it didn't seem to go over very well. I guess my sound is a bit more mainstream than `inside' as I'm really more straightforward pop. Sure, I want to be successful; but I'm only going to do it on my terms, writing the songs that please me most. As a songwriter, I feel audiences responded to me much more in L.A. - immediately. People warmed to my songs; and I've felt much more appreciated since moving here."
Before setting up residence in Los Angeles, Capobianco recorded his second solo disc, A Future I Can't Leave Behind, in 2000. By 2003, he had recorded another Ep (Conversations With Myself) and delivered an Ep entitled Parade with keyboardist/singer Cindi Law, operating as a duo under the name Proper Villains. The disc was made with producer/engineer Meghan Gohil of Hollywood Recording Studios. Gohil has made records with innumerable independent artists in Los Angeles as well as having worked with the likes of Warren Haynes, Trey Anastasio, Bob Weir, and former drummer of The Cure, Lol Tolhurst, among many others. Proper Villains also delivered another 5-song Ep in late 2005, with three out of the five cuts being produced by the duo on their own.
Capobianco's influences are a diverse cross-breed of British Rock legends such as The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Sting, Peter Gabriel, and Pink Floyd. Given equal billing in the realm of music he has absorbed are The Eagles, Fleetwood Mac, and other bastions of the California Sound.
Stefano's songs are melodic, instantly memorable, and guitar driven. The lyrics and music are never a separate equation, but inextricably melded elements at the crux of a powerful, emotive listening experience. "The lyrics are passionate expressions of my feelings that I can't otherwise convey solely through the words. They're meant to be heard with the music so as to create an emotional context the audience can recognize within themselves. While expressing some personal emotion, the lyrics can still be interpreted by the listener in context of their own experience. Generally speaking, the songs are about being seen, heard, and appreciated while appreciating ourselves and humanity. Love. Growth. Humanity."
When asked to describe himself as an artist, Capobianco gives an unusual response. "The message is FEED YOUR SOUL." In no other forum is that message as clearly evident as it is in Stefano's live show. Although he wears a lot of hats in the guises of singer, songwriter, guitarist, producer, and engineer, Capobianco identifies himself most as a performer. "I want to be on the stage playing and singing more than anything." Stefano performs with an intensity rarely seen since the Rock era of the late `60s and early `70s. Whether in the animated, supercharged showmanship of his more driving Rock songs or in the sublime evocations of his ballads, Stefano Capobianco pulls out all the stops with not so random precision, otherwise his shows would not be of the consiste - H2You
Discography
Stefano 1997, A Future I Can't Leave Behind 2001, Conversations With Myself 2003, Lovesick 2007.
Photos
Feeling a bit camera shy
Bio
Stefano is part of a new breed of American singer/songwriters in that , as half white and half black he has a perspective and voice that truly reflect the changing face america.
New Jersey-born singer/songwriter/guitarist Stefano Capobianco has found his musical home somewhere between rock-and-roll grit and melodic pop. As a skilled songwriter, he creates memorable melodies and harmonies as pleasing to the heart as they are to the ear. His dynamic vocal range allows him to move fluidly through a variety of emotions as expressed by lyrics that speak honestly and candidly to life experiences and observations. As a performer, Capobianco demonstrates unabashed energy, honesty and wit.
From 1995 – 1997, Capobianco played bass for the band Little John who, under a record deal with EMI, released two CDs entitled “Derailer” and “We’ll Always Have Ohio.” He would soon return to his solo career by recording his first solo CD “Stefano” and making a move to Los Angeles. This move resulted in a variety of musical endeavors including the establishment of popular duo Proper Villains with singer/songwriter/pianist Cindi Law -- as well as live and studio work with other, like-minded artists/bands including Jerry Wagers, Michael McCarthy, Jason Moss, Kelly Burgos, and Red Letter.
Capobianco continues to write, record, produce and perform his original material. He performs consistently as a solo artist as well as an accompanist at many of L.A.’s frequented music venues including the House of Blues, Genghis Cohen, The Viper Room and The Mint. He has also played Nashville’s renowned Bluebird Café; New York’s CBGB’s, The Bitter End and Arlene Grocery; Boston’s Paradise and Avalon; and San Francisco’s Fillmore, opening for Norah Jones and John Mayer. His songs have appeared on television’s E! “True Hollywood Stories,” MTV’s “Wanna Come In” and “Score,” the WB’s “Dawson’s Creek” and “What I Like About You” as well as in a variety of films including Punch, Kick, Burning Annie! and Slingshot.
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