By Natasha Barbieri
French singer-songwriter Sébastien Izambard has toured the world as part of the crossover phenomena ‘Il Divo’. The brainchild of music mogul Simon Cowell, Il Divo has sold 30 million albums since their first release in 2004 and maintains one of the most enthusiastic fan bases in the crossover community. Of course, Sébastien’s own journey began many years before.
Known as an introvert as a youngster most people probably didn’t believe he would become a world-famous entertainer. Sébastien studied at the Lycee Janson de Sailly school and, with the proper support, blossomed. Though he tells us his first performance wasn’t exactly a success: “It was a funny experience, in France, there is one day in June, where we celebrate music. I was playing my guitar in the street, many years ago now and I was trying, to attract the attention of these beautiful ladies. The next thing I feel is a bucket of water thrown at me and [being] asked to shut up. I will never forget that day and still laugh about it.” Still, he took it in stride going home soaking wet but still laughing and not discouraged.
The first concert he ever went to was David Bowie and he also was inspired by Led Zeppelin. He tells us though that the Beatles “were definitely my biggest influence.” Sébastien was also to gain experience with theater roles such as ‘Le Petit Prince’. The experience was so positive that castmates formed ‘La Troupe.’ He says, “We loved being with each other so much we thought, why don’t we try to form a band that sings musicals?” Though the group was not to reach anywhere near the mania Il Divo has achieved it remains “a beautiful memory.”
n 2000, Sébastien released his first popular album ‘Libre.’ Looking back eighteen years his style has definitely evolved. “I have changed from who I was back then and what I wanted to say. But also, from my musical influences. People might not know this about me, but I love basketball and R&B music. I get a lot of inspiration from that.”
His involvement with Il Divo also brought about an evolution. His bandmates, Carlos Marin, Urs Buhler and David Miller are all classically trained, with numerous performances in classical works and operas under the belt. Sébastien tells us at first singing with vibrato was “very strange” and “unsexy to him.” Still he eventually found a way to blend the styles. “It seems to have worked for [the] most part, however I will never pretend to be an opera singer. I have learnt so much from the guys – when I look back on it.”
But there is much more to Sébastien as an artist than Il Divo. He says his new album “A chance for people to see all [the] different facets of who I am. People always see us wearing a suit but we are a lot more complex than this.” He describes it furthermore as “a record full of colors, from lightness to heaviness of life. From ups to downs!” and believes these songs have great crossover appeal.
The title track ‘We Came Here to Love’ was written by the Mack Brothers from Australia. The first time he heard it Sébastien says, “It caught me, I wish I had written that song – so I asked if I could have it on my record.” It fit’s his vision of “love and hope” especially now, where people struggle to love and feel loved. In a time where there are bombs and terror and hatred. I wanted to share a moment of love, a moment of hope. We all came here from our mother through love ideally and this is what I wanted to remember with people, that we are all loved when we first come into this world.”
As a multi-talented musician, Sébastien plays piano and guitar and composers original material. “I find inspiration in life, inside and outside of me. I love psychology and therapy work. I find we have so much richness within us, that it’s like a volcano wanting to erupt and share.” He acknowledges that however great covers are, new music material is “extremely important” and says, “I would love Il Divo to cover some of my songs!”
Through his career, Sébastien has sung pop, musical theater and classical crossover but he isn’t done exploring yet. “I would love to work with a band like The Weekend, or some R&B bands, DJ… I love expanding my work. I didn’t think it should be one thing. That’s why I love writing songs because there are no rules to how and why. It’s freedom!”
In addition to his musical ambitions, Sébastien is involved with the charities ANTM (Assistance MedicaleToit Du Monde) and SCF (Sanfilippo Children’s Foundation). He says simply, “I just simply wanted to help others. I get a lot of reward being in Il Divo and I feel it is crucial to give back to others who don’t have our luxury of life and struggle with their day to day.” Sanfilippo is a rare disease that remains relatively unknown. “I wanted to help them to get the word out and create an awareness. I could have never done that without my wife’s incredible help – who contacted every media [outlet] in Australia. It was an incredible experience which has been helpful to all these parents, who have a child with Sanfilippo syndrome.”
Recently, Il Divo provided fans a rare opportunity for engagement and live performances with a cruise experience. The gratitude is oblivious. “The fans are everything in an artist’s career,” Sébastien says. “They make it possible for me to be an artist and I am more than thankful. I always make time for them, always make sure they know how much I care about them and I am grateful for their support. The cruise was the best way to get to know them, instead of five minutes in a meet and greet or from afar in a concert room. We got a chance to really spend time with them. It was incredible.”
The album ‘We came here to love’ is yet another way fans can better get to know the man behind the suits and discover his inspirational message. Of course, there is still new territory he would like explore. “I would love to perform in Red Rocks and for the Super Bowl that would be my dream. Who knows, dreams are important right?”
To keep following visit sebastienizambard.com
