Today we’re interviewing Jason Vitelli, on his single “EXIT LOVE STORY” off his upcoming album, “1. AMBIENT CORRIDORS.” This jazz trio piece marks a distinct departure from Jason’s previous works, showcasing his virtuosity at the piano and his remarkable talent for crafting emotive melodies. You can read our interview with Jason below!

Congrats on your latest single, “EXIT LOVE STORY” ! It’s much different than your previous work, more of a jazz feel, whereas songs like “The Veil” are much more electronic. What inspired this shift in direction?

Thank you for the congratulations! Sharing my music with the world is always a thrill. I wouldn’t consider this new single a change of direction but perhaps you can call it a change of context. Both tunes were written for video projects that required music cues to be arranged in a specific style. In this sense, I had to develop the skill to seamlessly move from one genre to another in order to fit a director’s vision. My sample libraries have been a great help to me in this regard.

What was it like to step outside of your comfort zone like that and what advice would you give to others thinking of experimenting with their own work?

To be honest, I always found myself in a position outside my comfort zone. It does go with the territory when expanding one’s musical vocabulary. The advice I would give to someone starting down this road is to have faith in the process and even more importantly, have fun! The experience should be as exhilarating as it is challenging.

Tell me about your upcoming album “1. AMBIENT CORRIDORS” which is dropping January 23rd. Can we expect to see more of both sounds?

“EXIT LOVE STORY” is more of an outlier in terms of its acoustic tone. Most of these tracks contain a combination of real and synthetic elements. Although I consider them all ambient in nature, the arrangements run the gamut from chamber orchestras to avant garde sound design. I can compare the album to an English Garden, although I’ve never been to England. 😊🌿

Going back to “EXIT LOVE STORY”, the song feels very cinematic. It was originally composed as being meant for film, is that correct?

Yes, you are right. That track was written for the ending credits of an eponymous student film. Kevin McCormack, a talented filmmaker who was attending Columbia University at the time, had written and directed this short film. It is about an agoraphobic writer who is brought outside his comfort zone and forced to face his demons. Funny how we were just talking about that exact subject!

The cover art for “EXIT LOVE STORY” with the pink China Rose is striking. What significance does this hold about the track and your upcoming album as a whole?

When considering an appropriate cover, I look into my own photo collection as well as through stock libraries for inspiration. I found myself drawn to this flower, which I took on a film SLR camera about 18 years ago. A beautiful bloom is a meaningful metaphor for the stages of life. We all grow, mature, wither and pass away. Life is a finite stream where one needs to appreciate the moments before they are swallowed up. With this idea in mind, I created an album playlist to conjure up a world of its own. My hope is to have listeners experience their own moments within it.

“EXIT LOVE STORY” captures the essence of New York City. How does your environment influence your music and creativity?

New York City, being one of the birthplaces of modern jazz, has a fervent energy. The artists who first arrive here are hungry, the competition amongst them is fierce, and the result is a panoply of creative activity. To not mince words, my fear of losing relevance provides more and more opportunities to learn about myself each day. Similar to being a shark, an artist can either sink or swim in order for their vision to survive. All of which I’ve written here reflects upon this awareness.

This is a truly beautiful track and again, so impressive after hearing some of your other work in how different they are and yet, how each is still incredibly harmonious. What do you hope listeners take from this track?

I appreciate the compliment and hope listeners will feel positive energy and inspiration through the experience. Similar to a fingerprint, each of us has a distinct way of appreciating art and at its best, it will bring us back to ourselves. Apologies for waxing philosophical, but I do see art as being a transformative and magical thing.

With “1. AMBIENT CORRIDORS” just about a month from release, what themes can fans expect to hear throughout the album?

The themes go as far as the track titles. Beyond that initial impression, I leave the interpretation up to the listener. The abstract nature of instrumental music is something I find so fascinating. Perhaps my fans will share the fascination with me as they go down these “ambient corridors”.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

No, that’s it for me! Thank you again for the opportunity to share my music with you all. Giving these interviews is always an enjoyable experience and I dig your thoughtful questions.

Follow Jason Vitelli here.