INTERVIEW: Saeed Habibzadeh shares new album

Saeed Habibzadeh‘s new album, Lost Men, is a musical masterpiece that takes the listener on a journey through a world of love, loss and danger. The album is intended for a mafia film that revolves around an intense love story, and the music reflects themes such as hopeless infatuation, contract killing, assassination and power struggles. But beyond the cinematic narrative, the album is a tribute to all the men and women who have lost their dreams, love and life to hate, violence and war every day.

The album is a blend of classical and contemporary music, showcasing Saeed Habibzadeh’s versatility as a composer and music producer. The instrumental pieces are a testament to his classical training, with their timeless sound and captivating melodies.

The two vocal-focused songs “Wait for me at home” and “Nightfall” are emotional pop songs that tug at the heartstrings, sung and co-written by Susann Offenmüller. Her voice is hauntingly beautiful and conveys the pain and longing of the bereaved women who can only visit their husbands in the cemetery.

Saeed Habibzadeh’s music has a way of touching the listener directly in their heart and taking them into a world beyond the sound. His music is genuine and emotional, and he combines tradition with innovation by exploring all kinds of genres and he never misses sending a very special message to the listener with each of his works regarding true feelings, values and ideals of life.

The album Lost Men is a superb showcase of Saeed Habibzadeh’s skill as a composer and music producer. It’s a masterpiece that combines classical and modern music in a way that’s both timeless and fresh. The instrumental pieces are beautifully orchestrated, and the two pop love songs add a layer of emotional depth to the album.

We caught up with Saeed to find out more about his musical journey so far, his new album Lost Men and what he’s got lined up for the future. Check out our interview with Saeed Habibzadeh below.

Hey Saeed, how’s things?

I’m doing well. I have a lot to do, writing my books, organising my lectures and composing a lot of music that will be released over time.

How did you first get into making your own music?

For as long as I can remember, music has always been a part of my life. I composed my first composition when I was 22 years old. I had a little keyboard that sounded terrible. But I didn’t have anything else. I’ve always felt the need to share my inner world with others. Music is the best way to do this.

Which artist first made a lasting impression on you?

The first composer who made a deep impression on me was Beethoven with his 5th and 6th symphony. I was 10 years old back then. When I was 11, I experienced Shostakovich’s 5th symphony live. When you get to know such giants at such a young age, you probably become a musician. As far as modern music is concerned, Pink Floyd and Supertramp, especially Rick Davies impressed and influenced me. Regarding film music, it was such great composers as Dimitri Tiomkin, Alfred Newman and John Barry.

Which artists do you draw most inspiration from today?

Thomas Newman, Danny Elfman, James Horner and Howard Shore.

How else do you find inspiration for your music?

Something is always happening inside me. Sometimes it’s images, stories, colours, memories or even feelings. Most of it becomes music. I sit down at the computer and let the music come. When it comes to composition, instrumentation, orchestration and implementation, I decide nothing, the music decides everything.

What would you say is the perfect setting for listeners to enjoy your sound?

I think the environment doesn’t play the main role. What is important is whether the listener can open up to the music. Some do it best in bed, others on the bus or in nature. Inner peace and devotion to music are important.

How has your sound evolved since you started out?

I have no control over my music, it comes to me and I shape it so that it becomes audible. I make sure that the music inside me and the music outside of me that I create are as identical as possible. It is exactly the same with the style or sound of my music. I even believe that every composition of mine demands and gets a different sound.

As a producer, who’s your favourite artist you’ve worked with?

Since my first composition, I have worked with the greatest people and artists I have ever experienced. They are Maxima Manni, Malizia Manni and Susann Offenmüller. We love and live music together every day.

How does is differ writing music for film as opposed to other music?

I have different inspirations that become music. In the case of film music, it is mainly images and feelings. I’ve always loved films, and that hasn’t changed to this day. We have a big movie theatre and sound system in our villa. That inspires me a lot to write film music. I have a very good sense of hearing and feeling when it comes to music for films, so I am often unhappy about the music not matching the scenes and storyline at all. At some point I thought to myself, now I’ll start composing film music. That’s better than being unhappy about others.

How did you find making your new album ‘Lost Men’?

Who inspired me was Daniel Craig from the James Bond series. For as long as I can remember, I’ve hated James Bond. I didn’t like the actors either. But Daniel Craig touched and affected me so much that I suffered a lot from why love rarely has a chance in our world. Why people, especially men, go into battle against other men and are killed, even though they want to be with their wives. Especially the last part, No Time to Die, made me want to produce a film music album about love and bliss versus violence and lust for power. That’s why I wanted my next project to become a film music album about this topic. Lost Men was my first experience of composing film music. The next album is a James Bond film music album which I dedicate from the bottom of my heart to the great Daniel Craig. It will be released in the summer or fall of 2023.

What message did you want to get across with this release?

For me, music without content is like a beautifully wrapped Christmas present without content. Let’s imagine we open the box and there’s nothing inside. That’s why the content is very important to me. But I pay a lot of attention to the implementation, i.e., the packaging, too. The content of Lost Men is the message of love. We have hated, killed and made life impossible for each other for thousands of years. Now a new time, a new age is dawning. The new time demands of us to go new ways, ways of the heart, peace and love. It’s time that we make a beautiful world. We’ve had enough experience with ugly worlds.

What artist have you finished listening to most recently?

At the moment I often listen to my first compositions like Spartacus Symphony or Bach’s last journey, but also Lost Men.

What’s the main thing you want people to get out of listening to your music?

I want my music to remind people of their true humanity and divinity, to make them aware that we have great and beautiful desires that we need to fulfil. I want people to be reminded of their own feelings and to realise how cruel violence, hatred and destruction are.

What’s finished your favourite live show so far?

I haven’t been so lucky with concerts and live shows. The only time I ever went to a concert was in the 90s. Unfortunately, Pink Floyd came to Frankfurt without Roger Waters at the time. The show was gigantic and impresses me to this day.

Who would be 3 artists to headline your dream festival? And where would it be?

It would be with Susann Offenmüller, Maxima Manni and Malizia Manni in my favourite city London.

Do you have any advice for a new artist wanting to follow your footsteps?

I believe that no one should follow anybody but only his own heart and dreams. The most important thing is to stay true to yourself and not sell yourself for money, fame and recognition.

Finally, what do you have lined up for the rest of 2023?

I have 3 books on my mind that I want to publish in 2023. In addition, there are many compositions like love songs, double albums, other classical works such as my first piano concerto and film music that I want to release. Especially close to my heart is the album for James Bond. The first compositions are in the pre-production phase. I have composed a beautiful and new theme for James Bond. I think it’s time James Bond gets a new theme instead of repeating the 60’s theme over and over again.

Listen to Lost Men below