Sébastien Izambard to Release Solo Album Today

Sébastien Izambard -- one quarter of the massive classical crossover group Il Divo -- will release a new solo album, We Came Here To Love, November 3 (Entertainment One Music). The album's first single, "We Came Here To Love" will be released September 29. Check out the announcement video here.

The album is a natural step forward for the self-taught French singer/guitarist/pianist, who also produced the record. "Being a part of Il Divo has afforded me a great opportunity to tour the world and get exposed to all different kinds of music," says Séb Izambard, a tenor. "This album is far from what anybody would expect from me. I wanted to show a side of me that has nothing to do with Il Divo. I was a pop artist before, and it's something I wanted to do and haven't done in 20 years and now it's the right time in my life for it. I wrote many of the songs and I'm so excited to put it out there for people to hear." The album features 11 original songs written or co-written by Séb and showcases his eclectic influences from The Weeknd and Coldplay to James Blake and Adele, from pop and dance to the classical crossover that he's known for.

The album's first single is a haunting and explosive vocal tour de force, making it a natural introduction to the new record. "I believe that everything happens for a reason and 'We Came Here To Love' came into my life at the perfect time, as anything in God's will. We all deserve to be loved from the moment we open our eyes in to the world (birth), to the moment we return to dust (death). Love is what we all thrive for, we could live with little food but not without love. My children never asked to come in to this world and feel unloved, unseen or uncared for. I want this song to help others find a ray of hope, the same way it did for me when I first heard it on my way to recover from my past life," says Séb of the album's first single.

The Paris native began playing guitar and piano as a child, and his love of music grew from there. "Music became my food, my therapy and my savior," said Séb. He released his debut album in 2000 before joining Il Divo in 2003. That group has gone on to become one of the most popular crossover groups of all time, selling over 30 million records worldwide.

Track list:
1. We Came Here To Love
2. Kingdom Come
3. Up
4. Unchained
5. Goodbye My Lover
6. Ashes
7. Blind Heart
8. Love Again
9. Why
10 Cheer Me Up
11. Easy

About Sébastien Izambard:
Born and raised in a single-parent household in the 16th arrondissement of Paris, Sébastien Izambard taught himself to play guitar, piano and sing. At the age of 5, he begun "composing" songs on his piano. He didn't grow up with much wealth but his childhood taught him the value of friendship and family and he learned to embrace the life of a touring musician, packing his equipment into a van and taking to the road.

A solo artist whose songs had an affinity with Jeff Buckley and Damien Rice, he toured with French legend Johnny Halliday, opening his shows for him and eventually becoming an established star in his homeland: his 2000 solo album, Libre, brought him a number one single, "Si Tu Savais," in France. Séb is a talented writer as well, writing for many different French artists before joining the international musical sensation Il Divo. He has written with Darren Hayes, Ramin Karimloo, Guy Chambers, and Don Black.

Séb was sought out by Carlos Marin (current member of Il Divo) and urged to audition. Séb performed "Caruso" while playing the piano himself, and Simon Cowell heard him and offered him the job that same day. Since then, Il Divo has had success both domestically and across the world, all while pioneering the genre of operatic pop. The multi-national classical crossover vocal group has released 9 albums since 2004 which have sold for a combined 30+ million copies worldwide.

Séb has done his share of solidarity work, which he calls "essential to his life". He is an active member of the Assistance Medicale Toit du Monde (ANTM) which helps poor children in Nepal and India, and has raffled several of his Armani suits for the charity. In November 2014 and in partnership with his wife Renée Izambard, Séb led an ambitious project to raise money for Isla and Jude, brother and sister suffering from the rare and fatal disease Sanfilippo Syndrome. In association with 15 different Australian artists including Dareen Hayes, Empire of the Sun's Luke Steele, and Red Hot Chili Peppers' Flea, and help of Sony Music Australia, he produced Hope for Isla and Jude, a single showcasing Kate Bush classic This Woman's Work, which was released on December 5, 2014. He is also a global ambassador of the Australian Sanfilippo Children's Foundation.

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