HOWELL – Howell Township is not typically seen as a hotbed for the performing arts, but that doesn’t mean that their aren’t local artists with a significant connection to the town. For example, there is one Howell resident who is trying to make his way into the local indie/pop music stream.
Michael Cappetto, who was born in Long Branch but moved to Howell before he attended high school there, has had a connection with music from a young age, but he really developed a passion for it when he realized that music is not just artistic expression, but a form of healing as well.
The main topic of one of the singles he released recently reflects the belief that music is healing. “Nowhere To Go” is about the emotions and the grief that Cappetto dealt with when his grandfather passed away, and how he has moved forward with those emotions.
“When I lost him, I felt that I had nowhere else to go and I felt like I was lost. I had no one to go to, to help me and to guide me. This one is probably the deepest thinking out of all the songs I have written so far.”
However, loss and grief are not the only topics that he talks about through his music. Three of his songs are about love, and his struggles with relationships as a young man. The first song he ever wrote “Fool” talks about getting led on in a relationship that ultimately ends up going nowhere, and how he got fooled into thinking something meaningful was developing.
“Beautiful As You” is meant for those who are in relationships and know what it is like to be with that person. It is meant to show how someone can look through their lover’s eyes.
“You’re Just Not The One” and “Where Are You My Love” have a story that goes hand in hand with one another. They are about the search for one’s soulmate and the journey that goes into finding the one you are meant to be with.
These four songs were released as singles, but looking back, Cappetto believes that these four could’ve been worked into an EP with one another as they largely tell the story of what has happened in his love life and the emotions that have gone along with that.
Cappetto started his foray into music at seven years old when he was gifted a piano. However, it wasn’t until he picked up a guitar at age 13 did he truly fall in love with the craft. Since then, he has studied under R&B singer Brenda K Starr, Broadway’s Deb Lyons and opera soprano Cynthia Balme trying to perfect his craft.
Cappetto is a frequent performer in the Jersey Shore area. One of his favorite places to perform so far in his young career is the Beach Haus Brewery in Belmar, where he has become a regular performer. Cappetto’s music is also available on major streaming platforms like Spotify and Youtube. Find out more at MichaelCappetto.com.
