A 19-year-old pianist from Échirolles, near Grenoble, France, is rapidly gaining recognition after posting videos of his performances at the Grenoble train station. Aziz Hammedi released his debut EP, “Melancholia,” on February 13th, despite having never received formal musical training.
Hammedi’s journey began unexpectedly at the age of 18 when he purchased a keyboard with a “Pass Culture” voucher, according to Radio France. He began playing at the Grenoble train station, captivating commuters with his self-taught skills. Videos of his performances quickly spread across social media, garnering tens of thousands of views, as reported by France Bleu.
The young musician’s talent has drawn attention from media outlets, and his newfound fame came swiftly. “My life changed in a week,” Hammedi told Radio France, describing how he initially responded to the sudden attention by putting his phone on airplane mode and composing a melody to process his emotions. This sincerity is reflected in “Melancholia,” which details how a 20 euro donation from a family enabled him to purchase a sound card for 40 euros on Le Bon Coin, ultimately helping to finance his first EP.
Hammedi’s performances at the train station are more than just concerts; they’ve become a space for connection. Radio France reported that travelers often stop to share personal stories, grief, and hopes while he plays. He describes his role as “repairing souls” through his music.
The EP, a compilation of seven tracks, is available on multiple platforms. Hammedi, who has been practicing primarily at the Grenoble train station for the past several weeks, continues to share his music online, building a growing following. He has not taken any solfège lessons, remaining entirely self-taught, according to France3 Regions.
Hammedi’s story is described as a “dream come true” by France3 Regions, highlighting his rapid ascent from playing in a train station to releasing a debut album within a year of beginning to play the piano.
