Simone Feroci Turns Pain Into Power with His Instrumental Masterpiece “California Forever”

You don’t need words to tell a powerful story, and Simone Feroci proves it with “California Forever,” a stunning, cinematic bass ballad that speaks directly to the soul.

Born in Parma, Italy, and now based in Long Beach, California, Feroci has built a career as expansive as his sound. From performing at Abbey Road Studios and Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club in London to massive arenas in Italy and U.S. stages like Disneyland, California, and Dignity Health Sports Park, he’s long been known as a world-class bass player. But this time, he’s diving into something even deeper, his own story.

Released on October 3, 2025, “California Forever” is more than a song; it’s a sonic memoir of recovery, rebirth, and resilience. The track chronicles Feroci’s journey from alcoholism, grief, and depression to clarity and self-acceptance. It’s told entirely through music, where the electric bass becomes the voice, weaving through lush orchestral arrangements that blend metallic grit with sweeping cinematic beauty.

“The contrast between the roughness of the bass and the beauty of the strings mirrors my own healing,” Feroci explains. “This song is my way of saying there’s always light on the other side.”

The accompanying 4K music video visually translates that inner struggle into art. Three versions of Simone, each representing a different stage of pain and recovery, move through scenes of turmoil and transcendence, set against breathtaking California landscapes. It’s vulnerable, honest, and cinematic enough to feel like a film score for survival.

Feroci calls “California Forever” a “soundtrack of hope,” and it’s hard to argue with that. Every note feels intentional, a piece of his story captured in melody. For those battling their own darkness, this song isn’t just background music; it’s a lifeline.

“I hope this release will be a soundtrack of hope for anyone who’s been through addiction, depression, grief, or sorrow,” Feroci shares. “Once we get rid of what hurts us, we finally make room to love ourselves and move forward.”

Simone Feroci’s journey from darkness to light shines through every chord, and “California Forever” stands as proof that healing can sound beautiful.

“California Forever” tells your story without a single lyric. How did you approach communicating emotion purely through your instrument?

I wrote the bass riff for California Forever throughout 8 years, first the hook, then the verse, and as I went through an array of different emotions and states of mind, the song evolved with me, and I was only able to finalize it at the beginning of this year, integrating it with an orchestral arrangement. The melody’s dualism, with the bass’s dark, deep tones alternating with bright harmonics, represents this ‘walk of life’ from the dark to the light.

You’ve played legendary venues like Abbey Road and Ronnie Scott’s. How did your journey through addiction and recovery reshape what success means to you now?

For sure, my love of playing music has taken me to the most incredible places, both in Europe and here. That was what I considered success back then: playing big venues and stadiums. I also associated success with releasing music, getting a big response, and lots of streams, and I would get disappointed when its engagement wasn’t what I hoped for.

I had moments of depression and self-doubt, I somewhat gave up at some stage, sold all of my gear, and focused on getting a “normal job” (alcohol can make us emotional, twist our perception of things, and get us to make irrational decisions). Still, ultimately, recovery granted me clarity of mind, and with that came the realization that success lies in creating something good that can be a testament to the artist I am.

The music video shows three versions of yourself. What did each one represent to you personally?

The video starts with a “washed up”, “hopeless” version of myself, then we see a “wild”, “rowdy” version in a bar fight, but they ultimately converge in a “healed” version, walking in the Californian sun. I have been all of those at some point in my life.

The last version is who I am now, but the others are the ones I had to forgive to move on, to heal.

Bass is often seen as a supporting instrument. What inspired you to make it the lead “voice” of such a personal story?

With the bass being my main instrument and me wanting to tell a story, I felt I should put myself out there: the bass is also stripped of any heavy effects, because, as the “voice” of the song, I wanted it to be intimate and “naked”, natural.

Of course, then there are other elements, such as the piano, orchestra, electronic drums, and synth patterns here and there, but I wanted the rest to be the “bleed” of the canvas. The bass —the instrument I've played and worked with for the past 25 years —needed to be the main protagonist.

You call this song a “soundtrack of hope.” What advice would you give to artists, or anyone, trying to find their way out of darkness?

I would tell them that, even in the darkest of moments, when we think we’re done for and there’s nothing we can do to change things, our strength lies dormant within us; it’s just about refraining from doing things that hurt us, so we can acknowledge it.

In my case, there’s no way I could have ever embarked on the enterprise of producing such a high-quality single and music video if I were still indulging in my demons. That’s what I mean by “soundtrack of hope”: the song itself is tangible proof of what we can achieve when we let go of old, self-harming patterns.

We might not be able to see it; it doesn’t mean the light isn't there —it is, trust me.