05/29/2026 • Reading Time: 3min
JOE STEVEN RELEASES "BY THE SEA" FEATURING ACCLAIMED CELLIST MARIKO MURANAKA
The follow-up to "Dancing in the Rain," continuing the composer's live piano-and-cello collaboration with acclaimed cellist Mariko Muranaka.
By Sunset Records
© 2026 Joe Steven. All Rights Reserved.
Los Angeles, CA — May 2026 — Award-winning composer and recording artist Joe Steven announces the release of "By the Sea," the follow-up to his debut composer-led music video, "Dancing in the Rain." The new release continues Joe Steven's acclaimed collaboration with cellist Mariko Muranaka, deepening the intimate piano-and-cello partnership that defined their first project together.
Building on the composer-led format he introduced with "Dancing in the Rain," "By the Sea" once again places live instrumental performance at center stage. The composition moves like water — patient, rolling, and calm — as Joe Steven's piano and Muranaka's cello trade phrases in a quiet, cinematic dialogue. Where the collaboration's first release captured the feeling of rain, "By the Sea" carries listeners toward open water and stillness.
The video reflects Joe Steven's continued evolution as a composer, favoring pure performance and mood over narrative storytelling. It is the second entry in an ongoing body of live piano-and-cello work created under Sunset Studios, reinforcing his commitment to producing world-class music from the Rio Grande Valley of Texas.
"Getting to create again with Mariko was pure joy. She's a rare talent — she plays with such feeling that the cello almost becomes a second voice for the music. 'By the Sea' is a piece I've carried with me for a long time, and hearing it finally come to life alongside her was everything I hoped it would be. This collaboration keeps pushing me to write more honestly and play more freely," said Joe Steven.
Following the release of "Dancing in the Rain," the pairing of Joe Steven and Mariko Muranaka has quickly become a signature of his instrumental catalog — melodic, peaceful, and cinematic in scope.
"Joe's music tells powerful stories and paints beautiful, peaceful views in your mind with every note," said cellist Mariko Muranaka.
"By the Sea" is now streaming worldwide** on all major platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube Music, with music reaching audiences in more than 60 countries.
Watch the Official Music Video:
Joe Steven ft. Mariko Muranaka | By the Sea (Official Music Video)
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About Joe Steven
Joe Steven is an American singer-songwriter, musician, and composer known for his cinematic storytelling and emotionally driven music. His work spans film, television, and global music platforms, reaching audiences in more than 60 countries. Produced under Sunset Studios, his releases blend classical composition with modern cinematic production.
