INTERVIEWS PRINT

Interview: Celeste drops debut EP, has us wanting ‘More Please’

Jon Berrien
Latest posts by Jon Berrien (see all)

Celeste is a singer, songwriter, and producer based in Brooklyn via Birmingham, AL, and she just dropped her debut EP ‘More Please.’ Featuring a chill, electronic R&B sound ‘More Please’ is sonically soulful and the four featured tracks definitely leave the earbuds wanting more

GroundSounds recently caught up with Celeste to talk about her debut EP, inspirations and more, check out our exclusive interview below.

‘More Please’ is available NOW!

 

For those just discovering Celeste, can you tell us about your upbringing and how you got started with music?

I grew up in Alabama to a musical family.  My great grandmothers both taught piano, my aunt is a singer/actress, uncle guitarist, and most family gatherings end in some kind of jam session (typically with my aunt free-styling dirty lyrics).  My mom played a lot of Grateful Dead, Beatles, and Aretha Franklin when I was a kid, and subconsciously, I think this developed the bluesy-soul foundation in my writing.  Around age 10, I got really into mid 90s hip hop and R&B.  I bought the non-Parental Advisory version of The Fugees The Score, listened to MTV Party To Go Volume 8 on repeat, and had my mind blown by Outkast’s “Elevators.”  The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill came out later and is still my all-time favorite.  I was really connected to music, went to a ton of concerts in high school and college, dated a musicians, but had no plans to make it myself.  One day after college, I sat down at my mom’s piano and a song just fell out of my mouth and fingers.  I had known basic piano and guitar chords but totally discovered I was a songwriter and singer.  It was pretty amazing.  I felt like I’d found an outlet for all this energy that was backed up inside me.

Can you tell us about working on your upcoming More Please EP? What were the most rewarding and challenging parts in bringing it all together?

I recorded these songs with my friend Louis at his studio in a converted brewery a block from my apartment in Brooklyn.  Making the record with just the two of us gave me so much more control over arrangement and part performances than I’d had when making recordings with a live band with acoustic instruments. It was empowering to perform more of the instrumentation in my music and be directive about the vibe of the instrumentals.  Some of the big challenges we faced were in making sub sounds that could actually be heard in computer speakers and ear buds.  Our mastering engineer, Julian Silva of On Air Mastering, directed us to take some cues from the 90s band Scorn. We pulled from their techniques are now total geeks for their music and sub-bass skills.

We definitely love the vibes of “More Lives,” can you tell us about the creative and writing process for this track?

I actually played the beat for that track by hand on a drum app in my iPhone, recorded the audio direct into my laptop’s internal mic, and looped it as a rhythmic foundation to write over.  My favorite vibe is slower, big syncopated beats- and I used the pocket to write my own everything-is-everything anthem following a period of major life changes.  When I write, I often sing what I need – and at that time, I needed to know that change was fine – and death of one vision just makes room for birth of another.

Your music has a very eclectic feel what is it about soulful electronic R&B that attracts you to this sound?

Soul, R&B, and hip hop were the genres that really contributed to my musical awakening as a kid.  I feel like the music people most connect with when they’re about 12 has the biggest influence on their musical tastes and what they consider classic.   I wanted to be more intentional in this record about pulling form those 12-year old roots and founding my songs in a groove.  I’m never too concerned about writing within a genre though

What music are you currently listening to and finding inspiration from?

I listen to these two African records, Baka Beyond’s “Spirit of the Forest”, and Grand Kallé et l’African Jazz’s “Merveilles Du Passe” probably 5 times a week.  A lot of Drake while I’m at my day-job.  This past week I’ve been relistening to Fiona Apple’s Idler Wheel – she’s a big influence of mine.  As I type, I’m listening to Boys II Men Motown Philly.  In terms of current stuff, the song writing and drippy vibe of Lana Del Rey’s recent record is pretty amazing.

When performing on stage what typically goes through your mind?

Not much.  Performing is transporting.  When I perform the songs, I feel them more than ever – so I’m really just up there sharing my guts…

What was it like working with producer Louis Sherman?

So great.  He’s my best friend and total genius.  He has such incredible taste and talent in analogue synth arrangement and pulls from the world of electronic and experimental music that I’m less connected to.  He also challenges me as a writer.  For the song Classic, I kept writing verses that had a hook or layer feel, and he’s be like – come on, Celeste, write a song.  He’s truly my partner and sounding board… he laughs and says, I’m in a band, it’s called Celeste.  I’m going to make him that t-shirt.

Can you tell us about the inspiration for your track “Classic?”

I wrote this one listening to trap beats.  I had made this inspiration playlist on Spotify called “UGH” which had UGK and Triple 6 Mafia type stuff.  The hook just came to me and I developed the song around the idea of feeling your pocket and wanting to break it down.  It’s the EP’s feel-good sing along.

After the release of More Please, what’s next for Celeste?

I’ve got music lined up for a second EP.  I want to explore using African drums… incorporate more dance into live performance and music videos.

soundcloud.com/Celeste
www.fromCeleste.com