INTERVIEW: Colbie Caillat
- Posted on December 4, 2007 10:16 AM
- 0 comments
Interview By Zarina Raja
With Christmas beckoning its icy finger, we need to get into the spirit of things. I don’t mean shopping like a maniac with all those other frantic shoppers; I mean staying in by a roaring fire and stuffing your face with Marks and Spencer biscuits while listening to some wintry tunes. Colbie Caillat is guaranteed to heighten that desired Christmas ambience. Her new single, Mistletoe, is smothered in warm melodies and an alluring X-Mas vibe without any tacky jingles.
Like Lily Allen and Kate Nash, Colbie Caillat kicked off her career through her MySpace. Her single Bubbly, drew in the masses and has continued to attract thousands of fans. When we chatted to Colbie, she gave us her thoughts on MySpace and her favourite British bands. She also let us dive into the theory behind the creation process of her brilliant album Coco. Watch out for this one, there is a new MySpace Princess on the horizon.
Let's start with an introduction for those who may not have heard your music yet. What should fans expect from one of your live shows?
My album is very diverse; there are some reggae songs, some ballads, some folk songs. Fans should just expect a fun show; there will be a couple of covers too.
What covers will you be doing?
I’m going to do Turn Your Lights Down Low by Bob Marley and Here Comes The Sun by The Beatles.
What were your reasons for choosing those songs?
I love both of those artists. Those were the songs that I felt most comfortable with and could relate to.
Have you played in London before?
Only for Universal Showcases.
Have you had the chance to catch any other British bands while you have been here?
Yes! I have seen Amy Winehouse twice and I love her. She is good. When I was here last time I saw her so I saw her again this time a couple of nights ago.
Are there any other British bands that have swept you away?
I love James Morrison, Natasha Bedingfield, Coldplay and James Blunt.
You are quite a fan of English music then!
Oh yes.
Let’s talk about your Christmas single, Mistletoe. Tell me a bit about the song.
I wrote that song last Christmas with my friend. She came to me with the song idea; it was about her husband and how he would miss a lot of the family Christmas’ as she was working a lot. It’s about wanting some one to be there with you, opening present. Christmas isn’t Christmas without family.
Let’s talk about your Christmas single, Mistletoe, which came out on Novemeber 20th. Tell me a bit about the song.
I wrote that song last Christmas with my friend. She came to me with the song idea; it was about her husband and how he would miss a lot of the family Christmas’ as she was working a lot. It’s about wanting some one to be there with you, opening present. Christmas isn’t Christmas without family.
Where will you be spending Christmas this year?
I will be going back home to be with my family like we do every year. We go to my Grandparents house in the snow and light a big fire. We have a big family dinner and listen to old Nat King Cole songs.
That’s how Christmas should be – and you get snow! If you could ask for anything this Christmas, what would you ask for?
I would ask for a portable studio just because it is so difficult to write songs on the road.
Very practical! Let’s talk about your record Bubbly, which was a huge hit on MySpace. Are you glad that you launched your career through MySpace? Are there any set backs?
I really think that it is the way to go for giving artists an image. For me, I grew my own fan base. The great part about that was that they told me what songs they wanted on the album and what was good. With them listening everyday, they got me to know what the first single would be. I had the ability to pretty much have control over my situation because they knew that I already had my own fan base.
It’s a great way to test the waters isn’t it? Now, talk to me a bit about your new album Coco.
I started writing the songs two years ago. Over the two years, we kept writing songs and every time we recorded a new one, we would record it in a studio and put it on to MySpace. I never made a CD because we kept on adding songs. By the time we recorded the album; we already had all the song ideas and just needed to add the instruments. The songs stayed as they were because the MySpace fans had liked them like that.
How do you go about writing a song? Do you get random ideas that you are constantly scribbling down or do you set time aside to write?
Usually what happens with me is I will have something on my mind so I stay home by myself and I start playing my guitar and humming the melody on top of that. If I like the melody, I will record it on my camera. I then start memorizing and adding lyrics to it.
Where do you draw your song-writing inspiration from?
It comes from whatever is going on in my life. Capri, I wrote about my friend having a baby and Tailor Made was written about my sister falling in love.
In terms of production for your next album, is there anything that you would like to do differently to Coco?
Yeah, I have already started working on the next one a little bit; we are going to start recording in January. I think we are going to do something a bit different; I have been experiencing things that I was not experiencing when I wrote Coco. I think the album will be more mature.
Your dad co-produced Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours. Do you think it was your father’s presence in the music industry that influenced you to choose music as a career path?
Well, what started my love for music was when I heard Lauryn Hill sing; that inspired me to become a singer. I performed Killing Me Softly at my sixth grade talent show; I then told my parents that I wanted to be a singer when I grew up. They said that if I was serious, then I would have to be serious, learn how to play an instrument and write songs. You have to build your own career instead of somebody else helping you.
Was your dad happy that you had chosen to get into the music biz?
He was. He knew that I could sing and that I had a talent for that but he also knew how hard the business is. He knew I was a shy person so he wasn’t really sure how that would turn out. You need to have the right personality for this business. He also wanted me to be a doctor or a lawyer and go to school.
Have you overcome your shyness?
Yeah, it is better for me now. I have gotten so used to it; I play every night. I still do get very nervous in certain situations like TV performances.
Is there an album that you wish you had co-produced?
Yes, John Mayer, Continuum. Every song is great from number one to number twelve; it is a great bunch of different styles.
What are your plans for 2008?
I am finishing the tour this winter and then I have January off. We are doing promo in a bunch of different countries like Japan, France, Malasia and Taiwan.
What is the one thing in your career that you want to achieve?
I think when I go out on stage and kill an amazing performance, give my all and to not look back or be shy. Right now, I am still very standoffish and hold back.
If you could open a show for a musician – dead or alive – who would it be?
Oh, Lauryn Hill or Bob Marley.
Lastly, what is the most memorable concert that you have been to as a fan?
That would have to be…I saw Fleetwood Mac once or Joni Mitchell and…Coldplay.
Mistletoe is out to buy now!
For more info on Colbie, take a look at her MySpace.
For Colbie Caillat tickets and other gig tickets go to Seatwave's listings.
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