Long Beach Native, Soul/Jazz Artist "Castella Castella" Talks About New Single "Intoxicated Love!"

Interview By: Gina Sedman

I had the opportunity to interview Castella, a talented psalmist and writer, about her music career, background, and future plans. Here's what she shared with me.

Castella, could you tell me something about your background? Where are you from, and how did you get started in music? I am a singer-songwriter from Long Beach, California. I was born and raised in Long Beach, and my singing journey began in church. My first solo was when I was around 6 or 7 years old, and I have been singing ever since. I have performed as a soloist in choirs and groups. Singing has been a part of my life for a long time! 

Before pursuing music, I worked as a Human Resources Executive at a local government agency. I had a normal life with my husband and three children until I lost my job. I found myself wondering what to do next.

Thankfully, I had just finished my first EP at the time. I was encouraged to pursue music more seriously by my record producer, Darryl Swann. He told me that I would always be able to secure a job in HR, but I may not have another chance to pursue my passion for music. His words motivated me to embark on my professional music journey at that very moment. I am grateful to have a loving and supportive family who stood by me every step of the way.

Can you tell me about how your professional career began? After years of singing at various events, I sang as a backup vocalist for a project led by my friend, Dr. Gabriel Crenshaw. It was during that session that I met Darryl Swann, an American Record Producer. Meeting Darryl was a turning point in my life.

He recognized the potential in my voice and asked if I had ever thought about recording an EP. I was surprised by his suggestion, but he believed that I could create something extraordinary. After speaking with him, I realized I could write lyrics and melodies. That was the start of my songwriting career. I later found a fantastic producer to help bring my songs to life and completed recording them. Darryl then asked me what I wanted to do with my project. I had three options: keep it to myself, share it with my family, or release it to the world. I chose to release it to the world! The journey has been incredible, and I wouldn't change anything!

 What is your favorite genre of music to sing? Also, what genre of music would you like to explore that you don't typically sing? Personally, I enjoy singing Smooth Jazz, Soul, and R&B. I have some experience singing Blues and a lot of Gospel music. Although it's not my usual genre, it would be fun to try singing a Country tune!

To "make it" in this business, you must possess attributes such as patience, perseverance, confidence, and self-belief. It is also crucial to educate yourself and establish relationships with people in the industry. Being a decent person can go a long way in building a good reputation. However, the most important thing is the quality of the music you produce. Providing top-notch music that appeals to the listener is crucial.

 Who are some of the people you have worked with throughout your career? I have had the pleasure of working with distinguished individuals such as Grammy Award-winning producer Darryl Swann, #1 Billboard charting artist Willie Bradley, #1 Billboard charting producer Jeff Canady, Top 5 Billboard charting artist Marqueal Jordan, Top 5 Billboard charting artist/producer David P. Stevens, producer Lew Laing, saxophonist R.L. Walker, and producer/artist "Sonix."

What, in your opinion, are the advantages and disadvantages of being an independent artist? The best part of being independent is having the freedom to make all the decisions regarding my career. In addition, I have the opportunity to run my own business and create my record label, which is truly fulfilling. I have learned much and am now producing my own live shows with special guests. However, being independent can lead to financial difficulties.

Have you ever released a song that you believed would become a massive hit, but it didn't perform as well as you had expected? Could you share with me an experience you had like that? I have been fortunate enough to receive overwhelming support for my music, and I can't say that any of my releases have underperformed. However, if I had to pick one song that didn't do as well as I had anticipated, it would be "Intoxicated Love." I thought the song would top the charts globally, but it only reached #4 in the UK and Canada.

Nevertheless, it eventually reached #1 in Italy, which was a pleasant surprise. Interestingly, the song performed better in the Smooth Jazz genre, even though I had anticipated it to be rejected by Smooth Jazz radio. Overall, I feel truly blessed with the success of every record that I have released.

Are you a full-time musician, or do you have a daytime job? Well, music is my full-time job, as I'm always promoting my music, creating new content, networking, and thinking of ways to improve my brand and broaden my reach. However, to support myself and pay the bills, I also work as an Executive Recruiter and Interim Human Resources Manager/Director. In 2024, I'm planning to be a college professor as well.

How important is it that your friends and family support your music by purchasing and downloading your single? How crucial is their support for the success of your career? It is such a good feeling to have the support of family and friends. And I can say that my family has been all in! My kids make up my Castella Music Team – My Daughter Cailyn is my manager and photographer, my son Aaron is my Graphic Designer, and my son Tristan is my videographer. My mother keeps me on rotation on YouTube and in her car, my husband is an incredible promoter, and my big brother never misses a show! My friends and family are my foundation, my base, and I need them so very much! They are crucially important, and I am grateful for every one of them! 

Do you believe social media likes and dislikes accurately reflect an artist's talent, worth, or ability? While social media has a place in promoting artists, it needs to be an accurate assessment of their value or skill. Many talented artists have a poor social media presence, and measuring one's worth based on likes is not a good idea. For instance, one of my most "liked" posts had nothing to do with my music and was about my pet tortoise.

When it comes to my vocal style, most people say that I have a unique and recognizable sound. They describe my voice as angelic, and I have a unique ability to annunciate with clarity and precision. Additionally, my phrasing and tone are distinct, and I have learned to control the power in my voice over the years. My mom even says my voice can make people stop and listen.

If someone were to ask you about your music, how would you describe it to them? My music is a cool blend of Smooth Jazz, R&B, and Soul with gospel inspiration. It's a mixture of all the things that make you feel good about a song.

Do you write and produce your music? Yes, I do write my music, lyrics, and melodies. However, I do need help with production. I couldn't do it without my outstanding producers. I have also had the opportunity to write tracks that my producers created. It's an absolute joy to see a project from start to finish.

What changes would you like to see in the music industry? I am still in the learning phase of the business right now. The music industry has changed a lot, and now, people like me have an opportunity to be seen and heard. I'm enjoying it! Let's come back to this question in a few years!

 What is the possible solution to illegal downloading? There is no solution to illegal downloading as it has become a common way of listening to music on platforms like Spotify, Apple, or YouTube. It would be great to get more revenue from streaming services, as it takes many streams to make a small amount of money. Hence, we must find new ways to earn income in the music industry.

 What are your thoughts on vinyl records? Do you think they will regain their popularity as before? Vinyl records are groovy and a true novelty. These days, there is more interest in vinyl records. However, it is unlikely that vinyl records will become as popular as they were before because, back in the day, they were the only option available. I hope to release some of my songs on vinyl soon.

 What do you like and dislike about the current music industry? There are no barriers to entry in the contemporary music industry because anyone can make a record. However, some veterans in the industry dislike this aspect as they miss the days of "doorkeepers." But I appreciate that no one is held back from creating what is in their heart.

When you are about to release a new song, how do you mentally prepare yourself for the public's opinion, whether positive or negative? In all honesty, I know that there will be people who will either love or hate my music. This is just human nature. To cope with this, I usually arm myself with confidence by reminding myself that I like the record enough to share it with the world. I can't be overly concerned with the negative comments.

Have you ever felt so discouraged in the music industry that you wanted to give up? It's a daily battle to keep yourself motivated. Sometimes, I see my peers doing better than me, which can be discouraging. But when I get positive feedback or a phone call, it fuels me to keep going. The fact that I am inspiring people and touching their hearts keeps me going when I am feeling low. I also pray and ask God to show me signs and let me know if this is where He wants me to be. And then, He shows me something, and I pick up my head and keep moving forward.

 How many singles and albums do you currently have out, and which one is your favorite? I have released 2 EPs, two singles, 2 Christmas Singles, and collaborated with two other artists on two songs. Although I love all my songs, my favorite is "Sleigh Ride," one of my Christmas singles.

Can you tell me about your latest album or song, what inspired it, and where can people buy it? My latest single is called "Intoxicated Love". My producer, Darryl Swann, encouraged me to add an up-tempo, Patrice Rushen vibe to my discography. I contacted my other producer, Jeff Canady, who sent me a track called "Intoxicated." I listened to the track and came up with a fun love story that started on the dance floor. It's out now, and you can buy it on various music platforms.

How would you describe being an independent artist to your fans? What is the most important thing you would tell them? I want my fans to know their support and love mean everything. As an independent artist, it can be hard to make it in the music industry without fans' support. Every stream, interaction, and purchase means a lot to me. So, thank you for being there.

What advice would you give to new artists starting in the changing industry? I suggest knowing who you are, staying focused on your vision and goals, and not letting anyone discourage you. Pray, meditate, and find peace. Make sure you produce quality music because once it's out, it's out, and it will represent you forever.

All photos of Castella Castella are courtesy of  Castella Castella     https://www.castellamusic.com/

END OF INTERVIEW