Multi-instrumentalist Victoria Celestine released her vibrant, electro-pop single Carrying On, on April 21st (2017).
Carrying On is a feel-good pop track about life’s obstacles and how we can overcome them. The track combines 80’s synth inspired beats with Celestine’s ethereal vocals evoking memories of summer road trips that have become synonymous with contemporary artists such as Chvrches’ Lauren Mayberry and Ellie Goulding.
In this interview spotlight, we chat with Victoria about influences, the new project, and much more.
Q&A along with links and a stream of Carrying On below.
Let’s dive a little deeper into You, the artist and your music. What attracted you to this genre(s) or style(s)?
Having grown up with a lot of 80’s music, it ended up being a big influence in the music I’m creating now. When I started producing, it was easy to write with the virtual synths they had in GarageBand. It just naturally happened that way for me.
How long have you been creating and sharing your music with the public?
7 years! Since I was 13.
Who or what influences your playing and/or writing? Also, what motivates you to keep going?
Life, experiences and everything else influences the music I create! Music is something I will always love to do. Whether I’m writing for me or recording another band, the energy and love shared with the people I’m creating the music with, or the people listening and connecting with it is what keeps me going.
Were you trying to accomplish anything specific on this new project? Creatively or otherwise?
Working with James Sanger and the genius that he is. Some of the past work that he’s done with other artists has been a great influence for me, and I was ecstatic when he wanted to make a record together. He had a library of vintage synths and we had compatible musical taste, and three months to pull it together.
What was the last song you listened to?
The whole album of Biography of Heartbreak by This Century
Which do you prefer? Vinyl? CDs? MP3s?
They each have their own uses, and I appreciate them all. I am able to have and play all formats. There’s a certain artistic character to the experience of playing a Vinyl that can be enchanting. Being a sound engineer who loves to hear a maximum amount of detail, I don’t lean as much towards the mp3s because of their low digital quality.
How about this one…. Do you prefer Spotify? Apple Music? Bandcamp? Or something else? Why?
At the end of the day, they all serve the purpose of playing and sharing music. My preference would be to buy the physical CD or Vinyl.
Other than the digital era overwhelming us with access to an abundance of music, what are one or two of the biggest challenges you face when trying to attract listeners to your music?
There is a real struggle with everybody having to be “different” in order to attract the audience..It seems as though the focus has been shifted from the music to the “image”, in order to “entertain”. Some of my favorite concerts have been up close and personal acoustic ones. Because that’s when you can really connect with the lyrics and personality of the person singing them on a deep level. Sometimes it feels like the attention span of this and younger generations keeps getting shorter in relation to music. And with that, you can really lose the meaning and quality of it all.
Do you gig, tour or perform? Do you ever live stream? Where can music lovers see you live?
Currently you can find me playing acoustic shows at wineries in the Texas Hill Country.
Where is the best place to connect with you online? Discover more of your music?
All and any of the outlets. My website is victoriacelestine.com
Any last thoughts? Shout outs? Words of wisdom?
Thank you <3
