After briefly explaining the “Bakersfield Sound” to me and telling me about a dream where Kacey Musgraves brought her on tour; I spoke with rising Country singer Céleigh Chapman about her excellent new EP, her writing process, how she got her start and more.
Rarely do I hear an album where the opening of the first track is my favorite part. That’s the exact reaction I had when I pressed play on Céleigh Chapman’s new EP, Happy Now. The 12 seconds of acapella vocals on, “No Words,” is one of the best ways to start an album I’ve heard in a long time. Right off the bat you’re hit with Chapman’s stellar vocals that lead up to a country groove full of harmonies, twangy electric guitar, and a constant snare hit that keeps everything together. This track is Chapman’s strongest of the EP, you hear the wide vocal range she is capable of not only on her own, but as part of a harmony group as well.
Continuing in the fun Bakersfield Sound style of the album, “Man Down,” is another gem from an EP that only has gems. The acoustic guitar filled track is about taking charge, “Cuz I call the shots, I make the moves now.” That action is perfectly displayed in the catchiest chorus of the EP.
In the fourth track from the album, “Iowasposta,” we hear a completely different sounding Chapman from anything we’ve heard on Happy Now. This is the most serious track of the album, full of slide guitar and lyrics that cut deep. Definitely the realest and rawest track on the EP with the most powerful bridge section of the record.
Céleigh Chapman’s EP Happy Now is available on iTunes now. Be on the lookout for her upcoming shows at Hotel Cafe May 29th and the Make Music Pasadena Festival June 4th. Happy Now is a great example of the Bakersfield Sound and a perfect album to blast during the Summer months. Keep an eye on Céleigh Chapman, if this record is any indication of where she’s heading, we’ll be seeing a lot more her soon.
For starters, what’s your background?
I Started singing when I was in third grade and sang for my school play, I fell in love with singing and performing live. That might have been the first time I realized that I could really do it. I started performing at bars and night clubs around age 10 just singing with the bands. I also had a showcase in Nashville when I was 16. I went to music school at USC and studied music industry and jazz voice which brought me to LA. After focusing more on school I continued to write and sing.
Was country the first genre you jumped into or were there others you attempted?
The first CD I bought was Mariah Carey’s Music Box and a Celine Dion tape. I mostly listened to pop artists and I would sing along to every note. They’re two artists with amazing voices. When I went into my third grade play I sang “Home Home On the Range” which is the most country song you could think of! I had never really been around country music before. People came up to my mom and said things like “she has the country twang and sort of sounds like Dolly Parton!” My mom figured she should nurture me and see if I like this. After a while people started to notice I was leaning that way.
In your opinion, how is the country scene in LA?
Its a small community and its hard to find your people. I think thats why I was in bands before solo stuff. Maybe there are a lot of people doing it, I just don’t hear about them all the time. It’s nice to be in a band because there are other people who are into it. I’d say maybe 5 years ago there were less people making this type of music, but thanks to Mumford and Sons, Kacey Musgraves, The Avett Brothers, they’ve brought more country-folk to the main stage. Its definitely growing but its been a bit of a slow build.
This isn’t your first solo record, you had one about ten years ago, right?
It was just a solo demo back then. A demo from when I was about 16 and showcased for Sony Nashville. Since I was in high school it never really materialized. Once that happened I wanted to just go to high school and be a regular high schooler. After that I went to college and found some people to play music with.
After being in a band (COYOL) how does the solo writing process differ?
In a group its such a collaboration and some people come up with a verse and you’re adding vocals. I had a co writer (Producer, Kris) on the album. When you’re by yourself theres no one to be like this is a great chorus or that really works. You ned to love love love it to get past your own insecurities.
What’s your favorite song from the Happy Now EP?
“Man Down” I got to hear a lot of peoples reactions to it, probably because its been around the longest. I feel very validated by peoples reactions. They’ve told me what they like and what they don’t like. It makes me feel like I’m in my own skin. At the time I wrote it sort of about taking charge in a relationship.
What does the future hold for Céleigh Chapman?
Album release at Hotel Cafe May 29th. I’m really excited! Getting out and playing a little bit farther and wider, and to just continue to play music. Hopefully people like it! But in the meantime just writing songs for TV, then the Grammys and ya know what ever else.
Thank you so much to Céleigh for taking the time to do this, it was a blast! Check out her EP Happy Now available on iTunes and if you’re in the LA area, see her perform at Hotel Cafe May 29th or at Make Music Pasadena on June 7th. For show or music updates for her on Twitter, @celeighchapman, Facebook, or www.celeighchapman.com.
