We had a chat with Cali Santo following the release of his excellent, uplifting new single ‘Bones’
Lauded for the intricacies and heartfelt moments that characterise his rousing, folk-inflected indie pop sound, Cali Santo is an artist with an atmospheric, cinematic appeal that makes for transcendent listening experiences.
His latest single ‘Bones’ is a track that has a real sense of optimism and uplifting charm to it, utilising the rawness of his sound to convey what feels like a very real and authentic expression of joy and excitement. The feeling of hope and the charming way that the track unfolds really feels like it springs from every facet of the sound and its writing, and it feels hard not to get swept up in it as the track progresses. We love this new release and how effortlessly compelling it feels, and had a chat with Cali Santo to find out a bit more about it.
Who TF is Cali Santo?
Cali Santo is a musical alias I’ve been making music under for nearly 10 years. It loosely translates to Holy California, a nod to the musical holyland status that California represented to me as a teenager working my way through my Dad’s record collection.
How long have you been making music?
I fell in love with songwriting when I was about 15. Our family home had a basement where I’d lock myself away and obsessively write songs and perform them to nobody for hours on end. To be honest that’s exactly what I’d be doing now if only I had the time, and a basement.
Why do you make music?
I’m a quiet soul. I have always found it hard to fully express myself in ordinary conversation. When I first started trying to write songs, I realised it was a way to show people that I contained more than I was maybe giving away. I realised I had something in me that would allow me to explore and convey thoughts and feelings that I would ordinarily find impossibly difficult to talk about. To connect with the people who shared them.
What are your biggest influences?
I like any music that plugs straight into the emotional mainframe. Songs that hit you like a train the first time you hear them. Words that hold you hostage. Raw and human, delicate as glass or powerful as the sun. I like artists who are unafraid to expose their humanity.
What would you say has been your best moment so far?
My album launch show in London last week was up there. I don’t often get the chance to play my songs with a band, and it’s something I hadn’t done for 6 years, so it was quite an overwhelming experience to get to do so again in front of so many people I know and love. We filmed the whole thing so I’m really looking forward to sharing that soon.
How would you describe your sound to somebody unfamiliar with it?
Expansive indie folk, blending honest, intimate storytelling with warm, analogue textures and cinematic arrangements. Draws on the spirit of classic folk-rock while also embracing more adventurous indie sensibilities.
What’s your dream “I’ve made it” moment?
Playing a sold out headline show, somewhere far away, to a room full of people who are there to hear my music.
We love your new single ‘Bones’. What more can you tell us about it?
I wrote Bones during a time when a lot of really positive things were happening in my life, both personally and musically. I wanted to capture the quiet sense of hope I was feeling, and use it as fuel to motivate myself and others to keep chasing whatever it is we dream of being. In such bleak and unpredictable times, it is often easy to be caught under the weight of everything, but Bones is a reminder to shut all of that out. To focus on the things you have control over. Making your world better.
What else do you have planned for the near future?
I just want to play my music with people and for people. I’d love to take my songs on the road.
And finally, who is your biggest fan right now?
Mum. Always.
