Ali Caldwell – Colors

By starrymag | January 30, 2019

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

Q) How would you describe your sound?

 

A) My sound is very unalike eclectic and filled with a lot of soul and feeling. A mix between classic and modern. My sound is diverse and not boxed in, free to touch every soul from young to old.

 

Q) Who are some of your musical influences?

 

A) Beyoncé, Christina Aguilera, Celine Dion, Chaka Khan, Tina Turner, Whitney Houston, Patti Labelle, Pink and so many more. I was heavily influenced by a wide variety of artists and music.

 

Q) Talk about the story behind your new song “Colors.”

 

A) “Colors” is just such a great feel good track. When I first heard “Colors,” I literally saw colors. I instantly had a smile on my face and felt like I can conquer the world. I wanted to put out a strong song with the perfect meaning for my followers and fans, pushing the message of SELF LOVE no matter your shape, size or color of your skin and also bringing highlight to colorism and the harsh realities around that subject, as well as high hopes to bring it to an end.

 

Q) What do you think it is about the song that fans connect to?

 

A) I believe it’s not only the musicality part of the song that connects to people, but the message in “Colors” can connect to everyone in the world.

 

Q) What is your song writing process? Do you need music before you can create lyrics?

 

A) Not all the time. In some cases, I may already have a concept with some words and most times create my own music and melody to the song, in other cases, I may hear a track and immediately hear an amazing melody but have no lyrics yet. My process is never the same when creating, that’s my favorite part about being a creative.

 

Q) How much of hand do you have in the production of your music?

 

A) I have BOTH my hands and feet in the production of my music. [laughs] I consider myself to be a perfectionist and I am a strong believer that an ARTIST should be an artist and not feel or be stifled by anyone creating a whole sound and look that’s just NOT YOU! I like to show my followers and fans that I am a true artist, creative, songwriter, producer, and more.

 

 

Q) You were on “The Voice” and “The Four.” What did you take away from your experiences on these shows?

 

A) Omg, “The Voice” was MY FAVORITE experience ever in my career. It taught me so much about myself and the industry. Having Miley Cyrus as a coach she saw right through me. She can see that I just wanna make sure everything I do is perfect, but she taught me that BEING MYSELF is what’s perfect and staying out of my head and not overthinking everything when it comes to me preparing for performances or life period. She also opened me up to a whole music library that I was never aware of and it blew my mind. She is just a musical genius and spending that time with her on the voice I kinda feel like some of that rubbed off on me. [laughs]

 

“The Four” was amazing as well! I learned that your career is not based on a competition. It’s based on how you maximize off being a part of a competition. What your next move is after that. Also WORK ETHIC! I learned that no matter how hard we work, every day we have to get up and fight for our future and NEVER GET COMFORTABLE because the day you get comfortable is the day you can lose it all. Stay woke, stay hungry, stay open to learning and stay in love with yourself and your journey.

 

Q) You got to sing backup for Christina Aguilera on New Year’s Eve! How did the two of you come to work together?

 

A) I have some amazing friends who sing backup for Alicia Keys and my friend Whitney Smith actually put my name in the hat when Christina’s camp was looking for singers. My name got to her and her MD Rob Lewis and I got the call and the job. I was beyond excited and shocked that I was gonna be singing with one of my vocal inspirations, but yet so grateful and just focused on doing my job well every time I got the opportunity.

 

Q) What was it like for you to be performing right before the ball dropped?

 

A) It was INSANE! It was a rainy night and the entire band had on all white. As soon as we got on stage and they said “ACTION” it started pouring rain. What made it so epic was the fact that Christina was in this blinged out all white coat/gown vocally slaying her whole set in the pouring rain and I’m singing on the outside but on the inside I’m screaming “OH MY GOD!!!” It was such an inspiring and learning experience. I don’t care how many times I’ve sung with her, I’ll always be blown away every time.

 

Q) Will there be a full EP or album coming soon?

 

A) Definitely, my new album is coming soon entitled “88.” I CAN NOT WAIT!

 

Q) Where are some of your favorite places to perform and what makes those locations so significant to you?

 

A) I LOVE performing anywhere in NYC or NJ because it’s so close to home and it’s always so good seeing my childhood friends, family and hometown fans in the audience supporting. I LOVE performing in Prague because it holds a special place in my heart. I LOVE performing in Slovakia because I created such a fanbase and also my team and I made some family friends there too as well.

 

Q) Who would you most like to collaborate with on a song in the future?

 

A) I will DIE to collab with any of my inspirations. I think girl power would be a good look – like me and Beyoncé or me and Christina or me and Celine Dion…No one in particular. Anyone that I admire I would love to collab with.

 

Q) You are a part of social media. Why is that such an important way for you to connect with your fans?

 

A) Social media has taken over the world I believe. My fans ages are from babies to grown-ups and I think you have to be able to connect in all areas and social media is one of those areas you MUST stay active in to keep all your fans and followers up to date on everything going on with you and your next move.

 

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work?

 

A) I would like to say I LOVE YOU WITH ALL MY RED HEART AND SOUL!! Every ounce of me is so amazed at how you all hold me down and support me and inspire me to keep going hard for all these years. Never left me. Never switched up. and for that I am forever in love with each and every “Alikat” for growing strong with me! Thank you for loving me. I can’t wait to release this new album. It’s definitely for you.