Cali Reed – Die Hard

By starrymag | October 21, 2021

By: Alejandra Gil M.

 

 

Q) How would you describe your sound?

 

A) My music is ever-evolving just as I am, but it often goes one of two ways: deep and spacey with rock and electronic sounds, guitar, synths, and emotional vocals. Or spunky and somewhat quirky with hip hop and pop influences, catchy drums, distinct sounds, and very animated vocals.

 

Q) Your single “Die Hard” was released a few weeks ago and I have been listening to it on repeat. What was the song writing process like? Did you have the lyrics or the music first?

 

A) We had the music first. Dovble and I both did some freestyling on the mic and wrote the lyrics together. It all came so easily, it was great.

 

Q) A music video was also posted with the song, directed by CREATIONS: Christopher Reed and Kayla Banda. How involved were you in developing the concept for it?

 

A) I was very involved. It began with some back-and-forth story boarding between Chris, Kayla and me. They would send over pictures of scene drawings as we developed more and more of the concept and story. We each went to thrift stores to buy all the props. I had this idea for a dress, so I picked out a bunch of fabrics from Joann’s and Dovble crafted them together with his sewing machine to make the skirt that I wore in the video. I think it’s very important to be involved in the visual translation of your own music.

 

Q) I heard the song, and it really feels like a fusion of techno/house music with rock, EDM and even hip hop. Was that your goal?

 

A) Yes, definitely. I’d say genre fusion is always my goal, and these are the ones that have the greatest impact on my music style. And they go so well together like a dream.

 

Q) With that being said “Die Hard” means coming to terms with past relationships and doing what you do best – delivering raw emotional truth that both pierces the hearts and satisfies the ears of enthusiastic listeners. What do you hope people take away from it?

 

A) I hope some people can recognize what bad habit they’re latching onto. I hope some can maybe find the strength to break free from it. If not, I hope listeners can just resonate with the emotions in the song and know they’re not alone, nor are they any less of a person for struggling with something.

 

Q) Have you gotten any specific feedback about the song that has stood out?

 

A) Someone did come to me and express how much they resonated with the song and that it comforted them in the midst of losing some friends. Music is powerful in that way, and I love that I could give that to even one person.

 

Q) “Die Hard” follows your previous release of “Ready” back in 2019. What did you take away from that experience that help prepare you to come back with new music?

 

A) I learned to put myself out there more this time, to try and get this song to as many ears as possible. I learned to trust in my art, and trust that it will speak to people.

 

Q) You began performing at the age of eleven, but by the time you turned sixteen years old by networking with other artists you quickly discovered a new passion – music production and vocal engineering and with that to better understand the process of creating music while noticing a glaring lack of female producers, which only strengthened your desire to pursue a career in the field. Why was it important to you to continue in that direction?

 

A) I felt like I had such big feelings and visions that I couldn’t possibly just tell a producer in words. The only way to get it all out was to be able to do everything for myself. I started feeling like something was missing from the process by only ever networking with male producers.

I think, for some reason, production and engineering often seems much less fascinating and glamorous to women in the industry. But it’s truly indescribable to be able to create your own music and I hope to give that passion to more women, to give them more creative control and expressive freedom. We could have such a collaborative and synergistic network in the production world and offer so much more to music.

 

Q) Being passionate about bringing female production into the spotlight and drawing from countless influences including Nicki Minaj, Avril Lavigne, and Missy Elliott. Is there anyone you would like to collaborate with on a song in the future? 

 

A) I would absolutely love to produce some stuff with Missy. I’d love to collaborate with Miley Cyrus, Nicki Minaj and Lady Gaga as well.

 

Q) Do you have any future plans of a tour or any upcoming concerts?

 

A) Concerts and a tour are definitely the next goal. I’m currently working on a bunch of new music, so once this round of projects is finished, I’ll start putting together my live shows!

 

Q) What would you like to say to fans and supporters of you and your music?

 

A) Man, I don’t even know how to put my gratitude into words. I just love and appreciate each and every one of you so much. Get ready for so much more new and different music, collaborations and female productions. Can’t wait to rock out with everyone on stage!

 

 

 

Watch The Video for “Die Hard”