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Singer/songwriter Callia Bara has been on the grind creating dreamy, synth-pop, dance tracks. With inspirations from old hollywood films, pop art, and burlesque, her unique style and sound is one to look out for. Put her on your music now, and get to know her a little bit better in our GroundSounds exclusive interview below.
For those just hearing you for the first time, can you tell us little bit about your background and how you got started making music?
I’m 21 years old, and I’ve been making music forever. Formative experiences include my mother’s bedtime rendition of Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” as I was growing up, seeing my first-ever arena tour (Janet Jackson, when I was a toddler) and falling under the spell of live performance, memorizing any and all Britney Spears choreography via MTV and, finally, seeing Marilyn Monroe in Some Like It Hot (1959) for the first time. After all that, there was just no going back.
Can you tell us about the inspiration and creative process behind your track “The Love”?
The Love is hypnotic. I call it Dream-Pop. I wrote it in under 5 minutes. It came to me in one big wave of inspiration. My best (and catchiest) melodies reveal themselves quickly in this way. I’d been thinking about an introductory piece to the upcoming EP LOVERS REVUE for a long time – I wanted something to set the thematic tone of the record, to draw people in sonically and visually. The song is about an experience of inspiration itself. I’ve always had muses – certain people who come into my life and inspire art, and The Love is absolutely about that.
What has it been like working on your upcoming EP Lovers Revue? What should fans expect? Is there a release date?
LOVERS REVUE has been a whirlwind process. I wanted great material on this EP for the fans – it’s fun, it’s pop, and it’s dance. I’ve produced LOVERS REVUE in its entirety, except for one bonus track called Fool In Love, a mega-dance hit produced by PENGWIN, a good friend of mine and wonderful EDM producer. I really immersed myself in the creative process of this EP – producing the songs myself gave me absolute freedom.
What is it about old Hollywood film’s and cabaret that attracts you?
The glamour. The sex. The stars. The clothes. I was 10 years old when the film & musical CHICAGO (2002) hit theatres and I don’t think I’ve ever been the same since. That film spoke to me in a major way in terms of aesthetic. And then there are real Old Hollywood studio pictures that I’ve always loved, and furthermore the actors and actresses that star in them. Elia Kazan’s A Streetcar Named Desire (1951) is my favorite film of all time. Marlon Brando is a dream. No one compares. I also idolize Marilyn Monroe and Bettie Page – I’ve always wanted create a place for myself amongst those ladies. They were provocative, thrilling, talented. I want to bring all that back to the forefront of pop music and pop culture.
What can you tell us about your track “LIVE FANTASY”?
LIVE FANTASY is unlike anything I’ve ever put out. It’s the song that opens LOVERS REVUE, and it’s very moody. It’s a burlesque pop song. The visuals will be scintillating. The concept for the music video has everything to do with deep, dark desires. There are masks, robbers, guns, red lips, diamonds. Don’t tell mama.
Can you tell us about some of your performances on the underground performance art scene?
The most recent performance was part of a neo-burlesque/cabaret/variety show downtown, in a sweet little joint that used to be a speakeasy way back when. I was asked by the organizing committee to open the show with a performance art piece that dealt with the social constructs of gender and sexuality. I decided to make it an interactive piece and involved the audience. The song “I Wish I Was A Girl” by The Vaccines came on, and I walked through the crowd with an unlit cigarette. A guy in the crowd lit it for me, and then I climbed onstage. I began to dance, taking layer by layer of clothing off until I was left in my heels, skirt, tshirt and suspenders. As the song came to a climax, I threw the cigarette aside, smeared my red lipstick all over my face and pulled a steak knife out from underneath my skirt.
What people, places, and books have inspired you as an artist?
Films and stars inspire me every day – old and new. Nicolas Winding Refn’s DRIVE (2011) is a recent work I really liked. The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975) is another inspiration. I love all things decadent, indulgent, luxurious, camp. The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999) is another beautiful film. Live performances inspire me – the ability to convey emotion, to be a vehicle for something greater. Monroe’s performance of Marilyn is definitely something that inspires me daily. LA always gets me – that figurative Hollywood, that space filled with movie and music history. Finally, books… too many to name. I love novels like The Outsiders, but I really spend my time reading analytical works like Camille Paglia’s Sexual Personae, or Vamps and Tramps.
How does music make you feel?
Music makes me feel like I can do anything. It helped me through some of the darkest times in my life. The wonderful thing about being a musician is that you can take that darkness and turn it into something good. Music has inspired great art, great films, great novels. It’s absolutely universal. It’s by far the most powerful tool we have at our disposal in terms of love, mutual understanding, relating to one another on a profound, humane level. Nothing is more rewarding than a fan coming up to me after a live set and telling me how much they loved one of my songs. One word, one note, can truly move.
What are some of your future goals?
My immediate goals are to assemble a team as driven and compelled as I am to impact popular culture, to put on world tours, to create great art. The world has changed as of late – with the Internet, the artist can produce and distribute independently. As a pop artist, though, I’ve always dreamed of travelling the world and putting on theatrical arena shows operatic in emotion and magnitude, with visuals and stage fixtures, dancers and band. I want to build the show of my dreams, the kind of show fans deserve. I know I need a visionary team – management, and a label – to help me accomplish it, to realize it, to bring it all to life.
Who would you like to collaborate with in the future?
Dream collaborations of mine include Lenny Kravitz, The Weeknd, Jack White. I grew up singing along to Steven Tyler songs on the radio… performing with him would be far out. I also love Anthony Kiedis, Prince, Iggy Pop.
After the release of Lovers Revue, what’s next?
In keeping with my character (I’m a relentless worker, I love to think ahead), I’ve already started to conceptualize the next album I’ll be releasing. It’ll deal with the themes of glamour and death, how they relate, what they reveal, what they hide. And many, many, many more music videos to come.
