Interview With Celeste Caramanna

Deep down Celeste probably knew her calling was to be a singer, but it's a difficult career with many obstacles, a decision not to be taken lightly.

Celeste found singing to be the ultimate way to express her self musically. The sheer joy of performing, and her desire to communicate this joy to the public, made it clear to her this was the path she was destined for.

With a new EP, Antropofagico III, we caught up with her to learn more...

First and foremost, hello and how are you?

I’m well thank you... how about you?

Tell us about the record you are about to release…

I released “Antropofagico III” on October 23rd, it’s the last EP of a Triptych.

I’d like to start by talking about the meaning of Antropofagico (Anthropophagic)... people tell me it’s a strange name, but it is a perfect word to describe my attitude with music...

A word formed by Anthropos and Fagei which for indigenous peoples had the meaning of cannibalism. For them, devouring the enemy meant incorporating the strength of the enemy, appropriating that strength.

With Oswald de Andrade, a Brazilian poet, founder of Modernism movement, it takes on a much more complex meaning, it was based on the desire to devour what came from outside and assimilate it ... not to deny the foreign culture but to absorb it, swallow it, process it and mix it to give rise to what can become unique and own. Bringing the outside into us.

As Oswald de Andrade says in the "Anthropophagic Manifesto" of 1928:

“Só a antropofagia nos une. Socialmente. Economicamente. Filosoficamente.”

"Only anthropophagy unites us. Socially. Economically. Philosophically."

This left me fascinated...! So, basically I wanted to claim my freedom, in a sort of way... being free to interpret everything I like, everything I want, doesn’t matter the styles, the genres, even if it’s a bit complicated to explain to people, or difficult to understand this choice...

The EP has a lot of influences... it has a Brazilian percussive DNA, it has a very punchy and determined bass, it has a lot of funk and soul influences (especially in Hilarious and Fill it up, Let me pray...).

The most different is Complex truth, because it’s a very intimate song, with a delicate melody for me...

As a whole, Anthropophagic has a strong electronic presence that takes up traditional keys to modernize them and give them a different scent...

How do you feel when releasing a record?

I feel good because it’s the conclusion of a work that me and my team did together...where we put a lot of thoughts, ideas, feelings, emotions, a part of us... then it’s good to share this work with people that are music lovers and curious...

Tell us a little about your creative process...

We started playing a few melodies, then through playing and playing we created the shape of each tune and the lyrics... it’s a very good moment because you don’t know how that song will develop, what it will become, what you are doing... it’s just a sensation that is bringing you somewhere... but you don’t know where... and time by time, you discover more... especially when each musician plays that tune in his own way... it’s very funny...

The well known facts of 2020 of course are the background of this EP because it’s been developed during that period...



If the record were an animal, what animal would it be?

Probably a chameleon... for its ability to change, flexibility and adaptability...

Define your sound in five words…

My sound in 5 words...

Soulful
Intimate
Rhythmic
Free
Multifaceted

What was the first song that caught your attention?

“Superstition” by Stevie Wonder

What was the first album you bought?

“Thriller” by Michael Jackson.

What was the best concert you have ever seen?

Caetano Veloso and Gilberto Gil’s show.

What did the experience teach you that you have translated to your own shows?

When I’m on the stage there’s just me and my music... Nothing else...

What other artist are you most excited to hear from?

Ray Charles!!!!!

If you could work with them, what would you hope to record?

I would record “Hard Times” with him...

If you had to pick three artists to be filed next to, who would they be and why?

1. Tom Jobim, because he’s a genius... he is so sophisticated, emotional, intense in every melody he composed... he is a master... he is someone superhuman... he turns my heart upside down everytime...

2. Marvin Gaye, because his voice is something special... so soulful, so intimate and so strong at the same time... he had rhythm in his veins and in all his body...

3. Elis Regina, because she has a unique voice, a unique way to communicate with people, a unique point of view, she was spectacular and I admire her very much...

If you could jam with one artist alive or dead, who would it be?

João Bosco... of course... he’s a monster of the guitar.

If you could have written one song by another artist, what would it be?

Tom Jobim, of course... he is one of the greatest composers.

Someone is making a film of your life, who will play you?

I need to tell you that I laughed a lot when I read this question... I don’t know what to say actually... I would always choose Meryl Streep because she’s divine and fantastic... but not because she has something to do with me...

 
Lastly, tell us one thing you have never revealed in an interview…

Most of the time I like listening to music alone...