We use tension in music just like pressure with your hands. I think about music as a way to massage the soul.
At my shows, I always check out the room to get a sense of how people are feeling first. I really have fun just exploring and trying out new things-disrupting the dogma around songwriting and performance. your earlier music and is there anything you’ve learned that you can share with up and coming artists? How was the experience of making this album vs. I also listen to a lot of podcasts on songwriting, as well as Janelle Monáe and Erykah Badu. What other artists are currently on your playlists?įor better of worse, I just discovered Arca-so visceral. “Toxic” was it and the audience has been so amazing in appreciating it. I thought, what could I do to bring sexuality to this instrument, something that would be more visceral. Simon (my percussionist) and I wanted to dispel the idea that the harp is only appropriate in sacred and religious settings-just a docile instrument. Of all songs to cover, how did you land on this Britney Spears classic? It’s one of those versatile songs that I’ve heard covered in many ways. It’s about facing the world, being responsible and respecting investment in yourself.Īnd I have to ask about the “Toxic” cover that is absolutely amazing. The song is an anthem for people who have been in codependent relationships. He invited me up on stage to sing and at the same time, someone drove up to the property and we saw the headlights come through the woods. Lee, a percussionist who also plays bass. I was also thinking, how do I write a record where the music comes first, then the writing of the song.įor “Headlights,” it was the Ashton Court Festival who invited artists, including Ryan J. I had been conceptualizing for a while and thinking about relationships and codependency. Tell us a little about what you were thinking when you wrote this and how it sets the stage for the record?įor this project, the idea of the record came first. “Headlights” is the first single off of Cantaloupe. That feeling is universal, and I’ve been very surprised people have been able to connect with this song, especially. I did a few songs that I always do-usually “Tip Toe,” with the message of having to be on edge when you’re walking around someplace that feels like you shouldn’t be because of the history. I got to go play in Sweden this year, Finland in a little festival there, as well as Austria where we gathered about 9 different harpists and played in a little castle on a hill. It’s really amazing how music has become a vehicle to connect people and I’ve seen that while I was on tour. What has been your favorite part of touring? Your music has brought you all over the world in the last year. In experimenting you don’t have much to lose, so we have the freedom to put on shows and musical experiences. There isn’t as much of a competitive edge-not like on the coasts. For a while, it was like I couldn’t find black jeans tight enough. It’s highly collaborative, highly communal, with lots of venues in town.
Kansas City is historically known for its jazz music. What is the music scene like there and has it inspired your music today? For me, it’s a mix of genres and interests. The most powerful work comes from your core. I feel like, if you want to be true to yourself, you have to dig deep into what is naturally yourself. I played acoustic guitar in high school and then got into classical. My mom listened to gospel and my dad listened to Motown. I did a lot of contemporary worship music. Rather than stick to one sound, what inspired you to experiment so much on this album? Cantaloupe is such a mix of sounds and genres. I hope the audience experiences that my shows are a safe place to be extra. I write lots of songs dealing with relationships, and I like to explore all 5 senses to create a ceremonious self-expression of music, life, love, and emotions at my shows. Post shared by Calvin Arsenia on at 2:35am PST For people just learning about you, tell me a little about the kind of music you make and what you hope people take away from your latest album?