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🏆 Celeste: Singing, Storytelling, and Stepping Into the Spotlight
Published: 13 March 2025 at 05:00 Europe/London
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Episode notes
This week Clara is joined by award-winning singer, songwriter, and creative powerhouse Celeste to chat about life, music, and the magic of travel. From her early days finding confidence in her voice to playing iconic venues and scoring Oscar nominations, Celeste takes us on a journey through her career highs, personal revelations, and the places that have shaped her.
Celeste reflects on growing up between Brighton and London, how moving to a more bohemian city influenced her creativity, and how an unexpected moment in college helped her discover the power of her voice. She talks about the thrill of performing her first paid gig, the excitement of taking the train to London with dreams of being discovered, and why public transport continues to inspire her.
She gives insight into the creative process behind her second album, how she is pushing herself artistically, and why she is determined to make this record truly her own. Celeste also shares her experience working on soundtracks for projects like Day of the Jackal and Pixar’s Soul, and why acting might be a bigger part of her future.
Tour life is on the agenda as she discusses the joy of live performance, what makes Scottish audiences so special, and why she is championing small music venues across the UK.
It is a warm, inspiring, and entertaining conversation with one of the UK’s most exciting voices.
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Chapter Markers:
00:40 - Early Musical Moments – Celeste recalls the first time her singing made an impact.
01:40 - The Journey of 2025 So Far – Celeste shares insights on energy, focus, and personal growth.
03:00 - First Steps in Music – From early collaborations with Teeks to breaking into the industry.
06:00 - Growing Up in Brighton – Celeste’s childhood and the influence of her surroundings.
08:20 - An Inspirational Figure – A personal story about a trans woman named Sophie who inspired Celeste.
10:40 - Finding Confidence in Music – The moment Celeste realised the power of her voice.
13:20 - First Musical Travels – Celeste talks about her first gig and the experience of traveling for music.
16:40 - Performing in Scotland – A memorable gig at Barrowland Ballroom and the warmth of Scottish audiences.
18:40 - Taking a Step Back – How the pandemic forced a necessary pause in Celeste’s career.
22:40 - Unexpected Recognition in Cuba – Celeste shares a surprising fan moment abroad.
27:00 - The Beauty of Public Transport – How travel and people-watching inspire her music.
30:40 - Lending Her Voice to Film & TV – Working on soundtracks and understanding storytelling in music.
33:40 - Touring and Fan Interaction – What fans can expect from Celeste’s upcoming shows.
36:20 - The Importance of Small Venues – Supporting grassroots music spaces.
39:40 - The Second Album Challenge – Celeste reflects on the creative process of her sophomore album.
44:00 - Acting Aspirations – Celeste’s thoughts on future film roles.
45:40 - The Celeste Movement – Her unique performance style and stage presence.
46:00 - Closing Thoughts – Clara wraps up the episode and teases the next one.
