EXCLUSIVE: Callista Clark Talks Debut EP ‘Real To Me’

Recently signed to Big Machine Records, 17-year-old Callista Clark has kicked-off what promises to be a hugely successful music career with the release of her incredible debut EP ‘Real To Me’ which sees the multi-instrumentalist bringing together a sonic blend of her country roots, and modern-day stylistics.

Here we chat exclusively with Callista Clark to discuss the record further:

You have recently signed to big machine records, how did that come about?

I posted a video of me singing Have You Ever Seen the Rain by Creedence Clearwater Revival on my Facebook when I was 13, and it kind of blew up! My manager now, Scooter Braun, and his partner Allison Kaye saw the video and sent me an email. I got to meet them, and then Scooter introduced me to Scott Borchetta and his amazing team, Big Machine, and it all went from there.

How do you feel having a record deal will affect your career going forward?

I’m a really hard worker, and I am always learning and trying to figure out how I can be better. I hope I always keep that mentality, and I wanna see how far it takes me with a strong team by my side.

What are you hoping to achieve with your team over at big machine?

I just want to do as much as I can and reach as many people as I can with my music. A big goal of mine is to write songs that anybody, any age could relate to, so I hope there is at least one song of mine on this collection that people can relate to.

Your debut EP is out now, how excited are you to be sharing your first record?

I am absolutely in awe right now. I can’t believe it’s all happening. It is so surreal to me. I have been writing songs for this collection for about 2 years, and each song is from something I was truly feeling that day and things that I still feel now. I am beyond excited to have this music out in the world!

Who have you been working with to create this vision?

There are so many amazing songwriters I have written with that took a chance on a new artist, and it changed my life. Laura Veltz, Cameron Jaymes, Emily Shackleton, Liz Rose, Jonathan Singleton, and so many others! I’ve been learning so much from all of the writers I’ve gotten the chance to write with. I have to mention my producer, Nathan Chapman. He is incredible! He challenged me, which I appreciate, and really understood my vision for this collection. And of course I have to shoutout my management, publishing, and label teams that all had a hand in bringing this to life!

How did you find the overall writing and recording experience for this collection?

The writing process has been so much fun! I love writing, and I’ve been blessed to write with some incredible people. All of the songs on this collection started out as me venting to my co-writers and truly opening my heart and saying how I was feeling that day. Recording in the studio is my favorite! It’s my chance to see what I can do, and my producer, Nathan Chapman, really understood that.

What’s it been like gearing up to release your first extended project during this time period?

It has been so crazy! It honestly doesn’t feel real. I have been working with my team and writing for about 3 years now and just waiting for this moment and it’s finally here! COVID has definitely slowed things down a little, but my team has been great about finding creative ways to keep this release moving forward.

Is there one song in particular off the tracklist that you are the most excited about sharing?

Real To Me. It’s the title track to this collection, and it has been such an important and special song to me since the day I wrote it. This song came from a place of me feeling misunderstood and not heard. It’s my way of saying that just because I’m young, it doesn’t make the way I am feeling any less real.

What do you hope listeners take away from the stories on this record?

Each song definitely has a story and an emotion I was strongly feeling the day it was written. I feel each one from the bottom of my heart, and I just hope somebody out there does too. I hope people relate. I hope they feel understood, heard, comforted, and encouraged.

Looking ahead, what else does 2021 hold for you?

I honestly don’t know, but I cannot wait to see! I hope I continue to learn every single day and get as far as I can by focusing on my craft and telling my stories.

Did you enjoy our exclusive interview with Callista Clark? Let us know your thoughts across social media and in the comments below!