celia

Artist Information

Biography

She attracts a wide demographic as her following on the St. Louis music scene. Whether performing alone or with her back up band (Celia's Big Rock Band), she welcomes all with a laugh and a smile. Where Celia sings, people gather. Celia's generous smile accompanies every song she sings. Her singing range is broad: She can belt songs out on a Broadway stage; she can lead the sing-a-long at camp. Couple this with her exceptional ability with the guitar, and Celia delivers a performance that's second to none.

Because of her first rate charisma, Celia is often called on to be both an emcee and a featured performer for charity events and music festivals. Plus, during the holiday seasons, you can find "Celia's Yuletide Express" performing Christmas classics in local restaurants and nightclubs to the delight and joy of the patrons.

An eclectic performer, Celia mixes rock, folky funky expressions, and the vocal strength of torch song singers to make her own unique recipe of sound—a bit of performers like Carole King, Edie Brickell, Burt Bacharach, and a dash of groups like the Sundays, The Isley Brothers, and the Pretenders while still managing to have room for more than a sprinkle of her own special ingredient.

Celia is a genuine original.

Celia performs solo or with a band. Her solo shows are intimate performances of covers and originals, tuned to delicately tickle and tug at the listener's heart's ear. With sounds ranging from old prairie folksongs to science fiction soul, Celia's music entertains listeners of all ages. Celia's Big Rock Band delivers uptempo, soulful rock, designed to get the party grooving.


AWARDS
Kansas City Area Music Awards Best Singer/Songwriter nominee, 2001
St. Louis Area Music Awards Best Singer/Songwriter nominee, 2001 and 2002

VENUES
Off Broadway, St. Louis MO
Mississippi Nights, St. Louis MO
The Pageant, St. Louis MO
The Duck Room, St. Louis MO
The Quiet Storm, Pittsburgh PA
Free Times Cafe, Toronto ON
Fez Under Time Cafe, New York, NY
Lucky Lounge, Austin TX
Momo's, Austin TX

APPEARED WITH
Del McCoury
John Hartford
Leftover Salmon
Blueground Undergrass
Ripley Caine
Trachtenburg Family Slideshow Players
Tony Furtado
Sheila Nichols
Patrice Pike

FESTIVALS/CONFERENCES
Ladyfest Midwest
Access To Amsterdam
SXSW
Blackhawk Music Festival
Salmonfest
Homegrown Hoedown
Women in Rock

Instrumentation

solo show=celia and guitar
band show=4 piece rock and roll band (2 guitars, bass, and drums)

Discography

Celia Smokes! (live recordings, 2001)
LOVE-O-RAMA (2001)
DANGER: LIVE WIRE! (2004)
TRANSFORMATEURS (2008)

Official Website

http://www.celiaisrock.com

Links

• Celia's Website
• Myspace
• Love-O-Rama Records

Audio

• Heavy on the Makeup
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• Bus Stop
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• Curly Hair
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• Harley Weewax
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• Sweet Potato
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• The Day Before
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• My Project for the New American Century
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• Help
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Video

Mack the Knife

Photo Gallery

Press

• The Reason to Love Celia. . . [+ Show ]
  

  The reason to love Celia is that she can make a record that, on paper, incorporates few chafing indi...The reason to love Celia is that she can make a record that, on paper, incorporates few chafing indie-rock cliches and still makes it feel fresh, new and listenable. Live, she also has a pitch-perfect sense of humor led by an unrestrained improvisational sense that leads to interpretations that are provocative and unique. Expect Celia and her Big Rock Band to deliver a concise musical statement from an artist whose auspicious moment has finally arrived."

• Riverfront Times (St. Louis MO) [+ Show ]
  

  It's kinda scary, the relentless charm of Celia. Though still a relative newcomer, the perky singer... It's kinda scary, the relentless charm of Celia. Though still a relative newcomer, the perky singer/songwriter has captivated hordes of St. Louisans with her winsome, wide-eyed folk/pop. Her general adorableness knows no bounds: Last year, the transplanted Kansan was nominated in both the Kansas City Klammies and the St. Louis Slammies -- an unprecedented feat, as far as we know. Whether she's singing about armadillos or a lover's ringlets, whether she's emceeing a Women in Rock show or busking on the streets of Soulard, whether she's goofing around on KDHX-FM or holding court at Metropolis' The Lot, Celia melts hearts wherever she goes. Imagine a cross between Raffi and Melanie. If the thought of such a hybrid turns your stomach, well, maybe you're one of the unhappy few immune to Celia's allure. Unless you're an unmitigated crab-ass, you'll probably find yourself grinning like a moron in no time.

• Pitch Weekly (Kansas City MO) 2001 [+ Show ]
  

  Klammie-nominated singer/songwriter Celia recently relocated to St. Louis and promptly earned a nod ...Klammie-nominated singer/songwriter Celia recently relocated to St. Louis and promptly earned a nod for a Slammie, making her quite possibly the first artist to become eligible for both awards in the same calendar year. Her loyal Lawrence-based fans might still be scrambling to fill the void left by the absence of her regular gigs at the Brown Bear Brewery, but her debut full-length Love O Rama, should ease their pain. Recorded at Z’gwon,th Studio, Love O Rama showcases Celia’s confident vocals, her skilled acoustic playing and particularly her clever wordplay. On the opening “Flirting,” she directs a series of coy queries at a “gymnast of joking” who’s giving her best lines, asking Are you just having fun/Could I be anyone? Musically, the album’s finest song “Forgot February,” offers melancholy melody that emphasizes the regret at which its lyrics hint. When she sings It felt good to be reckless, the chilly guitar hook in the background suggests that consequences followed this carefree time. Celia wraps up the disc with a drastically rearranged version of The Beatles’ “Help” – one that, by toning down the tune’s catchiness, enhances the urgency of its message.

• John Dear, local rock star [+ Show ]
  

  I don't care if you are into rock or rap, country or classical, techno or disco, you will be mesmeri...I don't care if you are into rock or rap, country or classical, techno or disco, you will be mesmerized by Celia. She's filled with a positive energy that radiates through any room she plays. Local music critic/Rock Star himself, Roy Kasten once referred to her as "Sonic Zoloft." You can find Celia performing at rock clubs, coffeehouses, comedy clubs, restaurants, public parks, and deserted shopping malls. She can emcee one of those jam band festivals in the Ozarks that i never go to, host an open-mic night at Novak's that I sometimes go to, and provide entertainment for you child's birthday party. In a jaded world filled with cynical bastards like me, couldn't we all use a little more Celia in our lives?

Setlist

Original Tunes:
Heavy on the Makeup
Armadillo
You Just Gave Your Love Away
Sweet Potato
Happy Accidents
Bus Stop
Don't Put That On Me
Bad Mood for Good
Unrequited
My Project for the New American Century
Flirting
Forgot February
Fork and Spoon
Curly Hair
Howard
Ipper Song

Cover Tunes:
Help
I'm Gonna Sit Right Down
Fascinatin' Rhythm
Take Me Home
I Need Love
On A Clear Day
Mama Just Wants to Barrelhouse
Dancing Queen
Anticipation
etc.

Prefer a long set when possible, can play two one and a half hour sets.

Basic Requirements

PDF Rider

Celia's ONE sheet

Calendar