Callee
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Music
Press
EMERGING INDIE POP SINGER/SONGWRITER CALLEE IS TAKING TIME OUT FROM RECORDING HER DEBUT ALBUM TO PLAY A SHOW AT KALIBER UNPLUGGED. TONY MCMAHON CATCHES UP WITH HER TO DISCUSS THE IDEA OF THE RECORDING PROCESS AS JOURNEY.
“Recording with a band feels natural and so complementary to my sound,” she says, responding to the question of how she is adjusting after a mainly solo career. “It’s all very well to be the songwriter, but working with such amazing musicians just takes it to the next level. I’ve always been blessed to be surrounded by such talented and driven people. The vibe in the studio is great. We’re all great mates, all share the love and all take those next steps to achieve the final sound.”
Callee recently supported Pete Murray on his See The Sun tour, but, unfortunately for Time Off readers who were hoping for some dirt, she’s a firm believer in the ‘What Happens On Tour, Stays On Tour’ rule.
“I live by this to protect myself as well. Pete has been a very important part of the album process. I’ve recorded a few tracks at his home studio at Eureka. Pete’s offered encouragement and for that I’m so grateful. Hard work, drive, focus and persistence is what has enabled him to achieve his success and this is what has given me the motivation to go full steam ahead.”
Talking of going full steam ahead, it seems there will be no rest for Callee after the Kaliber show.
“I’m flying to Melbourne next week to mix and master the final track. I believe this is the start of the hard journey for me. It’s been four-and-a-half years since I started the album. I’ve had many things happen which made it feel that little bit too hard. Finally, it feels like a natural progression and the only option for me. I just want to share my music and myself to whoever is willing to listen. The most rewarding thing is to have someone be touched by my words.”
WHO: Callee
WHERE & WHEN: Kaliber Unplugged Thursday Jul 8
- Time Off Magazine- Tony McMahon
Unplugged
Callee Mann had it all - the songs, the voice, the performance - even before she got her new band. Now gearing up with some fresh faces, Callee launches her solo act in a whole new direction.
“To someone random asking me what sort of music I play, I’d normally answer with something smart alec-y like ‘go and buy an album’. But as a solo artist, I’ve got a raw, deep balladry sort of sound.”
Classically taught on the piano from the age of five, Callee has always featured the keys in her singer/ songwriter act. But as up-and-coming performances at Kaliber will soon show, new instruments and backing sounds are being thrown into the mix.
“Michael Rick is going to be playing guitar with me, he’s formerly a member of Cartel, a band that used to be on the same line ups as Butterfly Effect. I’ve also got Dan Jacobsen as my bassist, he plays with Kindest Of Strangers.”
And as for the final recruit, Callee will be borrowing Pete Murray’s drummer for performances.
“My brother Jacob has been doing the drumming for my album, and joining me for performances too. I’m always getting influence and inspiration from him. He’s played with lots of great musicians over the years.”
Callee first received recognition for her musical talents when, at 17, she won the Schoolies Award at MusicOz, and ‘Songwriter With The Most Potential’ at the Australian Songwriters Association awards.
“I was in Year 11 music and one of our assignments was to compose a piece. My teacher was the one that really encouraged me to submit it into those competitions. After winning I thought, hmm, maybe I wont study medicine, and do my albums instead.”
After four years, and partial recordings in Byron Bay’s Studios 301, Pete Murray’s home studio and Rockinghorse Studios, her debut album, ‘In This Skin’, is set for release later this year.
“It’s been a long process interrupted by many things, but now the time feels right. All the tracks have been mastered, and I’m working on the artwork just now.”
Callee has been performing her solo shows regularly at Kaliber in Fortitude Valley, but it’s this Thursday at Kaliber’s first ‘Unplugged’ night that Callee will showcase her new band.
“Kaliber has been very supportive of me, and I’d really like to thank them. This is just the start of things for me … only big things to come.”
The first installment of Kaliber Unplugged kicks off this Thursday May 13. Kaliber Unplugged happens every second Thursday of the month showcasing local musicians
- Scene Magazine- Danielle Golding
Discography
Callee- Self Titled EP 2005
In This Skin- Callee - LP- Yet to be released nationally.
First Single Suddenly to be release late 2012 via MGM Distribution.
Photos
Bio
In This Skin is a diary of lessons learnt. Confronting, honest and heartfelt – a thousand emotions per minute.
Vocally captivating and melodically intricate, the intensity of Callee’s sound empowers the listener. Her songs spin a web of sensitivity and vigour with undertones of fragility and reflection – a beautiful combination of sweet and dark.
It has been nothing less than a roller coaster ride for Callee ever since the launch of her debut album In This Skin held at The Press Club, Brisbane in November of 2011. She has new representation, she is relocating to Melbourne and her fan base is expanding by the minute. This sort of commitment is what sets apart the true artists in an industry that seems to be, well, finding its feet again. Luckily for us there are courageous talents like Callee in the world that can not only tell the stories that articulate our thoughts and our hearts through timeless vocals and incomparable delivery, but be able to brave the elements and fearlessly document each one.
Callee is originally from Lennox Head, NSW. You can almost tell this straight away by her hearty laugh and luminous disposition; a spirited glow distinctive to locals from these parts. She’s grown up in the company of musicians, music lovers, surfers, artists, dancers, songwriters, all her life, and her perspective talks of growth and time. Colour and Love. Heartache and Courage. Her tone is reminiscent of Jewel or Missy Higgins, her lyrics transport you to the time of Joni Mitchell, and the tempos and arrangements of her songs pay homage to the anthems of U2, Adele and Cold Play.
Callees accolades include awards in various categories at competitions such as MusicOz, Australian Songwriters Association, NCEIA, the Dolphin Awards, and ZZZ Fm Accelerator. She has toured with Pete Murray as a support act on his 2005 “See The Sun Tour”, and has shared the stage with other great touring acts around the country including Busby Marou, Steven Jaymes, Marshall and The Fro, Rokeby Venus and Dave Dow. She has performed solo and with her band The Melbourne Fringe Festival and Australian Songwriters Association Awards Ceremony in Sydney. During her stay in Brisbane she has recently performed at Byrons Beach Hotel, The Great Northern and iconic Brisbane venues like The Zoo, The Globe, All One World, Tempo Bar and Fridays Riverside, as well as donating her talents at the yearly fundraiser “The Best of Brisbane” in support of the Helen Hackett Foundation where Callee performed as well as auctioned a performance along side celebrities like TV chef Allistair Mcleod (Channel 10’s Ready Steady Cook & Bretts Wharf Seafood Restaurant) to raise $12,500 - the highest bid of the night - with over $100,000 raised in total.
Callee will launch her album again in Byron Bay, before continuing her travels back to Melbourne in June 2012 supporting Brian Cadd & Russell Morris, and a performance at the historical Wesley Anne in Northcote.
Her debut album was recorded alongside engineer/producer, Anthony Lycenko (Pete Murray, Busby Marou, Xavier Rudd, Giants of Science, George, Resin Dogs) and her brother, drummer Jacob Mann (Pete Murray, Busby Marou, Marshall & The Fro, Dallas Frasca,). Other musicians featured on the album include Ben McCarthy (Pete Murray, Kate Miller-Heidke), Murray Burns (Mi-Sex), Matt Smith (Thirsty Merc, Lisa Hunt) Luke Ferguson (Pete Murray, Marshall and The Fro, Lisa Hunt, Jasmine Rae).
Here are what some of her counterparts have said about Callees music:
"The depth of emotion that you can hear in Callee’s voice is simply stunning. Your heart will get the better of you as she seduces you through her brilliantly and lyrically rich crafted songs. What an amazing debut LP — grab yourself a glass of red and turn the lights low for this."
— Frankie, Premier Artists Melbourne
“There have been two artists that have blown me away on first hearing — Pete Murray and Callee Mann. Her voice is simply captivating…”
— Ant
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