Pop R&B singer-songwriter Celine Wanyi has released her new song, Shadow of You. We asked her the BIG questions . . .
"I wrote this song aiming to capture the feeling of spiralling and being lost, as well as the repetitive yet non-linear process of moving on from a past relationship," she says.
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"Shadow of You is about knowing a relationship is over but being unable to get the person's essence and voice out of your head.
"Self-discovery has also been a significant recurring theme in my life these past few years - learning who I am on my own, understanding what I think and feel without the `shadow’ f other people’s opinions and judgments, and recognising which beliefs belong to me and which belong to others."
Tell us three things about yourself…
I like to sing. I like to make music. I have a dog called Mylo.
How would you describe your music?
Heartbreak therapy. I like my music to be a safe space. I want my listeners to feel like they can feel emotional and vulnerable. My songs are based on my personal experiences and what I've been through.
Who are your musical inspirations?
Growing up, I listened to a lot of pop, jazz, and R&B. Recently, I’ve been inspired by artists like Maeta, Christian Kuria, Kaytranada, and H.E.R. Ariana Grande is also a big influence, since we have similar voice types, I study her vocal arrangements and how her production complements her voice. My voice teacher, Shelley Jameson, is an opera singer, and I’m learning classical techniques with her as well.
What was the first gig you ever went to?
I think it was Elton John, but I don't remember much since I was so young. The only song I knew was Can You Feel The Love Tonight from The Lion King, which I loved. I was struggling to stay awake since it was my nap time and I just wanted to hear my song. By the time he played it, I was too tired to appreciate it and ended up passing out. Ironically, my uncle joked about how I didn’t know how to enjoy a concert, but here we are now!
What was the first record you ever bought?
Kelly Clarkson’s Breakaway. It was such a good album. Before that, I mostly listened to my mom’s and sister's albums - we had CDs from Backstreet Boys, Westlife, Mariah Carey, Alicia Keys, Barbra Streisand and Celine Dion. I remember being really protective of our CDs; I would arrange them by colour or name and get upset if the cases broke. I couldn’t understand how some people could use CDs as coasters!
What’s your favourite song right now?
It’s definitely Shadow of You. I know it’s a bit cheesy to pick my own song but I really can’t wait for people to hear it. I’m also excited about my next single, which we just finished writing.
Favourite lyric of all time?
I have to say, my favourite lyrics are from an unreleased song which will be on my upcoming EP. The lyrics go "holding onto these matches, losing my balance, alone in my palace".
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Pop R&B singer-songwriter It’s an impossible question because I think my answer changes every few months but right now it's Deep Green by Christian Kuria.
Where can people find your music/more information?
You can find me on Instagram and YouTube and occasionally TikTok. My music is available on Spotify, Apple Music, and all other streaming platforms!
Alan Corr
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