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LATEST NEWS

• Castella has been nominated as “Female Vocalist of the Year” and “Intoxicated Love” was nominated as “Song of the Year” by SoulTracks.com - results will be revealed in December.

• Castella to be the first SJ Artist to release a Spatial Mix - 3D Audio - Dolby Atmos

PART OF MY STORY - PART OF MY JOURNEY

Well Hello There!

I promised an update about my journey (Written August 2020)

Today marks one year since the Castella launch!! The journey continues for me! What a year I’ve had! Looking back on my year, I’ve made so much progress in the right direction. I’ve had a few hiccups along the way, but I pressed my way through...through tears, anger, disappointment, confusion, more anger, sadness... I found joy, some light in my tunnel, because certainly, I am not at the end.

So what in the heck happened? 

The first blow was being asked to resigned from my Executive job of about two years. Things had become weird, political...not cool, but I never envisioned someone completely giving up on me. It stung, it hurt, it still does... it was unimaginable because I, had always played it safe, taking the job was risky because the person in charge could come in one day and essentially say, I don’t like you anymore, please leave. That happened to me and I was shocked by it, but not surprised.  Especially when you’ve seen what you’re dealing with. But there I was, faced with the decision to go look for another HR job or put a bow on this career and do something else. But what else am I good at? I had just finished the EP. I’ll admit, I was a little afraid to put myself out there and start performing, but I had no choice, this was my time, my window had opened, the door had closed, a giant hole had been blown out and well, it was time to make the exit, escape from my safe career...I escaped.

A few things happened... I started hanging out in the music community, meeting people, introducing myself. Hanging out with my good friend Charlotte mostly...she let me tag along... it was awesome! Me out, at a bar, on a Monday night, a Wednesday night, sometimes Thursday, shoot everyday, supporting other singers and musicians. No one had really heard me sing, except Char and she always pumped me up.  This went on for a bit, until Darryl said, your EP has been out for a while now, you need to get out there...he had complete confidence in me and gave me the sweet nudge I needed.  I believe it was September or October 2019, my Sorority sisters went to an event at a local jazz spot and took pictures with the artist afterwards. He looked nice, after all, he took pics with my Sorors!! So I took it upon myself to send him a message asking to open up for him. To my surprise, he responded! Oh shoot!! I wasn’t ready! What if he says, come open up Saturday...I didn’t call him!! Once I got myself ready, fear set in a bit. Fast forward to church one Sunday, I believe this was late October, my pastor’s message touched me. He said, take action, that action could change your life! It was time to call, so Monday morning, I got up the courage and I called him. He called me back! Even after I failed to follow through on two occasions! I nervously introduced myself...and it was as if he was waiting there to help me...and help me, he did! He put me in touch with his radio promoter and an international DJ.  I called them both...

The promoter listened to my stuff and urged me to promote one of my songs, I was hesitant, but I decided to go for it, but had to wait until the end of March!! The DJ played my entire EP starting January 1. 

Meanwhile, I had started doing open mics at the Mixx In Pasadena and Sofitel in Beverly Hills while jamming with my new friend Bill Grisolia in Long Beach! Meeting absolutely amazing musicians and people along the way! I started being asked to sing with my good friend Lester Lands who I met through Bill... mostly the blues, but it was working! I was out there performing, on stage! I had actually booked my first gig, April 24, 2020... if not for the pandemic, I’m not sure what would be going on with me. 

The radio promotion went well, the song “No Ordinary Love” made its way on to the Smooth Jazz charts and I suddenly found this whole new world of artistry and I, me, was a part of it! Thanks to making that one phone call to the National Recording Artist who found it in his heart to help me. Because someone had helped him. He further changed my life by allowing me to sing as a featured artist at my Sorority Gala with his band, it was absolutely amazing!! First time with a live band of amazing musicians... I was hooked! Other possibilities had opened and I was ready! I’m still ready! Just waiting for the world to heal.  

A year later, I’ve grown so much both as a person and certainly as an artist. I at first felt fear and maybe undeserving, now I feel confident and ready...validated! Yet humble, ever grateful! 

I finished a single that I wrote in August 2019, with new people on my team... I never imagined any of this. Never! The acceptance is overwhelmingly amazing! I’m on a projectory that is satisfying, something I finally feel I’m good at. I have my moments of doubt, but someone quickly says something to snap away any doubt. On the horizon, I see great things ahead...my new day continues... I’ll check back in and continue more of this journey I’m on... It has been AMAZING so far...just another part of the journey...continues…

Well Hello There!

Who am I? Who is Castella, you ask? (Written August 2019)

I’m just a girl from Long Beach, CA living a dream I didn’t realize I had. I’ve been singing all my life. I am a gospel singer to the core, but for some reason, for this project, God gave me love songs and ain’t nothing wrong with love! I’ve sang in my church choir since I was little, gradually moving up to the adult choirs through the years. I’ve sang in numerous groups, community choirs, school choirs and work choirs. As a soloist, I’ve sang at weddings, funerals, banquets, pageants, talent shows, birthday parties and sporting events. Countless times I’ve sang and freely shared my gift. I always try to say yes; I’ve always sang for the pure love and joy of it!

… “So what’s this new thing you’re doing” people ask me. It’s almost as if I’ve been reborn and I’ve been given this second chance to do what I truly love. I feel a little crazy, actually. I truly admire people who find their voice early in life. I suppose my voice and I knew one another, but when it came to my life, it was about graduating college, getting a job, hoping someone would want to marry me so we could have kids! It all happened that way. I’m so blessed! I love my family with all my heart.

I could go into grand detail about this past year, but I won’t. My friends are modest spirits who would rather have the light shine on someone else. So here goes… On my birthday in September 2018, I declared I was going to make the best of the rest of my life and the Universe heard me loud and clear! I once heard that if you’re not doing what you're supposed to be doing with your life, the Universe would make it happen. Special people were placed in my path to inspire me, encourage me, push me, help me… it was amazing, it was what I needed. I discovered simply by being asked, that I was a songwriter. Who knew? My mind was blown.

I spent many hours writing and recording songs and melodies on my voice memo and notes. Every little crazy thought I had, I ran with it, I wrote it down, I captured the moment, the sounds, the words. At the time, I allowed myself to be a hopeless romantic, to flow, to go with the thought, the fantasy and write it down! I love Rom Coms, so there’s an inspiration for you! As I readied myself to record my first song, I developed the worst tooth ache ever and suffered a flat tire too. I managed to persevere and make way… nothing was going to stop me. That was January of this year. The first song recorded was No Ordinary Love. We finished that song with one session. I found myself in studio for about 7 more sessions to complete the entire project. We got it done! I am so proud of the project. I’m so grateful for my friends! I hope my journey will inspire people young and old to embrace what you love and what loves you. I truly believe my music loves me just as much as I love it. Stepping out and living life is what its all about. I’m living my best life right now.

I’m so delighted to share what we did! I hope you like it! I’m thinking about you!

Love,

Castella