Inspired #392 - Celine Love
Fresh from the release of her debut EP - London based, Hamburg born indie-R&B singer-songwriter Celine Love has returned with her new single ‘Silver Lining’.
Produced by Tony Sage, Celine wrote the track after moving to London from Berlin, and explores the difficulties of maintaining relationships and friendships as an adult, especially when living in different countries.
Once again, the track showcases Celine’s prowess as a songwriter and her ability to wear her heart on her sleeve. She takes relatable themes and unpacks them in the most touching and thoughtful ways through her lyrics. Naming artists such as Alessia Cara, Lianne La Havas and Ama Lou as her biggest inspirations, Celine draws from her combined influences, totally owning her own brand of heartfelt R&B-Pop with Folk storytelling sensibilities.
Celine took a moment to talk to us about the inspirations behind her music.
Who are your top three musical inspirations and why?
My first inspiration and obsession growing up was the Lion King Soundtrack. This was where I understood the connection between emotion, lyric, melody and storytelling for the first time as a little 5 year old. I didnt know why I was feeling what I was feeling but I knew that music had something to do with it.
At the time I started writing I was a big Avril Lavigne fan. I loved that she was honest and raw, wrote on guitar and didn't use complicated chords so I enjoyed learning from her songs.
Currently I love Chloe & Halle because of their genre versatility, moving between R&B and Pop as well as acoustic elements next to heavy productions.
Is there a certain film that inspires you and why?
Weirdly the first thing that comes to mind is School Of Rock. I was OBSESSED with that film when I was a kid and although it's light hearted and aimed at a younger audience there's so much truth about the music industry, pursuing entertainment as a whole and life expectations in there.
I think it really ingrained in me that I need to stay excited about the music I create from a young age and the ‘the man’ really doesn't know much other than how to earn money and that's not why I am in music.
What city do you find the most inspiring and why?
I live in London for a reason. I don’t know if that means the city itself is inspiring or if it’s the new life I've built for myself. Living in a city that is overflowing with art, youth and opportunity has been the catalyst for my career.
At the same time the struggles this city faces and brings like the cost of living etc makes it hard to sustain a career in the first place. There's inspiration to be found in both he positive and negative aspects.
Who is the most inspiring person to you and why?
I’ve thought about this for a while and I think I can't chop it up to one person.
Some days it’s watching a friend overcoming a struggle. Some days it’s my mother, when I recognize how much I respect her journey and what she's sacrificed. Some days it’s my partner, getting to experience someone's love without boundaries. And some days it's past self..what she would've wanted out of life, what I’ve achieved so far and where I am going.
What were your inspirations when writing your new track?
When I wrote ‘Silver Lining’ I had been living in London for a couple years after moving from Berlin. I am originally from Hamburg so that meant I had dipped in and out of quite a few friendship groups.
I found myself not being able to call anyone my best friend, not having a close circle and not staying in touch when people did reach out.
I couldn't quite explain what happened, all I know is that I felt lonely and that feeling left me realising that things needed to change. That's where the line ‘the silver linings I know, I’m not better off alone’ stemmed from.
The track was so personal so to add another layer of authenticity I made a post asking anyone that I had lost touch with to explain what happened from their perspective and to not hold back. Those voice notes are sprinkled throughout the track.
How would you like to inspire people?
Honestly, I don’t consciously aim to inspire, at least not anymore.
Once a songwriting tutor told me that my songs sounded a bit ‘preachy’ as if i was telling people how to live their lives. I didn't agree with her 100% but it did make me realise that the songs that inspired me the most were simply artists being vulnerable and honest, making me feel less alone. Even if people can't relate to my stories, what I hope to give is the experience of sharing...possibly oversharing… but sharing nonetheless.
With this track in particular I’d be more than satisfied in knowing it could've reconnected two long lost friends.
