EPK — CalistaKazuko

Calista Kazuko

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Press

“An undoubted talent” ~ Sir George Martin

“Nostalgic musicality with a gritty edge, sophisticated and innovative” ~ Get In Her Ears

“Darkly alluring, chic sonic bliss” ~ Fame Magazine

“Grandiose and majestic” ~ Conversations About Her

“Bow down to Calista Kazuko whose theatrical flair gives her power” ~ Earmilk

“a bold and immersive sound of her own” - Songwriting Magazine

"…a visionary, innovative artist who makes an incredible strand of alternative pop.” ~ Charlie Ashcroft, Amazing Radio

(For Fury & Elysium)

'A bold, revolutionary, and fearless piece of theatre' ~ West End Best Friend ✩✩✩✩

'A great new musical with a bright future' ~ All That Dazzles ✩✩✩✩

'The music feels fresh and relevant' ~ Broadway World

‘[one of] the best UK theatre [shows] to see in June 2023’ ~ Attitude Magazine

Bio

A singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist known for cinematic genre-bending and controversial boundary-pushing, Calista studied classical/jazz piano and composition at London’s Royal Academy of Music, and has since been performing and winning fans across the world with her dynamic voice and captivating songs.

With shows from Wembley Arena to Live from Maida Vale for the BBC, Calista’s music has opened Stella McCartney runway shows and graced programmes on Channel 4, E4 and ITV. She’s enjoyed top 5 chart success and major radio station play-listing (BBC, Capital). Recent releases have seen features on popular playlists such as Spotify’s ‘New Music Friday’.

A passionate advocate for using her art as a platform for change, Calista founded charity-based arts collective Voice of Aiko and heads the ongoing ‘Uchi’ project in collaboration with Migrant Help. She led music making project ‘Notes from the Frontline’, creating an album of songs with NHS staff in response to the pandemic.

Her stunning concept album ‘Empress’ continued to modify the norms of modern songwriting, working alongside some of the UK’s leading charities to challenge complex themes while never losing its sense of fun.

Whilst dedicating time to becoming a Mother, Calista wrote her debut piece of music-theatre alongside playwright Stephanie Martin. ‘Fury and Elysium’ premiered at The Other Palace in June 2023. She is now writing a brand new show with Kate Marlais which is currently in development.

‘EMPRESS’

Calista’s debut studio album ‘Empress’ was released on the 15th November 2019 and dedicated to her father the late, great violinist Professor Paul Robertson. A massive inspiration to Calista the album was released to honour his birthday.

‘Empress’ is fan funded and supported by Help Musicians UK’s ‘Do It Differently’ fund.

Thanks to support using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England, the wider ‘Empress’ project has expanded to include The Empress Diaries podcast, online community and artistic charitable campaigns.

Download 'empress'

Stats at a Glance

Calista’s recent releases have garnered much love and support from fans and the media.

Championed by BBC Introducing London and invited to speak at BBC Introducing Live for 2 years running.
Featured in high-profile Spotify playlists including Spotify’s ‘New Music Friday’ Acoustic/Alternative Heavy Hits and H&M, Zara and Pull&Bear in-stores.

Live

Performances at The Royal Albert Hall and Wembley Arena.
Live from Maida Vale session for the BBC.
Residencies at London’s top jazz venues including The Pheasantry, Crazy Coqs and Madame Jojos (rip).
2 x US Tours with sell-out shows at The Rooftop in Las Vegas and The Viper Room in LA.