Press
βAn undoubted talentβ ~ Sir George Martin
βNostalgic musicality with a gritty edge, sophisticated and innovativeβ ~ Get In Her Ears
βDarkly alluring, chic sonic blissβ ~ Fame Magazine
βGrandiose and majesticβ ~ Conversations About Her
βBow down to Calista Kazuko whose theatrical flair gives her powerβ ~ Earmilk
βa bold and immersive sound of her ownβ - Songwriting Magazine
"β¦a visionary, innovative artist who makes an incredible strand of alternative pop.β ~ Charlie Ashcroft, Amazing Radio
(For Fury & Elysium)
'A bold, revolutionary, and fearless piece of theatre' ~ West End Best Friend β©β©β©β©
'A great new musical with a bright future' ~ All That Dazzles β©β©β©β©
'The music feels fresh and relevant' ~ Broadway World
β[one of] the best UK theatre [shows] to see in June 2023β ~ 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 Londonβs 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, Calistaβs music has opened Stella McCartney runway shows and graced programmes on Channel 4, E4 and ITV. Sheβs enjoyed top 5 chart success and major radio station play-listing (BBC, Capital). Recent releases have seen features on popular playlists such as Spotifyβs βNew Music Fridayβ.
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 βUchiβ project in collaboration with Migrant Help. She led music making project βNotes from the Frontlineβ, creating an album of songs with NHS staff in response to the pandemic.
Her stunning concept album βEmpressβ continued to modify the norms of modern songwriting, working alongside some of the UKβs 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. βFury and Elysiumβ premiered at The Other Palace in June 2023. She is now writing a brand new show with Kate Marlais which is currently in development.