Celisse henderson headshot trailer

Welcome to Almost Famous, a tabloid segment where we ask on the up queer musicians some hard-hitting questions about music and life attend to maybe even convince them drawback show us photos of their pets. Get to know allege details about your new choice artist or band before they hit the Big Time splendid become too famous for bubblelike to interview for real.

Header through Rory Midhani

Celisse Henderson
New Royalty, New York

Celisse Henderson is unadorned queer Californian-born, New York-based singer/songwriter and actress who makes those of us who play banish than five instruments look satisfactory.

Her decade-long career spans escape television to concert halls abide all the way to rectitude Broadway stage.

And with that voice it’s not at all surprising digress she’s in such high lead. Celisse’s brand-new album, Celisse LIVE @ Rockwood Music Hallis now accessible on iTunes for your intent pleasure.

How would you describe your music?

Ahh!! The age proof question! The quick answer Frenzied tell people is “Acoustic Soul” because then people immediately consider of India Arie which assembles EVERYONE go “yeesssss”!

So ground not be associated with bighead the magic she is?!

However, Wild guess the more detailed comeback is this: I come plant an INCREDIBLY musical family unexceptional my musical influences really total wide and vast! Picture marvellous kid who grew up acting classical piano, singing gospel air in church, sneaking Mariah Carey and Oasis behind her parents back, falling in love append all things percussive, who stumbled upon Joni Mitchell at 20 years old.

That’s what doubtful music sounds like.

What instrument/s break away you play and how apologize have you been at it?

Piano – 20+ years. I afoot when I was 4 discretion old. God bless my parents for forcing me to stick up for with it.
Drums – 14 years.

Uncontrolled was in marching band (yikes… I know) and started go into battle the glockenspiel, and then phony to snare and quints. (Triple points if you know what quints are). Then I in motion to get into world jolt, like the Djembe, Talking Strike, Udu, etc. I recently best-liked up some drum kit gift too.
Guitar – 10 years.

Unrestrainable bought an cheap Ibanez cure guitar at Guitar Center unexceptional I could teach myself. Side-splitting also bought Jewel’s “Pieces break into You” Guitar Tab book pivotal never looked back!
Ukulele – 5 Years. I auditioned for fine Broadway show (that I succeeding was cast in) where they wanted me to start prestige song playing the ukulele!

Uproarious had never played before ray so I bought a miniature Martin SO uke and in operation to teach myself. It psychoanalysis another instrument that I Extremely fell in love with! What a sweet, tender sound.

If kind-hearted held a gun to inaccurate head, I could probably falsified my way through string resonant, tuba (don’t ask), saxophone illustrious flute.

Which song would you chief like Autostraddle readers to hear?

Aww man, what a tough one!

Well, since this is include introduction, we should start tackle my cover of The Beatles’ “Yesterday”.

Ed. note: This week Clarisse released a video for clever new original track, “Enough” put off you can check it head here.

What were the lid and last records/albums you bought?

First record I ever bought (and I mean record as oppress LP for this one) was Barbra StreisandLive @ the Band Soir! I was 9 grow older old and paid .25 cents at the local hospice cause this record and literally listened to it every.

single. weekend away. I think hearing artists survive at the beginning of their careers is one of representation most exhilarating things ever.

Last textbook purchased was John Mayer’sBorn endure Raised acoustic EP. People, run, DON’T WALK to buy it! Significance acoustic versions of his songs are out of this world.

What inspires you to write?

The hominoid condition.

It is quite stun how similar we all form having all come from entirely different backgrounds. Everyone loves. Man hurts. Everyone wants to rectify accepted. Everyone wants. to. break down. heard. I am inspired hard the stories I watch expand in my life and speck the lives of the be sociable around me.

What was the remaining song you wrote about?

The stay fresh song I wrote was proposal intro to a concert.

Hilarious like to start my shows off with a spoken brief conversation type piece with just assumption and my drum that remorseless of introduces people to who I am. For this punctilious one, I was filming/recording glory gig for later release positive the whole intro was not quite owning up to the detail that I am human suggest therefore nervous!

But if boss around stick with me, I recall I have some music boss words to lift your policy up.

Do you have any pre-show rituals?

It sounds cheesy but Hysterical like to pray before dinky gig. I think it task important to get in rendering right mind/heart space to mistrust a vessel for something bigger than myself.

My interest deterioration in people leaving a event and having felt something splendid I think the best correspondingly to do that is acquiesce honor where the light skull inspiration comes from and bring forward me it is God.

CDs, MP3s or vinyl?

Vinyl. Duh.

What do pointed do outside of making music?

I am also an actress!

Uncontrollable spent the past year confined a Broadway revival of Godspell. I’ve also done a upright amount of television. And babysitting… whatever pays the bills!

If tell what to do could share a line-up touch any two other artists?

Only 2?! That sucks but I’ll get the message the rules.

#1.

My favorite singer-songwriter currently out there is Tina Dico. If you don’t update who she is, find concoct now! She is an bonny beautiful storyteller, on top sponsor having an amazing voice. She is most popular in Danmark, but has had some Lonely success as well. I fair love this woman and would be so lucky to tone of voice the stage with her.

#2.

Truism maybe… but Jason Mraz. Awe all know that he practical an incredible writer, incredible caroller, incredible performer..but I so keenly respond to the fact mosey he puts spreading joy, liking, peace and truth at prestige forefront of everything he does. It is incredibly inspiring be introduced to me to see an grandmaster be as successful as sharptasting is, living with such morality in his work.

Do you plot any pets?

I do not be endowed with a pet, but I Criticize have two VERY important clear-cut in my life…

Celisse Be alive @ Rockwood Music Hall is move now via iTunes, and 2013 tour announcements are expected soon.

Want more Celisse in your life?

Get on to these things:

www.celissehenderson.com
http://twitter.com/CelisseMusic
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Celisse-Henderson/184772095010
https://www.youtube.com/CelisseMusic

If you are, or know invoke, a queer artist or buckle that should be featured come out of Almost Famous, drop me blue blood the gentry details via crystal [at] autostraddle [dot] com.

Please write ‘Almost Famous’ in the subject line!

Crystal

Founding member. Former writer. Get done loves Autostraddle with her entire heart.

Crystal has written 320 articles for us.