The new single from the BrookLyn artist—off her forthcoming album My Blue House —is a folk hymnal that “explores the shared love, trauma, and passed-down lore of [her] maternal family line in Alabama”
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When I got ready to write this, I was surprised to remember that I don’t actually know Celeste Krishna. Because I really feel like I do.
I’m sure it’s at least partially due to the fact that, as a Blonde Records artist, she frequently pops up and performs on the weekly music news show that features a segment from Bands do BK,. So I guess, in that sense, it feels like we’re part of the same weird, awesome Internet family,
But I think it’s more than that.
It’s that Celeste makes you feel like you know her, whether you do or not. I don’t know whether it’s the Southern charm (it’s a thing y’all), the story of her ninth-grade dance parties (relatable) or something else entirely, but there’s a real authenticity there, something that makes you feel like you want to—and you could—connect with her. And that’s probably part of the reason that, as an artist, she’s so damn appealing.
Well, that and that voice. That definitely helps too.
And on that note, I’m thrilled to share the latest example of Celeste’s not-so-secret weapon in action. Introducing “Blue Family Carol”—the gorgeous new song from Celeste Krishna & Monarchs, and the fourth single off the artist’s forthcoming album My Blue House.
I delivered a first listen of the song on the radio last night, and now I’m excited to share it here—along with some words on the song from Celeste herself:
“‘Blue Family Carol ‘is a carol I wrote about my maternal family. My grandmother and her ancestors, immediate family and descendents lived in Tuscaloosa, Alabama – the place of my grandmother’s blue house that inspired [the] My Blue House album. Because of the prevalence of oak trees, Tuscaloosa’s nickname is ‘Druid City’ after ancient Celtic people who worshiped oaks. One time, I overheard my great-aunt Carol making a joke to her sister, my grandmother, that our family were ‘Blue Druids’ because of our love of the color blue and life spent in the blue house surrounded by oaks. I was working on this song the day Carol passed away and titled it a ‘carol’ in her memory to reflect the sing-along at the end. This song is my way to share love for my family and our family life.”
Check out “Blue Family Carol” (and the previous singles) now, and stay tuned for My Blue House, “a concept album inspired by Celeste’s childhood place of safety and imagination—her grandmother’s blue house in Tuscaloosa, Alabama”—out everywhere October 16th.
Also, if you have a little money to spare, consider donating to the Equal Justice Initiative, which works to end mass incarceration, excessive punishment, and racial inequity. Up until the record release, Celeste will be fundraising for the organization and will send you an exclusive “Come on, Come on, and Kooz me” koozie—a play on her single “Come On and Move Me“—if you make a donation of $12 or more via paypal.me/celestekrishna or Venmo (@Celeste-Krishna).
Good music + a good cause + a good koozie. Really, what more do you need?
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Buy Celeste’s music on Bandcamp, follow her at @celeste_krishna and add her songs to your Spotify playlists now1
Feature image provided by the artist.