Go to a Kali Celeste show and the first thing you'll notice is their lead singer. The skin tight black outfit is mostly responsible but once your other senses catch up to your eyes you'll notice something else...she's got a hell of a voice. Beyond that you'll find what took guitarist Brian Shealey just a moment to notice:
"This girl can write," says Brian. "If you listen to the story along with the catchiness, there's a lyrical depth there."
The band Kali Celeste partially shares a name with Kali, the Hindu goddess of destruction and rebirth. Kali also happens to be the nickname for their lead singer, Kahlilah. Beyond the femininity and affinity for darkness there's a connection to Kali's mythology that mirrors the band's music.
"There's a lot of power and purpose," says Kahlilah. "We try to use the same dynamic she represents to reach our fans musically. There's this goal to have a positive effect on people."
It makes sense when you listen to their music. The band brings a sound that is heavy and driving while still being melodic. Few rock bands in their right mind openly fess up to being even a little pop but Kali Celeste comes right out and says they've got a pop sensibility. It keeps their music accessible without losing any intensity... and it's sexy too.
Bassist Geoff Gill points out, "the dichotomy of light and dark, good and bad. You can't have one without the other."
The members of the band Kali, Geoff, Brian and Ken got together after extensive experience in the music business individually. Kali had been performing as a solo artist sharing the stage with members of Good Charlotte and Jimmie's Chicken Shack, to name a few, and was a backup dancer for KLF at one point. Ken, who first started playing drums in rock clubs at age 14, brings years of experience to the band and his presence is felt on every song with precision timing and a solid feel. Geoff played for a major label artist in LA but reunited with college friend Brian in the successful band Product until an abrupt ending shortly after sharing the stage with Helmet.
Barely a month later in February of '05, Brian and Geoff met Kahlilah when she contacted them to use their studio and engineering expertise for her solo work. "She came up and the chemistry was real," explains Brian. "She told us she wanted to put a band together and showed us a few songs and they were amazing- a little raw, but amazing."
Three weeks later they had a weekly gig at a Baltimore venue. Since then they've performed widely in the DC/Baltimore metro area, released a five song EP and garnered a sponsorship from March Forth Clothing. Their first single "Complicated" has received air play on 98 Rock and WHFS.Interview and bio by Rob Goszkowski
