Calli

Calli has been surrounded by music from an early age, her mother sang and toured with a reggae band back in the early 80’s and Calli even featured on recordings they made at the age of just 4. Having then gone on to tour with her mother around Europe in a bus she remembers the influences of ska, folk and reggae music set to a campfire back ground; something which clearly set her on the musical path.Back in England at the age of 7 Calli entered the schooling system and began singing “normal songs” as she recalls, such as hymns in assembly. At the age of 13 she took classical singing lessons allowing her to build up a steady and strong technique, this led her to sing in the Somerset County Youth Choir. Once again she was back on the road touring various cathedrals and churches across the country, this experience allowed Calli to gain a firm understanding of harmony something that would be used to full effect later in life. At 16 she went on to do performing arts at Strode College in Somerset where she could finally create her own musical style, at this same time she completed grade 7 of her singing exam.Her mother was not the only musical influence in her life, her brother worked closely with Roni Size and Break Beat Era as a technician, this is where most of Calli’s current influences were drawn from and she remembers going to every gig and being fully drawn in by the style and power of the music.Age 18 she left college with a distinction in a National Diploma in Performing Arts and Popular Music. Still fuelled by much of what was going on around her it was in 2002 that Calli moved to Cheltenham and began working with a group of drum and bass producers, DJ’s and Vocalists; this allowed her to express her capabilities to a fresh audience. Through these links Calli was introduced to Sam Lane, an aspiring producer, since that time the two have worked closely on a number of projects.In 2004 Calli moved to London to study a diploma in Popular Music Performance, specialising in vocals at Vocal-Tech, London College of Music. Again this enhanced her performance techniques, vocal techniques, Harmony, theory, and ear training. London also provided the platform for Calli to get work in various jobs including working as a backing vocalist for Wayne Latham from July 2004 until Jan 2005, gigging around London performing backing vocals for Wreasha Walton in the Shepherds Bush Empire and recording all backing vocals for musical ‘Return to the Forbidden Planet’ on stage at the Conquest Theatre.In between her busy schedule Calli auditioned to get onto the Popular Music Performance & Music Management Degree and was offered a place. Having passed the first and second years with a 2:1 Calli continued to work with Sam Lane writing vocals to an array of styles including Dub-step and Drum and Bass.Now working on her 3rd year of her degree Calli is focused on her workload and continues to record as part of the Farm Yardies pioneered by Sam Lane that includes two male MC’s, female vocalist (Calli), and two dj/producers. ‘The Farm Yardies’ have recently had their music heard numerous times on Huw Stephens BBC Radio 1 Radio show and has been featured on Notion Magazines “Cherry Picking” CD series.Calli has recently started to work on her own material using a looping pedal, exploring the freedom it gives to do everything vocally in terms of beat, bass, harmony and melody: taking new influences from artists such as Jamie Woon, and Bobby McFerrin.Calli’s energy and enthusiasm is infectious and her determination and purpose is fully translated through the music she creates. With focus clearly set on her musical career she continues to evolve and adapt with the musical landscape, taking onboard new styles such as Dub-step and applying her style to it. Calli is currently working towards a live showcase: watch this space. You should create your own MySpace Layouts like me by using nUCLEArcENTURy .COM’s MySpace Profile Editor !