Press Articles
Matthew Kahler opens for Callaghan Solo show at Eddie’s Attic in Decatur
May 31, 2012 | By Danielle Boise | Target Audience Magazine
Eddie’s Attic is really one of those venues where the fan and the artist both go to experience live music on a different level, because Eddie’s is truly a listening room at heart, which means there is no extraneous talking of any kind during the performance or chattering on cell phones. This is a place where people come to experience a truly one-of-a-kind, intimate performance. There are only about 200 people that can fit max in the space, which allows the ambiance to really wash over the crowd. Fans and artists alike, who are looking to feel a connection to each other, flock to Eddie’s and the artists, who come, do not disappoint. For more information on Eddie’s Attic or to see their upcoming shows, visit www.eddiesattic.com.
With twenty years of experience performing for crowds, native Georgian, Matthew Kahler opened for his friend, Callaghan, on the Eddie’s stage Friday night. With Kahler’s Taylor-esque sound radiating inside the listening room – using his soulful, passionate and heartfelt approach to telling a musical story, Kahler opened his set with “Spring Forward, Fall Back”, followed by introducing “As You Fall Down” with a chuckle in his voice, by saying “this song is about your everyday, garden variety murder – no big deal. It’s like an equation, just a little love story that’s a little messed up.” Kahler then covered two James Taylor’s songs, “Fire and Rain” and “The Frozen Man,” doing both of them justice before rounding out the night with “The T-Shirt Song”, “which is about a guy, who went UGA a long time ago and wanted to let everyone know he had had sex.” Kahler is light, fun and an interesting singer/songwriter who is worth seeing live. For more information in Matthew Kahler, visit www.matthewkahler.net.
In 2009 Callaghan reached out to Shawn Mullins, via MySpace, and said “Hey, I’d like to work with you.” Fast forward to 2010: Callaghan uproots her life, moves from the UK to Georgia to work with Mullins, who co-wrote (“The Only Thing Real”) and co-produce Callaghan’s debut album, Living in Full Colour, which was released on iTunes and Amazon on May 1st. Callaghan’s gorgeous voice, is unmistakably her own, but has been compared to other songstresses, in the likes of Sarah McLanchlan and Norah Jones – with her eclectic Americana/Pop sound, she stands out as a gem in the rough. “It’s been two years I’ve been in the US in July and I can’t believe how fast it flies by. I’ve toured a lot, been to like 30 states and played in 25 of them, but there is nothing like Georgia.” With her British accent she tries for a little Georgia twang, saying “this is my home state ya’ll.”
“Tonight is all about acoustic, intimate and getting to know one another better.” – Callaghan
Friday May 25th, Callaghan graced Eddie’s stage in the middle of her back to back to back performances over the Memorial Day Weekend, in support of her debut album, Living in Full Colour – with singing a mix of songs off of Living in Full Colour, covers and new songs. Callaghan is incredibly talented, as she came up onto the stage with her guitar and jokingly said, “I don’t know why I came here tonight” before launching into a cover of “Stuck in the Middle With You,” after which saying “I’m not calling any of you clowns or jokers, it’s just a way to start of the set” with a smile on her lips. Before going into her next song, “Sweet Surrender”, Callaghan mentioned that when she wrote the song as an f-u, and thought it was interesting that one reviewer thought it was more of a “woe is me” kind of song, but in the end she’s just grateful that someone was reviewing it.
Before going into her infamous, “Green Eyes” song, which is truly a love story kind of song, Callaghan had to tell the story behind it. “It was my one year anniversary last May and for my lovely husband, Steve, I wrote a song for him called “Blue Eyes.” I got half way through it, when I realized that he had green eyes. I changed the words and title to “Green Eyes.” Phew, I think I got away with it, because we just had our second anniversary.”
Callaghan brought Kahler back up on stage to perform a song that they wrote together. “We had known each other for a while and just started writing together. The first time we wrote together, we were not sure what to write. It’s really a daunting process, like exposing your diary to another person.” In the end it “really seemed like a therapy session.” The duo sang a song that they hardly perform in public together, “What I’ve Done To You,” which was inspired by one of those real life television episodes, where a woman was jailed for killing her husband. When they were done they did a cover of Randy Newman’s “Feels Like Home.”
After Kahler left the stage, Callaghan followed up her next song with the enchanting “The Only Real Thing”, which Shawn Mullins co-wrote. Next, was the “Best Year” which is a song about taking chances, “you only live once”, so it’s about grasping onto life and just living it! “The Edge of Love,” is the perfect rainy day kind of song where you just percolate on life.
The real treat of the night was when Callaghan sat down at the keyboard and covered “Somewhere Over The Rainbow.” Callaghan’s angelic voice was so delicate, as if it would almost break and shatter, but there was strength in her voice as it filled Eddie’s stage with a genuine rendition of a song, that granted that has been done over and over again, but her version was simple, stark and elegant.
Callaghan also performed “To Be Loved By You” and a song she wrote for her nephew, Noah, that currently doesn’t have a title, but she is referring to it as “Noah’s Song” for now. Callaghan rounded out the night by covering Shawn Mullin’s “Something To Believe,” in the middle of the song she forgot the words “Sorry Shawn, I got the words to your song wrong” as she called out to the crowd, asking them if they knew the last verse before launching into it with a smile and laugh.
Callaghan’s songs pulls at the listener’s heartstrings as she opens herself up and shares with her audience love, loss, heartbreak and everything in between – she truly is a talented performer, who is also grounded in the moment. She has the tendency to close her eyes a lot when she performs, getting swept up in the moment and completely lost in it, as she belts out her originals and cover songs – only to realize part way through the song that she is performing in front of an audience. Then she opens her eyes with an expression of awe, as she gazes upon the audience with surprise that others are just as enthralled with her, as she is with them.
It’s a treat to be able to experience this kind of talent live. Callaghan out on tour now – if you get a chance, Callaghan is a must see. For more information on Callaghan and to see where she will be performing next, visit www.callaghansongs.com or you can find her on Facebook.
"Rant N Roll" CD Review: Life in Full Colour
May 30, 2012 | By Mike Greenblatt | The Aquarian Weekly
Don’t tell my wife but I have a new girlfriend. Life In Full Colour by Callaghan (self-released, callaghansongs.com) proves that this Brit has been listening to her Joni Mitchell, Bonnie Raitt and Sheryl Crow records. Add her impertinent impish sexiness, and a hint of her adorable British accent and I’m smitten, man. Girl can write. Girl can sing. Girl can play piano. Girl has captured my heart. Callaghan, oh Callaghan, sing me back home.
"The World According To Wawrzyniak" CD Review: Life in Full Colour
May 23, 2012 | By Joe Wawrzyniak | JerseyBeat.com
Blessed with a beautifully sweet and soothing voice, a strong knack for pretty and harmonic melodies, and a firm grasp of smart and thoughtful songwriting, UK-bred singer/songwriter Callaghan comes through with a terrifically radiant and engaging winner on her sunny and appealing country pop debut album. Covering life’s various ups and downs with a keen eye and an utterly charming down to earth positive attitude, Callaghan cuts through the nonsense and gets right to the heart of the matter with refreshing clarity and directness. The delicately tuneful arrangements qualify as another sterling attribute, with the gentle guitar riffs, subdued drums, and understated bass all creating a sound that’s fragile and enchanting in equal measure. Best of all, a lovely warmth and purity of spirit shines throughout. A wonderful album.
CD Review: Life in Full Colour
May 21, 2012 | By Stewart Oskenhorn | The Aspen Times, Aspen CO
Produced by Shawn Mullins.
Georgina Callaghan, a 29-year-old singer who goes by Callaghan, is from Boston — Boston, Lincolnshire, that is. (Dead giveaway: how she spells “colour.”) But she doesn't sound like she's from Massachusetts or the U.K. “Life in Full Colour,” her debut, has the full Nashville influence — clean, clear pop that, if you listen closely, you can detect hints of country in there somewhere. Callaghan, who has lived in Atlanta the last few years, has a bright, beautiful voice, and her songwriting is solid. “Life in Full Colour” puts her akin to Shawn Colvin's poppier side. Meaning loads of mainstream hit potential.
If I liked country-pop, I'd like this a lot. As it is, I recommend Callaghan for tween girls hooked on Taylor Swift, and looking for the logical next step forward.
Feature Interview
May 21, 2012 | By Hailey Sager | www.musiqtone.com
I'm not sure if I would have the courage to leave everything and everyone I know behind and move across the world the way singer/song-writer, but Callaghan did. She took a risk and moved across the world to make her debut album with one of her inspirations. She shared her story with me for Musiqtone, about how she made that tough decision, if she would do it again, and what's to come with her debut album.
Hailey Sager: Will you please introduce yourself and tell us more about you?
Callaghan: Oh sure, yeah, my name's Callaghan and I came over to the States in 2010. Originally I'm from the UK, from Lincolnshire, which is about a hundred miles north of London. And I've been doing music pretty much all of my life, but more of a serious career kind of thing since I was about sixteen. I got in touch with Shawn Mullins through Myspace in 2009, I was a big big fan of his. I knew that he had produced a lot of material. So I emailed him not really thinking that he would see the email, but I thought, 'oh what the hell, I'll give it a shot.' And he wrote back and said, that he loved my music and wanted to work together. So I ended up moving over here [to Atlanta, Georgia] and recorded my album with him, which has just come out on May 1st. Now, I'm touring all over the US in support of the album and having a great time.
HS: You reached out to one of your inspirations, Shawn Mullins to work with. What was the story behind that? Did it work out right away or did it take time for him to decide to work with you?
Callaghan: It was pretty instant I think. From sending the email it took about two weeks to get a reply, but from the moment that we actually connected, he was really set on wanting to work together. Obviously it was kind of difficult logistically because I still lived over in London, at the time. And I was kind of unsure if I wanted to leave everything behind and go and take this massive risk and leave my job, friends and family and all of that. So I came over for a couple of weeks in 2009, and I met him and we recorded three songs together as kind of a trial to see how we worked together. I just felt that he instantly got what I was doing and his style of production fit my songs perfectly. He really helped bring kind of my vision of what I wanted my first album to be. He really helped bring that to life. It's been fantastic getting to work with him and also getting to tour with him. I've learned a lot, definitely over the last couple of years.
HS: That's amazing that you were able to work with your inspiration like that.
Callaghan: Yeah, yeah, I mean it's fantastic! Sometimes I look back and think, 'I've just recorded an album with someone that I've listened to for the last fifteen years,’ yeah it's kind of crazy.
HS: Who are some of your other inspirations that you would love to work with and would you go about asking them the same way?
Callaghan: [Laughs] I would love to, I guess one of my biggest inspirations is Elton John. I've been a huge Elton John fan for a long time. I taught myself the piano when I was about thirteen or fourteen and I did it from an Elton John book. I learned a lot of his songs and I would just play them back by ear. I've been listening to him for ages, but I don't know if I would be as lucky the second time around, messing someone again. But, I know that he has a house in Atlanta, so you never know maybe one day I'll just bump into him at a Starbucks or something.
HS: Right, anything can happen!
HS: You packed up and moved to America from England, how did you make the decision to do so and leave everything behind?
Callaghan: Well it wasn't an easy one, definitely the friends and family thing is the most difficult thing. But it was too much of an opportunity to pass up. I had this amazing producer that wanted to help me make my album. And I knew that the American music scene was more suited to this type of music that I do well anyway, rather than the British market. It was something that I was thinking about for a while. That I wanted to come over here and just explore and play music over here. When the whole plans started coming together and I could come over here to play shows and record with Shawn Mullins, I mean I was like it would be crazy to pass that up. I was like 'you only live once, so you have to grab these things when they're available.
HS: Do you plan on going back to England anytime soon to tour or do you plan on sticking it out in America for a longer period of time after your new tour.
Callaghan: I would like to go back to the UK and do some more touring at some point, but at the moment because this country is so vast, it's keeping me very busy touring over here. So I don't want to stretch myself too thin hopping between the two countries. So at the moment, I am really enjoying touring around a lot and I've done about four tours with Shawn and now I've started touring with other people as well like Steve Forbert and Matthew Sweet and Griffin House. You know, I'm enjoying going back to the same places and seeing audiences build and that kind of thing. So, I still feel like I have a lot to do here. I'm just enjoying getting on the road and getting to play for people.
HS: Yeah, I've heard that Texas is three times the size of the UK and that's just one American state so you definitely have a lot to do here.
Callaghan: Yeah, exactly! It's amazing the scale of it. When you've lived in the UK all of your life and something is two hours away you think 'oh that's so far. And then you come here and one of the journeys of the tour with Shawn last year, we had to drive from New Jersey back to Atlanta in one go and it was 936 miles. So I googled what the end to end of the UK was and it was 930 miles. And I was thinking, no one in their right mind would drive that distance in one day. But, I'm getting use to it.
HS: You've been in America for a few years now, is there anything you still don't understand about our culture compared to British culture?
Callaghan: Hmm I can't think of anything, I guess it's because we get so much of American TV and American culture over to the UK. So there's a lot of stuff that we're familiar with. I guess the food has taken a little while to get use to. Like the food in the south, I've eaten a lot of grits. It took me a while to learn to like them. But no I've had a really great welcome from everybody. Everyone I've met has been really fantastic and encouraging of what I'm trying to do. So yeah they make me feel very welcome over here and I'm very appreciative.
HS: Your hit song, Best Year, is an inspiring song for all of us to just live our lives to the fullest. What has been your best year thus far? And why was it, is it your best year?
Callaghan: Well I guess last year, well I don't know actually. It's difficult, because I feel like I don't want to already have had my best year. I keep thinking that last year and making the album and getting to tour was just phenomenal because I've never done it before on that kind of scale and I had so many new experiences last year. That's going to be a very difficult year to top. But I'm confident that my absolute best year, I don't know what it would be but I'm confident that it is still to come because there is still so much more that I want to do like more touring and seeing more people coming out to the shows. I'm hoping that the word is spreading with people coming out and going home and telling their friends to come to shows. So I think there is still plenty to come.
HS: Tell us about Life in Full Colour, did you have the songs written before the move or did you write some of them through your journey?
Callaghan: It's a mixture of both. I mean some of them are quite old songs on there and some of them were written last minute right before the album was put together. I wanted it to be kind of a balanced album of up tempo songs and slow songs and happy and sad. Hopefully when someone listens to those songs they get taken on a journey through those ups and downs and different emotions that you would experience in life. So there were new songs I wrote, like Best Year and um just doing this whole thing and packing up and coming over here takes such a big risk. It definitely opened my eyes to what's possible when you take a chance like that and go after one of your dreams. But there was definitely a mixture of different songs and a couple of songs that I wrote with Shawn on there as well.
HS: What is your favorite song to play live?
Callaghan: Best Year is a really fun song to play live. It has such a good energy and the audience really gets into it. A lot of the time people come up to me after the show and tell me about something that they've been putting off or wondering what they should do and deciding that they're actually going to do it. Like the other day someone emailed me and said that they are going to go around the country on their motorbike and just travel the country for a year. And I thought cool, why not! I kept hearing all of these things people were telling me so I set up this thing on my Facebook page where people can tell me what their best year would be and we've had a lot of really good responses to that.
HS: Yeah, I saw some of your responses to that it is really cool!
Callaghan: Yeah, a lot of people want to travel I think.
HS: What is your favorite city to play now that you have a few tours under your belt?
Callaghan: There are a lot of favorites for different reasons. There's a place in Illinois. Evanston, Illinois has a venue called Space, it has fantastic sound and it has some of the best pizza I've eaten as well. So it's not always just the music really but the whole experience, the people that work there really love me as well. But I mean there's loads of them. But obviously in Atlanta my home venue is Eddie's Attic. That was where I got my first show when I moved here. Eddie Owen has always been a supporter of mine. I'm doing a couple of shows actually on Memorial Day weekend. On the 25th at Eddies Attic and then with Shawn's full band on the 26th in Duluth, Georgia at a new venue called Red Clay Theatre! But yeah, I'm looking forward to that and I always love discovering new venues and playing new places and meeting the people that run them as well.
HS: Justin Bieber got his start at Eddie's Attic when he first started playing in America as well, so you never know where it could lead you.
Callaghan: Yeah it's amazing to look back and see all of the people that have played there, like John Mayer, and obviously Shawn Mullins, and I hope that that thing continues.
HS: If you could play one venue in the entire world where would it be? And who else would be on the bill with you?
Callaghan: I would really love to try, I don't know which one it would be but, one of those huge big stadium shows. I went to O2 Arena in London a couple of years ago. I don't know how many people it holds, I think like 50,000 or something like that. But with the costume changes and the dancers and the lights and all of that. I think it would be so much fun. Yes, I would love to try that someday! It's going to take me a little while to build up my audience, but why not! I think it would be awesome. I think I would have Coldplay on the bill and maybe Lady Gaga, that would be an interesting mix.
HS: Is there anything else you would like to say to your fans before we go?
Callaghan: They can get my single Best Year for free on my website which is www.Callaghansongs.com and look out, I'm doing loads of touring in the next couple of weeks. Philadelphia, DC, New York and up in Portland and Seattle as well. So, keep an eye on my Facebook page for all of the tour dates.
HS: Thank you for taking the time out to speak with us at Musiqtone!
Callaghan: No, thank you! And thanks for the lovely review of my album as well.
May 31, 2012 | By Danielle Boise | Target Audience Magazine
Eddie’s Attic is really one of those venues where the fan and the artist both go to experience live music on a different level, because Eddie’s is truly a listening room at heart, which means there is no extraneous talking of any kind during the performance or chattering on cell phones. This is a place where people come to experience a truly one-of-a-kind, intimate performance. There are only about 200 people that can fit max in the space, which allows the ambiance to really wash over the crowd. Fans and artists alike, who are looking to feel a connection to each other, flock to Eddie’s and the artists, who come, do not disappoint. For more information on Eddie’s Attic or to see their upcoming shows, visit www.eddiesattic.com.
With twenty years of experience performing for crowds, native Georgian, Matthew Kahler opened for his friend, Callaghan, on the Eddie’s stage Friday night. With Kahler’s Taylor-esque sound radiating inside the listening room – using his soulful, passionate and heartfelt approach to telling a musical story, Kahler opened his set with “Spring Forward, Fall Back”, followed by introducing “As You Fall Down” with a chuckle in his voice, by saying “this song is about your everyday, garden variety murder – no big deal. It’s like an equation, just a little love story that’s a little messed up.” Kahler then covered two James Taylor’s songs, “Fire and Rain” and “The Frozen Man,” doing both of them justice before rounding out the night with “The T-Shirt Song”, “which is about a guy, who went UGA a long time ago and wanted to let everyone know he had had sex.” Kahler is light, fun and an interesting singer/songwriter who is worth seeing live. For more information in Matthew Kahler, visit www.matthewkahler.net.
In 2009 Callaghan reached out to Shawn Mullins, via MySpace, and said “Hey, I’d like to work with you.” Fast forward to 2010: Callaghan uproots her life, moves from the UK to Georgia to work with Mullins, who co-wrote (“The Only Thing Real”) and co-produce Callaghan’s debut album, Living in Full Colour, which was released on iTunes and Amazon on May 1st. Callaghan’s gorgeous voice, is unmistakably her own, but has been compared to other songstresses, in the likes of Sarah McLanchlan and Norah Jones – with her eclectic Americana/Pop sound, she stands out as a gem in the rough. “It’s been two years I’ve been in the US in July and I can’t believe how fast it flies by. I’ve toured a lot, been to like 30 states and played in 25 of them, but there is nothing like Georgia.” With her British accent she tries for a little Georgia twang, saying “this is my home state ya’ll.”
“Tonight is all about acoustic, intimate and getting to know one another better.” – Callaghan
Friday May 25th, Callaghan graced Eddie’s stage in the middle of her back to back to back performances over the Memorial Day Weekend, in support of her debut album, Living in Full Colour – with singing a mix of songs off of Living in Full Colour, covers and new songs. Callaghan is incredibly talented, as she came up onto the stage with her guitar and jokingly said, “I don’t know why I came here tonight” before launching into a cover of “Stuck in the Middle With You,” after which saying “I’m not calling any of you clowns or jokers, it’s just a way to start of the set” with a smile on her lips. Before going into her next song, “Sweet Surrender”, Callaghan mentioned that when she wrote the song as an f-u, and thought it was interesting that one reviewer thought it was more of a “woe is me” kind of song, but in the end she’s just grateful that someone was reviewing it.
Before going into her infamous, “Green Eyes” song, which is truly a love story kind of song, Callaghan had to tell the story behind it. “It was my one year anniversary last May and for my lovely husband, Steve, I wrote a song for him called “Blue Eyes.” I got half way through it, when I realized that he had green eyes. I changed the words and title to “Green Eyes.” Phew, I think I got away with it, because we just had our second anniversary.”
Callaghan brought Kahler back up on stage to perform a song that they wrote together. “We had known each other for a while and just started writing together. The first time we wrote together, we were not sure what to write. It’s really a daunting process, like exposing your diary to another person.” In the end it “really seemed like a therapy session.” The duo sang a song that they hardly perform in public together, “What I’ve Done To You,” which was inspired by one of those real life television episodes, where a woman was jailed for killing her husband. When they were done they did a cover of Randy Newman’s “Feels Like Home.”
After Kahler left the stage, Callaghan followed up her next song with the enchanting “The Only Real Thing”, which Shawn Mullins co-wrote. Next, was the “Best Year” which is a song about taking chances, “you only live once”, so it’s about grasping onto life and just living it! “The Edge of Love,” is the perfect rainy day kind of song where you just percolate on life.
The real treat of the night was when Callaghan sat down at the keyboard and covered “Somewhere Over The Rainbow.” Callaghan’s angelic voice was so delicate, as if it would almost break and shatter, but there was strength in her voice as it filled Eddie’s stage with a genuine rendition of a song, that granted that has been done over and over again, but her version was simple, stark and elegant.
Callaghan also performed “To Be Loved By You” and a song she wrote for her nephew, Noah, that currently doesn’t have a title, but she is referring to it as “Noah’s Song” for now. Callaghan rounded out the night by covering Shawn Mullin’s “Something To Believe,” in the middle of the song she forgot the words “Sorry Shawn, I got the words to your song wrong” as she called out to the crowd, asking them if they knew the last verse before launching into it with a smile and laugh.
Callaghan’s songs pulls at the listener’s heartstrings as she opens herself up and shares with her audience love, loss, heartbreak and everything in between – she truly is a talented performer, who is also grounded in the moment. She has the tendency to close her eyes a lot when she performs, getting swept up in the moment and completely lost in it, as she belts out her originals and cover songs – only to realize part way through the song that she is performing in front of an audience. Then she opens her eyes with an expression of awe, as she gazes upon the audience with surprise that others are just as enthralled with her, as she is with them.
It’s a treat to be able to experience this kind of talent live. Callaghan out on tour now – if you get a chance, Callaghan is a must see. For more information on Callaghan and to see where she will be performing next, visit www.callaghansongs.com or you can find her on Facebook.
"Rant N Roll" CD Review: Life in Full Colour
May 30, 2012 | By Mike Greenblatt | The Aquarian Weekly
Don’t tell my wife but I have a new girlfriend. Life In Full Colour by Callaghan (self-released, callaghansongs.com) proves that this Brit has been listening to her Joni Mitchell, Bonnie Raitt and Sheryl Crow records. Add her impertinent impish sexiness, and a hint of her adorable British accent and I’m smitten, man. Girl can write. Girl can sing. Girl can play piano. Girl has captured my heart. Callaghan, oh Callaghan, sing me back home.
"The World According To Wawrzyniak" CD Review: Life in Full Colour
May 23, 2012 | By Joe Wawrzyniak | JerseyBeat.com
Blessed with a beautifully sweet and soothing voice, a strong knack for pretty and harmonic melodies, and a firm grasp of smart and thoughtful songwriting, UK-bred singer/songwriter Callaghan comes through with a terrifically radiant and engaging winner on her sunny and appealing country pop debut album. Covering life’s various ups and downs with a keen eye and an utterly charming down to earth positive attitude, Callaghan cuts through the nonsense and gets right to the heart of the matter with refreshing clarity and directness. The delicately tuneful arrangements qualify as another sterling attribute, with the gentle guitar riffs, subdued drums, and understated bass all creating a sound that’s fragile and enchanting in equal measure. Best of all, a lovely warmth and purity of spirit shines throughout. A wonderful album.
CD Review: Life in Full Colour
May 21, 2012 | By Stewart Oskenhorn | The Aspen Times, Aspen CO
Produced by Shawn Mullins.
Georgina Callaghan, a 29-year-old singer who goes by Callaghan, is from Boston — Boston, Lincolnshire, that is. (Dead giveaway: how she spells “colour.”) But she doesn't sound like she's from Massachusetts or the U.K. “Life in Full Colour,” her debut, has the full Nashville influence — clean, clear pop that, if you listen closely, you can detect hints of country in there somewhere. Callaghan, who has lived in Atlanta the last few years, has a bright, beautiful voice, and her songwriting is solid. “Life in Full Colour” puts her akin to Shawn Colvin's poppier side. Meaning loads of mainstream hit potential.
If I liked country-pop, I'd like this a lot. As it is, I recommend Callaghan for tween girls hooked on Taylor Swift, and looking for the logical next step forward.
Feature Interview
May 21, 2012 | By Hailey Sager | www.musiqtone.com
I'm not sure if I would have the courage to leave everything and everyone I know behind and move across the world the way singer/song-writer, but Callaghan did. She took a risk and moved across the world to make her debut album with one of her inspirations. She shared her story with me for Musiqtone, about how she made that tough decision, if she would do it again, and what's to come with her debut album.
Hailey Sager: Will you please introduce yourself and tell us more about you?
Callaghan: Oh sure, yeah, my name's Callaghan and I came over to the States in 2010. Originally I'm from the UK, from Lincolnshire, which is about a hundred miles north of London. And I've been doing music pretty much all of my life, but more of a serious career kind of thing since I was about sixteen. I got in touch with Shawn Mullins through Myspace in 2009, I was a big big fan of his. I knew that he had produced a lot of material. So I emailed him not really thinking that he would see the email, but I thought, 'oh what the hell, I'll give it a shot.' And he wrote back and said, that he loved my music and wanted to work together. So I ended up moving over here [to Atlanta, Georgia] and recorded my album with him, which has just come out on May 1st. Now, I'm touring all over the US in support of the album and having a great time.
HS: You reached out to one of your inspirations, Shawn Mullins to work with. What was the story behind that? Did it work out right away or did it take time for him to decide to work with you?
Callaghan: It was pretty instant I think. From sending the email it took about two weeks to get a reply, but from the moment that we actually connected, he was really set on wanting to work together. Obviously it was kind of difficult logistically because I still lived over in London, at the time. And I was kind of unsure if I wanted to leave everything behind and go and take this massive risk and leave my job, friends and family and all of that. So I came over for a couple of weeks in 2009, and I met him and we recorded three songs together as kind of a trial to see how we worked together. I just felt that he instantly got what I was doing and his style of production fit my songs perfectly. He really helped bring kind of my vision of what I wanted my first album to be. He really helped bring that to life. It's been fantastic getting to work with him and also getting to tour with him. I've learned a lot, definitely over the last couple of years.
HS: That's amazing that you were able to work with your inspiration like that.
Callaghan: Yeah, yeah, I mean it's fantastic! Sometimes I look back and think, 'I've just recorded an album with someone that I've listened to for the last fifteen years,’ yeah it's kind of crazy.
HS: Who are some of your other inspirations that you would love to work with and would you go about asking them the same way?
Callaghan: [Laughs] I would love to, I guess one of my biggest inspirations is Elton John. I've been a huge Elton John fan for a long time. I taught myself the piano when I was about thirteen or fourteen and I did it from an Elton John book. I learned a lot of his songs and I would just play them back by ear. I've been listening to him for ages, but I don't know if I would be as lucky the second time around, messing someone again. But, I know that he has a house in Atlanta, so you never know maybe one day I'll just bump into him at a Starbucks or something.
HS: Right, anything can happen!
HS: You packed up and moved to America from England, how did you make the decision to do so and leave everything behind?
Callaghan: Well it wasn't an easy one, definitely the friends and family thing is the most difficult thing. But it was too much of an opportunity to pass up. I had this amazing producer that wanted to help me make my album. And I knew that the American music scene was more suited to this type of music that I do well anyway, rather than the British market. It was something that I was thinking about for a while. That I wanted to come over here and just explore and play music over here. When the whole plans started coming together and I could come over here to play shows and record with Shawn Mullins, I mean I was like it would be crazy to pass that up. I was like 'you only live once, so you have to grab these things when they're available.
HS: Do you plan on going back to England anytime soon to tour or do you plan on sticking it out in America for a longer period of time after your new tour.
Callaghan: I would like to go back to the UK and do some more touring at some point, but at the moment because this country is so vast, it's keeping me very busy touring over here. So I don't want to stretch myself too thin hopping between the two countries. So at the moment, I am really enjoying touring around a lot and I've done about four tours with Shawn and now I've started touring with other people as well like Steve Forbert and Matthew Sweet and Griffin House. You know, I'm enjoying going back to the same places and seeing audiences build and that kind of thing. So, I still feel like I have a lot to do here. I'm just enjoying getting on the road and getting to play for people.
HS: Yeah, I've heard that Texas is three times the size of the UK and that's just one American state so you definitely have a lot to do here.
Callaghan: Yeah, exactly! It's amazing the scale of it. When you've lived in the UK all of your life and something is two hours away you think 'oh that's so far. And then you come here and one of the journeys of the tour with Shawn last year, we had to drive from New Jersey back to Atlanta in one go and it was 936 miles. So I googled what the end to end of the UK was and it was 930 miles. And I was thinking, no one in their right mind would drive that distance in one day. But, I'm getting use to it.
HS: You've been in America for a few years now, is there anything you still don't understand about our culture compared to British culture?
Callaghan: Hmm I can't think of anything, I guess it's because we get so much of American TV and American culture over to the UK. So there's a lot of stuff that we're familiar with. I guess the food has taken a little while to get use to. Like the food in the south, I've eaten a lot of grits. It took me a while to learn to like them. But no I've had a really great welcome from everybody. Everyone I've met has been really fantastic and encouraging of what I'm trying to do. So yeah they make me feel very welcome over here and I'm very appreciative.
HS: Your hit song, Best Year, is an inspiring song for all of us to just live our lives to the fullest. What has been your best year thus far? And why was it, is it your best year?
Callaghan: Well I guess last year, well I don't know actually. It's difficult, because I feel like I don't want to already have had my best year. I keep thinking that last year and making the album and getting to tour was just phenomenal because I've never done it before on that kind of scale and I had so many new experiences last year. That's going to be a very difficult year to top. But I'm confident that my absolute best year, I don't know what it would be but I'm confident that it is still to come because there is still so much more that I want to do like more touring and seeing more people coming out to the shows. I'm hoping that the word is spreading with people coming out and going home and telling their friends to come to shows. So I think there is still plenty to come.
HS: Tell us about Life in Full Colour, did you have the songs written before the move or did you write some of them through your journey?
Callaghan: It's a mixture of both. I mean some of them are quite old songs on there and some of them were written last minute right before the album was put together. I wanted it to be kind of a balanced album of up tempo songs and slow songs and happy and sad. Hopefully when someone listens to those songs they get taken on a journey through those ups and downs and different emotions that you would experience in life. So there were new songs I wrote, like Best Year and um just doing this whole thing and packing up and coming over here takes such a big risk. It definitely opened my eyes to what's possible when you take a chance like that and go after one of your dreams. But there was definitely a mixture of different songs and a couple of songs that I wrote with Shawn on there as well.
HS: What is your favorite song to play live?
Callaghan: Best Year is a really fun song to play live. It has such a good energy and the audience really gets into it. A lot of the time people come up to me after the show and tell me about something that they've been putting off or wondering what they should do and deciding that they're actually going to do it. Like the other day someone emailed me and said that they are going to go around the country on their motorbike and just travel the country for a year. And I thought cool, why not! I kept hearing all of these things people were telling me so I set up this thing on my Facebook page where people can tell me what their best year would be and we've had a lot of really good responses to that.
HS: Yeah, I saw some of your responses to that it is really cool!
Callaghan: Yeah, a lot of people want to travel I think.
HS: What is your favorite city to play now that you have a few tours under your belt?
Callaghan: There are a lot of favorites for different reasons. There's a place in Illinois. Evanston, Illinois has a venue called Space, it has fantastic sound and it has some of the best pizza I've eaten as well. So it's not always just the music really but the whole experience, the people that work there really love me as well. But I mean there's loads of them. But obviously in Atlanta my home venue is Eddie's Attic. That was where I got my first show when I moved here. Eddie Owen has always been a supporter of mine. I'm doing a couple of shows actually on Memorial Day weekend. On the 25th at Eddies Attic and then with Shawn's full band on the 26th in Duluth, Georgia at a new venue called Red Clay Theatre! But yeah, I'm looking forward to that and I always love discovering new venues and playing new places and meeting the people that run them as well.
HS: Justin Bieber got his start at Eddie's Attic when he first started playing in America as well, so you never know where it could lead you.
Callaghan: Yeah it's amazing to look back and see all of the people that have played there, like John Mayer, and obviously Shawn Mullins, and I hope that that thing continues.
HS: If you could play one venue in the entire world where would it be? And who else would be on the bill with you?
Callaghan: I would really love to try, I don't know which one it would be but, one of those huge big stadium shows. I went to O2 Arena in London a couple of years ago. I don't know how many people it holds, I think like 50,000 or something like that. But with the costume changes and the dancers and the lights and all of that. I think it would be so much fun. Yes, I would love to try that someday! It's going to take me a little while to build up my audience, but why not! I think it would be awesome. I think I would have Coldplay on the bill and maybe Lady Gaga, that would be an interesting mix.
HS: Is there anything else you would like to say to your fans before we go?
Callaghan: They can get my single Best Year for free on my website which is www.Callaghansongs.com and look out, I'm doing loads of touring in the next couple of weeks. Philadelphia, DC, New York and up in Portland and Seattle as well. So, keep an eye on my Facebook page for all of the tour dates.
HS: Thank you for taking the time out to speak with us at Musiqtone!
Callaghan: No, thank you! And thanks for the lovely review of my album as well.
Callaghan to perform at Music City Roots on June 13
May 16, 2012 | By Nashville Music Industry Examiner | www.examiner.com
Singer/songwriter Callaghan will perform at Music City Roots on June 13 to promote her just-released debut, Life in Full Colour.
Callaghan began her career in London, but in 2009 she contacted Shawn Mullins through MySpace, and the strength of her material convinced the Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter and producer that the pair should collaborate. Callaghan left London and moved to Atlanta, where Mullins is a longtime fixture in the musical scene.
“When I got on that plane from London to Atlanta, I didn't know what to expect, but the welcome and the reaction to my music has been amazing," Callaghan said in a press release Tuesday. "I knew that Shawn Mullins was the right producer, and working in the studio with such a meticulous and gifted artist has been a real education for me as a musician and a songwriter.
"The songs on Life in Full Colour reflect the moments all of us experience in our lives; from the joy of being in love to the mess of falling out of love, from the loneliness of bereavement to the happiness of meeting the right person at the right time."
Mullins both produced and played on Life in Full Colour, and Callaghan has opened for him on many shows throughout the United States. “Callaghan is a truly amazing artist. It’s been a long time since I’ve heard a voice as strong and as true as hers," he said. "It just shines. Working with her in the studio was incredible; I felt an immediate connection to her music. She’s a remarkably strong pop melodist – her sense of melody is timeless and there is a classic quality to her songs.”
Fans can expect a cross-section of songs from Life in Full Colour when Callaghan performs at Music City Roots, especially "Best Year," her debut single. The song was inspired by her decision to move to America to pursue a recording career.
“There have been all kinds of challenges, but the whole experience has been beyond anything I could have ever imagined," she said. "I could not have asked for more; 2011 was such a fantastic year. I'm just going to keep singing that song every single year, because next year's going to be even better.”
‘Life In Full Colour,’ Callaghan (Green Town Music)
May 10, 2012 | By Sun Herald | www.sunherald.com
This May 1 CD produced by Shawn Mullins (“Lullaby”) and available in all formats is the debut full-length U.S. release for attractive U.K.-born, Atlanta-based singer/songwriter Callaghan. She plays both keyboards and guitar, and wrote or co-wrote all of the songs. Backing musicians include Mullins/acoustic guitar, David Causey/electric guitar, Tom “Panda” Ryan/bassist on most songs, Gerry Hansen/drums and percussion and cool vocal harmonies by Callaghan, Mullins and Ryan.
The first two songs show the variety of music on this overtly romantic album. “Best Year” is acoustic-based with lovely vocals and chimes. “To Be Loved By You” steers fairly close to power-pop waters. Other highlights include the nifty “It Was Meant to Be,” the gorgeous “Sweet Surrender” and the profound “The Only Thing Real.”
Hopefully, Callaghan will appear somewhere closer than Atlanta soon.
Performing Songwriter Callaghan releases Life in Full Colour
May 8, 2012 | By Huffington Post | www.huffingtonpost.com
It's easy to fall for Callaghan, especially when you see her in action on her "Best Year" video. She's one of those performers whose genuine sweetness is transparent in her voice and it shines through her writing. If you're feeling low and you need a lift, watch and listen. You'll feel like you've got a new pal. Life In Full Colour is joyful listening.
Ruth Gerson: What was the writing process for Life in Full Colour? Are these songs throughout a specific time period of your life? Were there any writing collaborations?
Callaghan: Because Life in Full Colour was my first full-length album I had a lot of songs to choose from. We ended up with a short list of about 40 songs that then got reduced down to the final 12. The tracks range from very new to songs I wrote several years ago, on my own or as co-writes. It was a really fun process getting to choose the songs for the album -- I wanted the finished record to cover a range of different emotions and tempos so it would take the listener on a journey, similar to the ups and downs everyone experiences in life.
RG: Were there any challenges in recording songs from different times in your life and finding a way for them to all come together on one record?
C: Some of the songs were easier to record than others, and sometimes the most challenging thing is knowing what to leave out. It's tempting in the studio to keep adding more and more instruments into the mix but sometimes less is definitely more! I learnt a lot about the recording process through working with Shawn Mullins on the album. He is such a talented producer and really helped bring my songs to life.
RG: How has it been leaving your home and making new roots in the U.S.? What do you miss most and what do you like the most about the change?
C: Sometimes it feels like yesterday since moving to the U.S. I can't believe how quickly almost two years have flown by, probably because I have been so busy! It has been an amazing experience getting to do music full time and record my album and tour the country. I have met such fantastic people along the way and have really been overwhelmed with the response I have had. I have been to about 30 states so far, and I'm enjoying the adventure of discovering new places. There's a really supportive and welcoming atmosphere here, and a real appetite for live music.
Being apart from friends and family in the UK certainly never gets any easier and that's the one thing I really miss from home. Luckily I don't really miss British food because I discovered you can get quite a few British items in the "ethnic food" aisle of supermarkets, which I think is hilarious!
RG: Was your family musical or did you come to it on your own? Was it something you always wanted to do?
C: I have two older sisters and my parents always encouraged all of us when it came to music and learning new instruments. There was always music going on somewhere in the house. I have been singing for as long as I can remember, I wrote my first song when I was 14 and have never stopped since that point. I can't imagine spending my life doing anything other than music, and I'm really grateful that I'm able to make my living from something I love.
RG: What were some of your favorite and most influential records growing up? Do you feel they are reflected in your sound?
C: One of the first records I remember listening to a lot was Shawn Mullins' album Soul's Core, which I still listen to a lot now.
I also remember my parents' records of Elton John, James Taylor and Johnny Cash. I was really drawn to lyrics and stories and would always read the words on the back of the record as I was listening to the songs. As I got older I became more interested in pop music and the Brit-Pop bands that were around at the time like Pulp, Oasis and Beautiful South. I've always been open to a lot of different musical genres and take influences from any song that moves me -- regardless of what genre it is in. I think that's reflected in my sound which is a cross-over blend of several genres.
RG: Knowing what you know now -- if you could pop in on yourself three years ago, or five years ago, what advice would you give?
C: I would definitely tell myself to be a bit more patient! I've realized that building a career sustainably takes time and that even the stories of overnight successes often have been working at it for years. I would also remember to trust my own judgement on things. In this industry there are always a lot of people willing to tell you what you should be doing but I think one of the best pieces of advice I could have been given is to go with your gut instinct on what feels right.
The Spotlight
May 2, 2012 | By ALAN HO - Musiqtone Blog | www.musiqtone.com
Who: Callaghan
Where: Atlanta, GA
For fans of: Jewel, Sarah McLachlan, Paula Cole, Shawn Mullins, James Taylor
Not many overseas musicians would be willing to drop everything, pack their bags and fly to the other side of the pond—the Atlantic Ocean that is and take the enviable risk of launching their music career in the United States and settling there. For British-born and Atlanta resident Callaghan, she did exactly that. The folksy pop/rock singer-songwriter, armed with a load of musical material, already had been in the US briefly in 2009 to record a trio of songs with acclaimed artist and producer Shawn Mullins. But that encounter, arranged via Myspace 3 years ago became something so much more. “When I got on that plane from London to come over to Atlanta, I didn’t know what to expect, how long the album would take or what kind of reception my music would get,” she reflects in her press bio. “There have been all kinds of challenges, but the whole experience has been beyond anything I could have ever imagined. I could not have asked for more; 2011 was such a fantastic year. I’m just going to keep singing that song every single year, because next year’s going to be even better.”
The newcomer’s debut album Life In Full Colour is the satisfying end result of having taken the risk to pack her bags and leave England for Atlanta for good. Whittled down to twelve tracks from the heap of musical material she carried when she made the move in 2010, Life In Full Colour showcases what Callaghan has to offer. Similar to Sarah McLachlan and to a certain extent, Jewel, the album is a nicely arranged mix of pop/rock, country, folk, Americana with just the right touch of emotion and vocals that do indeed evoke images of McLachlan at the height of her career. Tracks like the opener “Best Year”, “Sweet Surrender” and “Smile” underscores her talent to take real life, raw emotion and experiences and bottling it up in a three to four minute song. “Life In Full Colour is about the highs and lows of life; those common experiences that everybody can relate to,” she says. “I like writing about things that touch all of our lives every day, whether it’s falling into or out of love with someone, losing them, being alone, or being overjoyed,” says Callaghan.
In the end, Life In Full Colour is only the beginning for this singer-songwriter from Atlanta by way of the UK. The album does an excellent job in arranging the emotion, the experiences felt in each song and the lyrics behind them without going into overly dramatic territory, as some singer-songwriters have done in the past. The entire package is tied with a very nice vocal knot from Callaghan; the delivery is rich, but understated and with just the right amount of emotion to bring these 12 tracks to complete life.
“I’ve just touched the tip of the iceberg with touring, especially with this country being so vast. I’ve played in close to 30 states since I got here, but there are still so many places I haven’t been to,” she says in her press bio. “I’ll be on the road a lot this year, and getting the music out to people and just trying to spread the word and grow it organically. I can’t wait to see where this year leads and I have a good feeling about it. I think 2012 is going to be the best year yet.”
You haven’t seen the best of Callaghan yet, it’s still being written.
Chart Beat Meet & Greet: Callaghan (Exclusive Video)
May 1, 2012 | By Billboard | www.billboard.com
With a little help from Shawn Mullins, the British singer/songwriter is making U.S. inroads with her debut album, 'Life in Full Colour.'
(Watch video of Callaghan on working with Shawn Mullins)
Shawn Mullins' storytelling got me interested in songwriting," British-born singer/songwriter Callaghan reveals. "His (1998) album 'Soul's Core' was one of the very first albums that I bought. I still listen to it a lot now."
Fourteen years later, the artist who sent his breakout single "Lullabye," with its earworm "everything's-gonna-be-alright" chorus, to No. 1 on Billboard's Radio Songs chart for two weeks, has more than just a fan in Callaghan. Mullins serves as producer on her debut full-length album, "Life in Full Colour," released today on the independent Green Town label.
How did an unknown folk/pop artist get the attention of the Grammy-nominated Mullins? MySpace.
"I really thought, 'I have absolutely nothing to lose from trying to get in touch with him'," Callaghan, who omits her first name, Georgina, professionally, said in a visit to Billboard's New York offices last week. "He had a profile on MySpace, but I really didn't know whether he even looked at his messages."
After sending an e-mail in 2009, "I thought, he's never gonna see this," Callaghan admits. "But, I'm just sitting here in London and there's no one else I want to produce my album, so, why not?
"A couple weeks later when I got an e-mail back from him, I just completely fell off my chair. I couldn't believe that he'd seen the e-mail … and loved my songs."
Following their cyber pen-pal correspondence, the Boston, Lincolnshire-born Callaghan (who, after a visit last year, calls the stateside city of Boston "gorgeous") ultimately decided to move to Atlanta to work with Mullins on what would become "Colour." The pair recorded three songs in 2009, prompting Callaghan to return to stay a year later to complete the set.
The biggest geographical transition she had previously made had been relocating to London at 18 to live with her sister while fostering her career. "My oldest sister had a tiny apartment. The only space that she had for me was under her kitchen table, so that's where I slept," Callaghan remembers with a chuckle. The then-almost starving artist's diet? "Just catch the crumbs".
(Watch video of Callaghan "Best Year")
Three years after arriving in the U.S., Callaghan offers "Colour," a 12-track set infused with folk, pop, rock and country influences and, above all, immediate hooks. Referencing such standout tracks as the pretty ballad "It Was Meant to Be" and the midtempo pop/rock nuggets "Close My Eyes" and "Sweet Surrender," Callaghan says, "That's what I'm driven by: a catchy melody.
"Because I grew up in the '90s, there was a lot of pop music around. Obviously, you want to have lyrics that make you think, or take you down a road that aren't complete nonsense - although sometimes lyrics that make no sense are cool, as well! - but, that's what definitely (matters to) me: melody, and whether it stays with you."
Callaghan is making such an impression at radio, with "Best Year," the lead single from "Colour," receiving airplay on such tastemaker stations as Triple A chart reporter WCLZ Portland, Maine, and the nationally-syndicated weekly program "Acoustic Café."
Having recently played SXSW for the first time ("Everything I'd heard about the festival was true: it's just a crazy few days of non-stop music. Great musicians playing and a lot of fun"), Callaghan kicks off a 13-date U.S. tour on May 19 opening for Steve Forbert at the Narrows Center for the Arts in Fall River, Mass. She'll open for venerable alternative singer/songwriter Matthew Sweet on dates in Philadelphia (June 8), Washington, D.C. (9) and New York (11), as well as for Mullins on July 7 in Durham, N.C.
Not bad for a singer whose career took its key turn from a few keystrokes on MySpace.
(Watch video of Callaghan "Close My Eyes)
As she prepares to tour, Callaghan is excited to bring "Colour" to live audiences.
"The title came from looking at the mix of songs on the album," Callaghan says."They definitely seem to be about those common experiences of falling in love and falling out of love, having your heart broken or getting to a point in your life where you think, 'Things can't get better than this.'
"It's about living all of those parts of life, the good and the bad, and just appreciating it all."
"Best Year," especially, summarizes Callaghan's ascent from unknown artist to one who's quickly added touring and, now, her first full-length album, to her resume. "That one I wrote a couple months after moving here. It's special to me for the feeling of leaving everything in the U.K., coming over to the States and following my dreams to be able to do music full-time. It felt like such a big gamble at the time because I didn't know how it would pay off, but it's been such a fantastic experience.
"Every time I sing that song live now, I get this kind of rush, this feeling of freedom of being over here and getting to do what I love, which I never take for granted."
Callaghan: CD review
May 1, 2012 | By The Daily News, Pittsburgh PA
With her slightly twangy brand of indie folk, it's only logical to assume that lovely singer/songwriter Callaghan hails from the American heartland. In fact, Callaghan was born and raised in England and only to the U.S. to work with producer Shawn Mullins as she down the tracks for her promising "Life in Full Colour" debut.
With her long auburn hair, captivating eyes and strong voice, Callaghan has definite mainstream appeal. The 12-track release finds her dabbling in folk, pop, rock and country and the results are quite nice. Among the highlights here are "To Be Loved By You," "It Was Meant To Be," "The Only Thing Real," "Get Me Through Tonight," and personal favorite "The Edge of Love."
The sky's the limit for Callaghan.
Callaghan: music review
May 1, 2012 | By Amy Steele, Entertainment Realm | www.entertainmentrealm.com
How does a UK singer end up living in Atlanta? A long-time fan of Shawn Mullins, Callaghan contacted him through MySpace in 2009. This led to song collaborations and then Callaghan’s debut album Life in Full Colour. Callaghan moved to Atlanta. The songs on Life in Full Colour move from joy and hope to doubt and despair. While providing mostly a Southern, laid back, gentle feel, there’s a bit of folk, country and pop mixed in. Callaghan showcases her dynamic and versatile vocal range. She sounds a bit like Jewel in her ability to jump from sweet to powerful to a Bel Canto- type melody/ progression. The first few upbeat, pop songs on the album might make you think of Shania Twain. Life in Full Colour is an impressive sophomore album.
my picks:
“Best Year”
“Close My Eyes”
“Get Me Through Tonight”
Callaghan hoping for the "Best Year" ever
April 30, 2012 | By Live2Play Network | www.L2PNet.com
The UK-born, Atlanta-based singer-songwriter Callaghan is hitting the road in support of her just-released album, Life In Full Colour. The record was tracked in and around Atlanta with Grammy-nominated Shawn Mullins both producing and playing on the album.
Life In Full Colour’s 12 songs present the singer’s eclectic and dynamic style, combining shades of folk, country, rock and pop into a seamless fusion of feeling and melody. The first single from the album is "Best Year".
A long-time Mullins fan, Callaghan contacted the Grammy nominated singer-songwriter in 2009 through MySpace, and Mullins agreed to a rare collaboration and prompting her life-changing decision to move to the USA in 2010 to record the album.
Since moving to the US, Callaghan has toured extensively, playing in over 25 states, opening Shawn Mullins' US tour and playing her own shows, including an official showcase at this year's SXSW.
Who's Next Feature: Callaghan
Mar/April 2012 Issue | By M Music and Musicians Magazine
Callaghan appears Monday at World Cafe Live
April 21, 2012 | By DENNY DRYOFF | Daily Local News, West Chester PA
Just because her name is Callaghan and she was born in Boston, don’t expect the singer onstage April 23 at the World Café Live to have red hair, freckles and be wearing a Red Sox baseball cap. Her birth name is Georgina Callaghan but, in her career as a musician, she just uses one name -- Callaghan. And, she was born in the town of Boston, which is located in Lincolnshire, a small port town in England’s midlands. Callaghan, who has been a resident of Atlanta for the last few years, is touring in support of her new album “Life in Full Colour.”
“The new album will be available in Amazon and iTunes on May 5,” said Callaghan, during a phone interview Tuesday. “I’ll also be selling it at my shows. It’s released on my own label Greentown Music. I named the label after the green look of Atlanta. I’ve been living in Atlanta for two years and it now feels like home. “When I left school at 18, I decided not to go to college. I moved in with my sister in London and dedicated myself to my music career. I had a day job and, at the same time, played all the singer-songwriter venues in London. It was a great city to live in. “Living in America makes it much easier for people who play my kind of music. I’ve done a lot of touring all over the East Coast. I’ve played the World Café Live a couple of times with Shawn Mullins but this will be my first time there as the headliner.”
It was a connection with Mullins, who has had a successful career as a singer-songwriter for over 20 years, that prompted Callaghan to cross the Atlantic a few years ago. “I’ve been a fan of Shawn forever,” said Callaghan. “I contacted him in 2009 through MySpace. Two weeks later, I got an e-mail back. He said that he normally didn’t produce other artists but that I should send him some tapes of my music.” Mullins agreed to a rare collaboration. An initial recording trip to Atlanta yielded three songs and that led to Callaghan’s move to the states in 2010 to finish the album. “It all started with those first three songs and now I’m living in America,” said Callaghan. “My British accent doesn’t show when I sing but I can never write songs as an American because I have a different background. There are a lot of American influences in my music but I think people can still hear the British influences.”
Callaghan - "Extra Colourful"
April 19, 2012 | By Philthy Blog | www.blog.philthy.us
On April 23rd World Café Live’s free Monday night institution, Philly Rising Open Mic, will be hosting a special guest, Britain-bred, Atlanta-based singer/songwriter and one-of-Shawn-Mullins’- favorite-people-in-the-world-of-music, Callaghan. In 2010 Callaghan relocated from London to Atlanta to record her debut album with Shawn Mullins (who produced the album). “I lived there several years and played as many singer/songwriter venues as I could,” but she tells me that, compared to the US, the UK’s options for live performances are relatively small: “There’s a thirst for live music over here, people support live music”.
Her debut album, Life in Full Colour, whose life began in 2010, isn’t actually hitting shelves until May 1st of this year. The writing and recording process was quite extensive, which included narrowing down around 40 songs to the 12 that are found on the LP, representing a wide array of the singer/songwriter’s mindsets over the substantial timeline: “I think with the first album it’s always interesting because you have so many songs to choose from. Some were written many years ago and some were quite recent writes.” However, she tells me that many of those tracks that didn’t make the first album are still in her live repertoire and still have the potential to find their way onto future releases.
Life in Full Colour is certainly not alienating. It explores various facets of the worlds of folk and country, yet with a gloss that would render it popularly satisfying to anyone who enjoys clever, well-constructed musings on all of the things that we spend 99% of our waking lives pondering. Their whimsical melodrama is reminiscent of a teenage heart (and would certainly be more than suitable for any hour-long teen drama on The CW). However, Callaghan does seem to have come out on the other side and have a bit of hope to offer that existentially tormented portion of the population. “I hope the feel of the album is very uplifting,” she tells me.
In terms of what audiences can expect of her live set, Callaghan says “They will get entertained. That’s always my goal, whether I’m doing a solo show or a show with a full band. I try to connect with the audience as much as I can… I hope that people are moved in different ways.” If you’re curious to see just how Callaghan can move you, but you can’t make it out to next Monday’s free performance, she will be returning to World Café Live (Downstairs, this time) to open for Matthew Sweet on the Girlfriend Tour.
However, if you can’t make it out to either of her upcoming appearances (or you’re just not a huge fan of World Café Live), Callaghan does offer another option to get to see her live; if you can’t make it out to see her, she’ll potentially come to you… Since moving to the states, Callaghan has taken up house shows…That is she will come to your house to perform two forty minute sets in front of 40-50 of your closest friends… she’s even open to requests. She tells me that she enjoys these shows, which tend to be far more relaxed and intimate than a gig in an average concert hall and allow for even greater connections with the audience. If this interests you (it is, after all, graduation party season), check out the “House Concerts” page of her website. And, while you’re there, make sure to take her up on the limited-time offer to download Life in Full Colour’s first single, “Best Year,” for free and check out the accompanying music video, which is the likely most sentimental thing I’ll admit to liking for a very long time.
Podcast with Callaghan, who plays Blues BBQ on Saturday night
April 19, 2012 | By TAD DICKENS Roanoke Times | www.blogs.roanoke.com
From England by way of Atlanta, Georgina Callaghan was in town last year, opening a show for Shawn Mullins (“Lullaby”) at Kirk Avenue Music Hall. She returns to Roanoke, solo this time at Blues BBQ, to play songs from her new Mullins-produced album, “Life In Full Colour.” Get show details at Top Tickets.
Here, we stream some of the music from that disc — “Best Year,” “Close My Eyes,” “Get Me Through Tonight” — and talk a bit about the music business, her move to Atlanta and what it’s like to miss family living another continent away.
Click here to listen to the Podcast
"Callaghan moved to America to live in full color"
April 13, 2012 | By Knoxville Sentinel | www.knoxville.com
Adjusting to the United States can be hard for a musician from England.
"The U.S. is fantastic," says Georgina Callaghan, who only uses her last name professionally. "It took a while to get used to the scale of it, though."
On the verge of releasing her first full-length album, "Life in Full Colour" (set for release on May 1), Callaghan is preparing for her most extensive tour of the United States yet. She says traveling six or seven hours to the next town to do a show was a shock.
On one tour there was 930 miles between two successive gigs, which is farther than it would take to drive from one end of Britain to the other.
Raised in Lincolnshire, England, Callaghan says she has had an interest in music and singing for as long as she can remember:
"I've been lucky to grow up in a very musical family. There was always music playing in the house and it's always been a part of my life. I never really thought I would write music myself."
At the age of 14, she decided to try out for the British TV show "Get Your Act Together," hosted by Ronan Keating.
"That was before the whole phenomenon of 'American Idol' and 'The X-Factor,' she says.
The show required contestants to create their own song, but Callaghan had never attempted to write songs. Her father insisted she go for it.
Her first songwriting attempt landed her on the program.
Spurred by that success, she continued to write and perform.
"At 18, I decided to move to London and do music as much as I could," she says. "I did all the songwriter nights."
She lived with her sister in an apartment that was so cramped that she had to sleep under the kitchen table.
Knowing that not every club had a piano and keyboards were hard to transport, she decided to learn how to play guitar. The instrument's portability was a factor, but it also changed her as an artist.
"And you definitely come up with a different kind of song when you're writing on guitar."
She released a series of EPs in England and found some regional success. In 2009, she contacted American singer-songwriter Shawn Mullins, one of her favorite artists, through Facebook. That led to Callaghan coming to the States to collaborate with Mullins on recordings and touring as his opening act. In 2010, she moved to Atlanta.
In addition to performing shows with Mullins, who produced her new album, Callaghan has been performing with Knoxville's Erick Baker. She opened for Baker at the Bijou earlier this year.
Callaghan says she's currently splitting time between Atlanta and Nashville and is working hard to have a successful career in music.
"It's definitely not an easy business. If I could picture myself doing something else I probably would, but I just can't picture it."
The first single from the new album is up at Callaghan's website (www.callaghansongs.com) for free download. She says the song is particularly special to her:
"It's all about moving here and following your dreams."
Callaghan - featured artist
April 9, 2012 | By Pens Eye View | www.penseyeview.com
We love telling stories like the one Callaghan brings to the pages of PEV today and tomorrow – risk, chance, opportunity, social media… this story has it all! It wasn’t that long ago in 2010 that Callaghan was refining her musical craft in London, England, when she decided to shoot a message to well-known American singer-songwriter, Shawn Mullins via MySpace. What happened after that? Only a handful of life altering decisions!
Callaghan flew across the world to Atlanta and not only met with Mullins, but worked with him to produce her debut record (out May 1st) titled “Life in Full Colour”. Callaghan even took to the road with Mullins, playing over 30 states thus far. She says “I have been really lucky and met loads of great people who have welcomed me and been excited and supportive of what I am trying to achieve. I can say from firsthand experience that American hospitality is hard to beat!” Refreshing, right?
Back to “Life in Full Colour”; a collection that Callaghan says charmingly brings her music to life: “shades of folk, country, rock and pop.” She continues, “Like all singer-songwriters I am bringing my personal experience of life and the world to the lyrics and music I write…I chose the title ‘Life in Full Colour’ because the songs reflect the moments all of us experience in our lives; from the joy of being in love to the mess of falling out of love, from the loneliness of bereavement to the happiness of meeting the right person at the right time.” Get into it May 1st. You can catch a great preview now by going to www.callaghansongs.com and downloading the first single, “Best Year” for free. Good stuff. There’s a whole lot more for you to get into, so keep reading for all the answers to the XXQ’s.
XXQs: Callaghan
PensEyeView.com (PEV): How would you describe your sound and what do you feel makes you different from the others in your genre?
I would describe my music as combining shades of folk, country, rock and pop. Perhaps its sound doesn’t fit neatly into a genre, but like all singer-songwriters I am bringing my personal experience of life and the world to the lyrics and music I write. The first single from my album, “Best Year” is a very positive, upbeat, summery song about taking chances and following your dreams. It was inspired by moving to the USA to record my album. If you like catchy melodies and lyrics that that take you on a journey through different emotions you’ll enjoy my music.
PEV: Hailing from across the pond, in England, what kind of music were the members of the band into growing up? Do you remember your first concert?
I grew up with a wide range of influences, from British acts like Elton John, traditional Irish folk music, and also American artists such as Johnny Cash and James Taylor. My parents listened to quite a bit of country music when I was small and the first concert they took me to when I was 5 was John Denver who I used to like to sing along to in my parents’ car. I was so excited that by the time he came on stage I was pretty exhausted and fell fast asleep after a couple of songs!
PEV: What was it like trying to break into the music scene in your hometown, when you first started out as a band? What was your first show like together as a band?
Moving to London at 18 was a daunting but exciting time. I started out playing anywhere I possibly could and really built up my live gigging experience until I could be a little bit more selective. There were some times in the early days when the audiences were very small, but they grew quickly and it was all part of the journey! There are some fantastic venues in London that I played at like The National Theatre and Shepherd’s Bush Empire.
One of the great things about moving to the US has been getting the opportunity to record and perform with such talented musicians. All of the members of Shawn Mullins’ band (including Shawn himself!) played on my record and I’m lucky enough to be able to perform live with them when I do full band shows at Eddie’s Attic and other Georgia venues.
PEV: What can fans expect from a live Callaghan show?
At my live shows, whether they are solo or with the band, I hope people feel like they have been entertained. That’s my main job. I want to take people on a journey with my songs through the highs and lows of life - love, loss, joy, sorrow. A lot of the songs from my new album “Life in Full Colour” talk about those shared experiences that people can relate to.
I play piano and guitar, usually solo, but sometimes in a trio or with a full band. I like to share some of the stories behind the songs and also some of the experiences I have had since I moved to the USA.
I love meeting the audience at my shows and really enjoy talking to people and signing CDs at the end of the evening.
PEV: What is the first thing that comes to mind when you step on stage?
Sometimes, in that nervous moment when you step out and your mind goes blank, it’s ‘Where am I tonight?!’ Actually, it varies from show to show. I don’t often feel nervous anymore, but I do get very excited and I really enjoy the feeling of stepping out onto the stage and looking out at the audience knowing that it’s going to be a really fun night.
PEV: What do you think of mainstream music today – as in what’s being played on the radio?
I like that there are so many formats over here - whatever kind of music you’re into there’s probably a radio station that’ll suit your tastes. Because I spend so much time traveling I end up listening to the mainstream radio quite often, but there are also a lot of times when I really enjoy putting on an AM station and hearing something completely new and unpredictable!
PEV: What was the underlining inspiration for your music? Where do get your best ideas for songs?
I listen to a lot of music. I’m a genuine music fan and am rarely without my ipod. I love discovering artists I haven’t heard before and exploring different genres. I also love people watching and find that quite often ideas for songs come from the simplest places.
I hope that when people listen to my songs they recognise moments, experiences and emotions they have had in their own lives and feel a connection with the words and music.
PEV: Thinking back to when you first started out do you ever look back at your career and think about your earlier days and how you’ve arrived where you are today?
I often wonder about how I got here! A lot of things have changed in the last year and a half - in particular moving to the US and recording my debut album! I think it has been a combination of hard work, belief and luck, and I wouldn’t change any of the experiences - good or bad - because I believe it all helps shape the person and artist I’ve become.
PEV: What’s one thing we’d be surprised to hear about the members of Callaghan?
That there’s only one member! I am Callaghan!
PEV: You contacted Shawn Mullins via MySpace a handful of years ago asking if he’d work with you and he was so blown away by your sound it all came together. What happened from this experience?
The first big impact was a decision to move from the UK to the USA to record my debut album, Life in Full Colour. When I got on that plane from London to Atlanta, I didn't know what to expect, but the welcome and the reaction to my music has been amazing.
It has been so incredible getting to tour with Shawn and watching him perform each night - I have been to over 30 states so far. I knew that Shawn Mullins was the right producer, and working in the studio with such a meticulous and gifted artist has been a real education for me as a musician and a songwriter.
Living in Georgia and traveling round the USA I have been really lucky and met loads of great people who have welcomed me and been excited and supportive of what I am trying to achieve. I can say from first hand experience that American hospitality is hard to beat!
PEV: Tell us about your upcoming release. What can fans expect from this work?
I chose the title “Life in Full Colour” because the songs reflect the moments all of us experience in our lives; from the joy of being in love to the mess of falling out of love, from the loneliness of bereavement to the happiness of meeting the right person at the right time. The first single from the album, 'Best Year', is an uptempo, positive song about the story that brought me here and a hope and belief that the best is yet to come.
PEV: What is the feeling you get after a song is complete and you can sit back and listen to it being played the way you envisioned?
Its been an amazing experience getting to record my first full length album and working with Shawn Mullins as producer. He and the talented Georgia musicians he got together have brought my songs to life, and really achieved the sound I was hoping for. I feel so proud when I listen to what we have created together.
PEV: With all your traveling is there one area you wish you could travel around and play that you have not yet?
I think I have played in or visited about 30 states since moving here in summer 2010, so I am getting to see a lot of the USA. I haven’t been to Texas yet, and it’s somewhere I’ve always wanted to go. Luckily, I have been invited to perform at SXSW in Austin in March so I’m really looking forward to playing there and exploring the city.
PEV: How have all your friends and family reacted to your career? What’s it like when you get to play at your hometown?
My friends and family are all really supportive. I grew up in a very musical house. My dad plays guitar and banjo and both parents encouraged me and my two older sisters to learn instruments and be involved in music.
Atlanta feels like my adopted hometown since moving here in 2010. My first gig in Atlanta was at a venue called Eddie’s Attic which is an amazing singer-songwriter listening room hosted by the legendary Eddie Owen, it has become a really special place for me where I feel completely at home.
I’m hoping to get back and play a gig in London soon though and would love to catch up with everyone back there.
PEV: What can we you doing in your spare time, aside from playing/writing music?
I’m a real food-fanatic and love cooking and baking elaborate desserts. I also recently took up boxing which I love and it helps to burn the calories from all the cakes!!
PEV: Name one present and past artist or group that would be your dream collaboration? Why?
Present artist would be Elton John. I think he is a phenomenal songwriter and musician and I’ve grown up listening to his music so he has been a big influence for me. Past artist would be Buddy Holly. I love his music and I’m amazed at what he achieved in such a short life. I can only imagine what he would have created over the course of a longer career.
PEV: Is there an up and coming band or artist you think we should all be looking out for now?
I have just been doing some shows with a singer-songwriter named Erick Baker out of Knoxville whose lyrics and live performance I really love. More locally to Atlanta I’ve recently seen a teen rock band called Kick the Robot - they have a fun and energetic style.
PEV: If playing music wasn’t your life (or life’s goal) what would be your career?
I can’t remember a time when I wanted to do anything other than sing, write and perform music. I have never thought of doing anything else or having a back up plan. I will make my living as a singer and songwriter. How successful I’ll be depends on hard work, determination and fate!
PEV: So, what is next for Callaghan?
Life in Full Colour is being released on May 1st so I’ll be doing a lot of touring to support the record. You can find details of all of my upcoming tour dates on my website, www.callaghansongs.com.
My first single, “Best Year” is out now and is available as a free download from my website and there’s all kinds of news at www.facebook.com/callaghanmusic
Callaghan – Life in Full Colour Review
March 13, 2012 | By JULIE SCHREIBER | Reviewer for PAMusicScene.com
Captivated at first listen, Life in Full Colour successfully drives the listener through a journey of all the ups and downs in life and love. From the buoyant, optimistic “Best Year” to the aching loss of “Close My Eyes” and the honesty and directness of “The Only Thing Real” to the raw poignant lyrics and vocals of “Get Me Through Tonight” and the soulful, moving “The Edge of Love”, Callaghan loyally brings her listeners through an exploration of a gamut of emotion.
In a time where artists seem almost like cookie cutter replicas of their fellow creators, Callaghan delivers a sincere, unprocessed performance. There are some voices that are capable of transporting listeners to another place and Callaghan’s effortless, sweet sounding, lilting, silvery vocals take you to a sun-drenched private beach with a warm breeze where worries are a thing of the past. This album takes you to a place you’ll continually want to visit and some place where I plan on spending some time.
You can pick up Callaghan’s beautiful debut album, produced by Grammy nominated, singer-songwriter Shawn Mullins, on May 1, 2012. This UK-born, Atlanta-based, singer-songwriter is currently touring the U.S. so check out her website and Facebook to see if she’ll be coming your way.
Callaghan @ The Irving
March 8, 2012 | By INDY LIVE MUSIC | Inlivemusic.com
One of our favorite places we have recently discovered is the Irving Theater on the eastside of Indy. We’ve been fortunate enough to cover a few shows there and we have always enjoyed ourselves. The space is perfect for intimate shows and also allows room for big shows, as well. On this evening, we wandered out to catch the music of the Yellow Kites and Callaghan.
Opening up the evening was the duo The Yellow Kites, made up of fellow Hoosier Kendall Ludwig and his lovely wife, Erina Ludwig. Their classic folk sound has taken them around the world and allowed them to share their music in some pretty amazing places. Their songs are often humorous, sweet, and thought-provoking. The musical talent of this couple is enthralling…to see a new generation of musicians genuinely interested in exploring the sounds of classic instruments and their application to American folk music is so rare. The Yellow Kites are true artists, to be sure. Some highlights of their set include “Joseph and Julie,” “A Tree Love Song,” and “Soiree.” I really enjoyed listening to them live and look forward to seeing where their adventures lead them next. Check out their music…you can buy it digitally or if you are lucky enough to catch a live show, you can buy a digital download card that you can plant after use…what’s not to love about that?!
Callaghan then took the stage. The UK born singer-songwriter is due to release her album “Life in Full Colour” in May and played a sampling of the new music for the intimate crowd at the Irving. It is clear that the driving force behind Callaghan’s songwriting is the expression of genuine life experiences. She presented each song with a story…a narrative of how the song was born from an experience she’s had. She played “Smile,” a 2009 song written with Shawn Mullins, who helped produce her upcoming release. We also were treated to a couple of covers throughout the evening, such as “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” and “The First Cut is the Deepest.” Callaghan’s voice is stunning, clear, and is perfect for the storytelling of her songs. She also sang “Best Year,” “The Edge of Love,” and “Close My Eyes.” The crowd at the Irving on this evening could not get enough of listening to Callaghan’s stories. We were glad to listen to those stories and can’t wait to see what’s next for this promising singer-songwriter.
Also, big thanks to Robin from Segment of Society…as always, she puts so much effort into booking great artists to play locally in Indy and we are so grateful for all of her hard work and kindness in welcoming new artists to our city.
Mullins, Callaghan return to Wheeler for Indy Acoustic Cafe Series
February 27, 2012 | By JOE KONZ | Photopotpourri.blogspot.com
Just about a year ago, Shawn Mullins came to Indianapolis to perform as part of the Indy Acoustic Cafe Series at the Wheeler Art Community Center. I went to the show, but didn't take pictures for reasons I won't get into here.
Mullins returned to Indianapolis last Friday, and singer-songwriter Callaghan, a UK native who makes her home in Atlanta, Ga., opened for him -- just like she did last year. And just like last year, the show was a sellout, which I'm sure delighted Series organizer Mark Butterfield, who donates all beverage sales proceeds from the shows to charity.
It was a great show -- Callaghan was clearly excited about the imminent release of her first CD, "Life in Full Colour," which is due out in May, although people attending Friday's show were able to purchase advance copies. Mullins also has a new album to promote, "Light You Up," and he played several songs from it, including the title track, "California" and "The Ghost of Johnny Cash." The latter was one of two encore numbers; the other was "Lullaby," a Billboard Top Ten hit in 1999. He also sang "Beautiful Wreck," a single from his 2006 album "9th Ward Pickin' Parlor."
Callaghan will be back in Indianapolis in less than two weeks; she headlines a show at 8 p.m. March 8 at the Irving Theater, 5505 E. Washington St. Opening for her is an Indianapolis duo that goes by the name the Yellow Kites. Tickets are $8.
The pictures here are from the Callaghan and Shawn Mullins show in Indy this past Friday. Joining Mullins for his set was Patrick Blanchard (pictured at top with Mullins, who's on the right). Blanchard plays bass for Mullins' usual band and played electric lead for Friday's show. Callaghan joined the two for two songs late during Mullins' set, both tunes that Mullins said were new compositions. For the second number, Mullins and Callaghan stepped away from the microphones and stood at the edge of the stage, front and center. They were no more than 3 feet from the people in the front row.
There are additional pictures at my Facebook photography page; follow this link for the Mullins set and this link for the Callaghan set.
To see complete galleries, follow this link for Mullins ... and this link for Callaghan.
Callaghan At Space In Evanston, Opening for Shawn Mullins
February 25, 2012 | By PATRICK OGLE | Mapanare.us
Callaghan is an English singer songwriter whose first full-length record, Life in Full Colour, comes out May 1, 2012. She played recently at Space in Evanston, Illinois with Shawn Mullins, who also produced her record.
Her music is hard to classify by genre when you see her live. That is likely because she is a multi-instrumentalist singer songwriter playing solo; by definition that makes genre hard to determine. When Callaghan tours with a nine piece band you can figure that out. For now, just accept her as a writer with a lovely voice who can play like a human metronome.
Mullins relocated to Atlanta from the U.K. (can you say “culture shock”?) and began work on her record.
“This is my first full length album it is coming out may first. It is twelve songs. The Life in full color title came from the collection of songs the theme of things from everyday life that people experience falling in love, falling out of love being overjoyed or really sad, those highs and lows of life,” she says. “It was recorded in 2010 and 2011 with Shawn and I had a fantastic time making it and getting to come out and play the songs live it has been great, real learning curve getting to go into the studio with him and watch him as a producer.”
Callaghan says she has been a huge fan of Mullins’ music for as long as she remembers. But seeing him work as a producer showed her a whole new side. The new record isn’t the first she produced but it is the first she thought of as an integral collection of songs.
“I’ve done EPs in past, five six seven songs I put out myself. This one because it was a full album I really thought about which songs are going to go on here and I have so many to choose from..” she says.
They started with 40 songs—a large portion, at least, of the songs Callaghan had written. They added a couple of songs she and Mullins worked on together.
Callaghan tours extensively and before songs are recorded they get played live.
“It is interesting because I have heard other artists say that when they play a song over and over and over again it can get monotonous but I quite like it,” says Callaghan. “That feeling when you play a song 200 times and suddenly it changes. I don’t know if it is the audience reaction or something feels different as you discover a new part of that song.”
Callaghan also feels at home on tour.
“I love touring. I love the studio side as well and all the creative part, creating a song.’ she says.
But playing live is what she really loves. Being on tour with Mullins has been a plus. When she plays with him she benefits from his fans and his past. Regardless of where or who Callaghan plays for she brings the same mindset.
“I’ve played some where there are five people in the room but it doesn’t matter whether there are five people or five hundred; I am going to have fun on stage. Hopefully the people will go home and say ‘I saw a good show tonight.’ Then I hope they go tell all their friends about it,” she says. “I know to be realistic in the way that the music business now is now to build it sustainably; get people to come out. Then they go home and tell their friends and the next time they come and see you.”
Callaghan tells a story before she plays one of her new songs. She talks about how she wrote a song for her husband, who moved to the USA with her shortly after their marriage. She played the song, Blue Eyes, for him and asked what he thought. She could tell something wasn’t quite right.
He then pointed out, “I have green eyes.”
The song now has a new title. Callaghan says he doesn’t bring this up as often as most men would.
“Yes, well…He is very understanding about being married to a songwriter and that these things happen. People come up to the CD table a lot and look at his eyes very intently and say ‘you’re the one with green eyes’.” says Callaghan.
As to her near future plans Callaghan says she plans to tour, tour, tour, for the next few months.
“I am going to play as many shows as possible to support the album coming out. More and more dates are being booked.” she says.
You can find out more information, and for a while, get a free download at www.callaghansongs.com.
Now a veteran, Mullins nurtures younger talent
February 23, 2012 | By TOM CONWAY | South Bend Tribune
Shawn Mullins grew up listening to such singer-songwriters as Kris Kristofferson and John Prine, studying their music closely to hone his own music and songwriting style.
"I love John Prine," Mullins says by phone from an Atlanta recording studio where he was working on preproduction for an album by folk-rock singer Michelle Malone. "He is one of my heroes for songwriting and his masterful performance. It's not just songs. He has got the whole deal."
Since his breakthrough 1999 single, "Lullaby," Mullins has built a formidable career as a songwriter and producer, giving him the role of "senior statesman," like his musical heroes.
"Well, maybe, middle-aged statesman," he says, laughing.
Mullins is in a place now where aspiring songwriters and musicians look to him for advice and assistance.
"I'm cool with that," he says. "You get a lot of people wanting to share their songs with you. I have a hard time saying no. I am having to start doing that. Sometimes, there is just not going to be a good outcome."
A fellow Atlantan, country singer Zac Brown was one of the people who came to Mullins for songwriting help. In 2006, Brown was recording a song called "Toes" and asked Mullins to come over to listen to it.
"I thought it sounded great," Mullins says. "I said, 'Man, I love this song. It sounds like a hit. But, you have got an ending where you are still talking about being on the beach in Mexico and you have already told them that you are having to fly home and are running out of money. If you could turn your chorus, you could turn that to being back in Georgia.' "
Mullins suggested changing the last chorus to "put my (butt) in a lawn chair/toes in the clay/not a worry in the world/a PBR on the way/life is good today."
"It fell out," Mullins says. "It was one of those times. It doesn't happen like that all of the time. I said, 'Do something like that. It'll twist it a little bit and complete the story.' "
"Toes," by the Zac Brown Band, topped the country music charts, making it the third single that Mullins contributed to to hit No. 1, following "Lullaby" and Mullins' 2006 Triple A/Americana single, "Beautiful Wreck."
"I love the guy," Mullins says of Brown. "I have known him since he was 14. I have loved watching his career. This was before anything exploded. Six months later, I got a call and everything was blowing up. He was working out the publishing. He said, 'Dude, I am using all of what you said. I just wouldn't feel right not having you on that song.' We argued about it for a while. I finally agreed to a pretty small percentage."
Brown has been quoted as saying, "I'm not sure if I would have the inspiration to be where I am today without Shawn Mullins. When I saw him singing a long time ago, that was when I realized this was what I wanted to do forever."
Mullins is humbly hesitant to receive that level of praise and compliment.
"That feels so good, but it is hard to accept," he says. "I don't think he is lying. I think that is his experience. Most of the time, I am feeling like a hack. I have that struggle all of the time of trying to do something really good, so that is really nice to hear."
Mullins has recently been working with U.K. singer-songwriter Callaghan, who will be opening for him at the Acorn this Saturday.
He discovered her in 2009, "when the MySpace thing was happening and was heavier than Facebook," he says.
Callaghan -- her given name is Georgina Callaghan and was raised in Bristol, Lincolnshire, in England -- had gotten the courage up to send Mullins some of her songs.
"I had been a fan of Shawn's for as long as I can remember," she says in a separate phone interview from Atlanta. "He was one of my real early influences on becoming a songwriter. I was friends with him on MySpace. I thought, 'Well, I'll just send him a message to see if he ever works with anyone else.' At that point, I was looking for a producer. I loved the sound of his records and I knew that he produced his own material. I thought, 'I'll send this message out and maybe not hear anything more about it.' Two weeks later, I got an e-mail back from him, saying that he loved my songs and wanted to work together. It has really changed the whole course of where my life was going."
Mullins is always looking for fresh talent to help, and he was quick to recognize the potential within Callaghan.
"I heard a couple of her songs," he says. "They were not great demos, but I could hear her voice and hear the song. Her sense of melody, right off, I was like, 'Wow, what a melodist.' I got a sense of it, what works and what a lot of people will enjoy singing along to. It was just one of those natural things. You either have it or you don't. I have that and I dug that about her. We got in touch. She wanted to come to America and maybe let me produce a couple songs. We ended up doing that. It just developed from there."
Mullins produced Callaghan's debut album, "Life in Full Color," which will be released on May 1. The first single, "Best Year," can be downloaded for free at callaghansongs.com.
Callaghan enjoyed the experience of working in the U.S. so much that she has now set up home in Atlanta.
"I thought, 'I'll finish the album with him and do some touring and see where it leads,' " she says. "I have just had such a fantastic response since coming here. It is a good place to grow your music organically and just get out there and perform."
Callaghan is also thrilled that a veteran, Grammy-nominated artist such as Mullins was willing to extend a hand to help another musician out.
"He has been a fantastic influence," she says, "getting to meet him and watch him perform every night. He has become a really great friend, as well, which is just awesome."
In concert
Shawn Mullins and Callaghan perform at 8 p.m. Saturday at the Acorn Theater, 107 Generations Drive, Three Oaks. Tickets are $25. For more information, call 269-756-3879 or visit the website, acorntheater.com.
Callaghan Releasing New Album Featuring Shawn Mullins
February 16, 2012 | By ANTI MUSIC | antimusic.com
Callaghan has set a May 1, 2012 release date for her new album, Life In Full Colour, which was tracked in and around Atlanta with Shawn Mullins both producing and playing on the album.
A long-time Mullins fan, Callaghan contacted the Grammy nominated singer-songwriter in 2009 through MySpace, and Mullins agreed to a rare collaboration. An initial recording trip to Atlanta yielded three songs, prompting her life-changing decision to move to the USA in 2010 to finish the album.
Callaghan left her London digs and boarded a plane headed for the American South: the experience was the inspiration for the opening track and first single from the album, "Best Year." She now calls Atlanta, and the United States, home.
Says Callaghan of the experience: "When I got on that plane from London to Atlanta, I didn't know what to expect, but the welcome and the reaction to my music has been amazing. I knew that Shawn Mullins was the right producer, and working in the studio with such a meticulous and gifted artist has been a real education for me as a musician and a songwriter. The songs on Life in Full Colour reflect the moments all of us experience in our lives; from the joy of being in love to the mess of falling out of love, from the loneliness of bereavement to the happiness of meeting the right person at the right time. 'Best Year' is about the story that brought me here and a hope and belief that the best is yet to come."
Says Mullins of the collaboration: "Callaghan is a truly amazing artist. It's been a long time since I've heard a voice as strong and as true as hers. It just shines. Working with her in the studio was incredible; I felt an immediate connection to her music. She's a remarkably strong pop melodist – her sense of melody is timeless and there is a classic quality to her songs."
Callaghan has toured extensively throughout the U.S. playing in 30 states alongside Mullins and in her own headline shows. Now that Life In Full Colour is ready for release, further touring is planned in support throughout 2012.
Callaghan To Release ‘Life In Full Colour’ In May
February 15, 2012 | By EBURBAN | eburban.com
Callaghan will release her latest album, Life In Full Colour, on May 1.
The UK-based singer/songwriter collaborated with Shawn Mullins on the project, which contains songs that dabble in folk, country, rock, and pop. The two met up over Myspace back in 2009 and Callaghan eventually traveled to Atlanta to collaborate with Mullins. Their first time hitting the studio resulted in three songs and from there Callaghan was inspired to write the opening track of her album, “Best Year.”
“When I got on that plane from London to Atlanta, I didn’t know what to expect, but the welcome and the reaction to my music has been amazing. I knew that Shawn Mullins was the right producer, and working in the studio with such a meticulous and gifted artist has been a real education for me as a musician and a songwriter,” says Callaghan of the experience. “The songs on Life in Full Colour reflect the moments all of us experience in our lives; from the joy of being in love to the mess of falling out of love, from the loneliness of bereavement to the happiness of meeting the right person at the right time. ‘Best Year’ is about the story that brought me here and a hope and belief that the best is yet to come.”
Callaghan is slated to tour before and after the tour. Check below for the dates.
2/16 – Charlotte, NC – Double Door (w/Erick Baker)
2/17 – Knoxville, TN – Bijou Theater (w/Erick Baker)
2/22 – St. Louis, MO – The Old Rock House (w/Shawn Mullins)
2/23 – Evanston, IL – SPACE (w/Shawn Mullins)
2/25 – Three Oaks, MI – Acorn Theatre (w/Shawn Mullins)
3/8 – Indianapolis, IN – Irving Theater
3/9 – Valparaiso, IN – Front Porch
3/10 – Valparaiso, IN – Memorial Opera House (w/Dave Alvin & The Guilty Ones)
3/11 – Chicago, IL – ACE Bar
4/13 – Dahlonega, GA – Crimson Moon Cafe
4/18 – Raleigh, NC – Burning Coal Theater
4/19 – Knoxville, TN – Scruffy City Roots
4/21 – Roanoke, VA – The Blues BBQ Co.
4/22 – Easton, MD – NightCat
4/23 – Philadelphia, PA – World Cafe Live
4/25 – Asbury Park, NJ – The Saint
4/26 – New York, NY – Rockwood Music Hall
4/27 – Scarborough, ME – The Brickhouse
5/25 – Decatur, GA – Eddie’s Attic
5/26 – Duluth, GA – Eddie Owens Presents, Red Clay Theatre
6/13 – Nashville, TN – Music City Roots
Callaghan On Tour, Releasing New Record, May 1, 2012
February 15, 2012 | By MAPANARE.US | Mapanare.us
Callaghan, a singer songwriter, has a record on the way. Life In Full Colour comes out May 1, 2012. The record was produced by Shawn Mullins, who also plays on the record. Think folk, rock, pop with a dash of country and you are in the Callaghan’s neighborhood. Curiously Callaghan contacted Mullins via Myspace, which led to her moving to Atlanta (from London) in 2010.
Callaghan has a classical background, learning flute at the age of six. Later she learned piano. She was writing songs and recording by the time she was 14. Since 2010 she has toured in the USA with Mullins and solo.
UK based singer, Callaghan, plays The Melting Point in Athens
January 18, 2012 | Submitted By MARC RICHARDSON | Athens.11.alive.com
Callaghan’s show at the Melting Point is a special trio show with Athens’ own Tom ‘Panda’ Ryan and Patrick Blanchard. Panda and Patrick are regular players with Shawn Mullins and played on Callaghan’s debut album.
In the Summer of 2010 British singer-songwriter Callaghan packed up her life in London and moved to Atlanta to work with one of her musical heroes - Grammy Nominee Shawn Mullins.
Performing on piano and guitar, Callaghan combines sounds from Americana, Folk and Pop. and a voice which earns frequent comparisons with artists like Sarah McLachlan and Norah Jones.
Her songs chronicle stories and moments from her own life and from others she knows or imagines. You’ll recognise times you have experienced in her thoughtful lyrics and haunting vocals, and her catchy melodies will have you tapping your feet and singing along.
Since making Georgia her home, Callaghan has been selling out shows at local venues like Eddie’s Attic and The Crimson Moon. She’s also been on the road opening Shawn’s tour across the USA and performing in more than 25 states.
Her debut album ‘Life in Full Colour’ is now on limited release to show audiences and will get it’s full release in Spring 2012.
The record kicks off with ‘Best Year’, an upbeat, optimistic song about her decision to take a chance and move to America. For a free download of ‘Best Year’ and to see the video which shows Callaghan on tour across the USA please visit www.callaghansongs.com
Callaghan Interview
November 3, 2011 | By COUNTRY START PAGE | countrystartpage.com
Why country music?
~ I grew up listening to a lot of country music as well as playing and singing Irish music so, although I wouldn't describe my own music as traditional country, I've always felt a strong connection to it. My dad is the one who really introduced me to country music. Growing up our house was full of American music by Johnny Cash, John Denver, Buddy Holly, Hank Williams and others. Dad plays guitar and banjo himself. He taught me my first chords and always encouraged lots of music at home in family jam sessions!
Is your UK background a blessing or a curse now you are breaking through in the USA with an americana/folk/country repertoire?
~ My background makes me a little unusual - which is a good thing. The fact that I am from the UK and have a slightly different musical and cultural background to local musicians means that the songs I write sound a little different. People are intrigued by someone from another country and US audiences are very warm and supportive of someone who has moved over and is taking a chance on following her dreams.
If everything would be possible (waking the dead included) , which two people should sing the ultimate country duet?
~ Johnny Cash and Buddy Holly. Two of my favourite artists, and I think that would create something interesting!
What song you ever recorded means the most to you and why?
~ The song "Best Year" means a lot as I wrote it about 6 months after moving to the US and it really sums up the feeling at the time of leaving everything behind, taking a chance and following your dream. When I sing that song I always remember that you only live once, and sometimes it pays to take a risk.
If you could choose one artist to record one of your songs, who would it be?
~ There's a song on my album called "Look Around" which some people have told me would be great for Rascal Flatts. I would love that! That would definitely be cool.
Whisky wine beer or water?
~ That definitely depends on the situation! I'm not a whiskey drinker at all, although I have enjoyed some whiskey moonshine in Tennessee. I can definitely enjoy having a few beers when I'm doing a show (preferably after the show so I can still remember the words!) but my absolute favourite drink is prosecco. That's not too easy to find at most venues though!
If you could turn back time to make only one change, what would you change?
~ I wouldn't change anything in my life. I think everything that has happened, good and bad, has lead me to the place I'm at now and given me experiences to learn from and write songs about. Being here, touring the USA and making a living from music is just wonderful.
What is the question interviewers never seem to ask you and...you wish they would? (Please provide your answer as well)
~ Where they can get my album! It will be officially released in Feb 2012, but you can get copies right now from my website callaghansongs.com
Describe the ultimate recording studio (not the technique but the facilities)
~ I'm still learning about the technical side of the process and the technology you need. Shawn Mullins and the fabulous drummer and engineer Gerry Hansen, took care of all that side of things masterfully on the latest recording. So I guess to enjoy making the music I would like an ideal studio to provide a relaxed setting, where you could gather a great group of musicians, reach out and pick up fantastic instruments and have fun jamming. There would have to be good tea available during the day, good Pizza available for lunch and prosecco later in the day - and some Miller Lite for my guitarist buddy Davis Causey.
Johnny or June?
~ Johnny. I'm a huge Johnny Cash fan and do a version of his song "Folsom Prison Blues" at most of my live shows.
Are you still nervous before going on stage and if so, do you use any "rituals" to calm you nerves?
~ I'm not as nervous as I used to be when I was younger which I think is due to performing a lot more often. I still get some butterflies, but I wouldn't want to lose that feeling. I think if you're about to go on stage and entertain a room full of people and you don't feel anything, something's going wrong! Some nerves can get you fired up and help you enjoy it once you're out there.
What was the most memorable day in your musical career and tell us why.
~ March 26th 2009 - The day that I received an email back from Shawn Mullins telling me he wanted to hear some more of my songs and was interested in producing my album. Recording my album with Shawn as well as being able to tour a lot of the US with him has given me so many opportunities and experiences that I wouldn't have had otherwise. I'm sure he will always be one of the most influential people of my career.
Singer/Songwriters Shawn Mullins and Callaghan to Perform at Bethel Woods and Piermont
October 3, 2011 | By GEORGE J. DACRE | Rocklandcountytimes.com
Callaghan is her name and performing is her game, and the British born entertainer will be at Bethel Woods Center for the Arts October 22, and at the Turning Point Cafe in Piermont October 23, on a tour that takes her to Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Vermont, Massachusetts, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, and South Carolina through December 14.
Callaghan has a devoted following in the United Kingdom and decided to come to the United States after teaming up with Grammy nominee singer/songwriter Shawn Mullins, who recently produced her debut album "Life In Full Coulour."
Mullins says "the world needs more singers/songwriters like Callaghan. In a time when mediocrity is seen as brilliant, she shines through as the real deal with an original and pure voice," says the author of late 1990s #1 hit single "Lullaby."
Callaghan and Mullins have been working together for more than two years. Callaghan is excited at the response she is receiving touring with Mullins. She switches effortlessly from piano to guitar and her music blends Americana, Country and Pop. She has been compared with Sarah McLachlan and Emmy Lou Harris.