Returning together with her latest single “shadow of you,” Celine Wanyi ushers in a brand new chapter in her artistry – one main with unapologetic authenticity, multi-faceted artistry, and daring inventive imaginations.
Stream: “shadow of you” – Celine Wanyi
I’d describe my music now as ‘heartbreak remedy.’ It’s a strategy to course of these feelings and experiences.
Music has at all times been part of Celine Wanyi’s life, and he or she’s lived a number of lives via it.
From childhood karaoke periods, a level at Berklee Faculty of Music, and a debut EP below her belt, the Singapore-born, Hong Kong-raised R&B singer has already seen strides in her music. Wanyi now returns with single “shadow of you,” a deeply resonant observe honing sensual hums and plush undertones, whereas exhibiting her intensive vocal capacity. The observe arrives as a strong return since her 2021 EP, twentysomething, but additionally represents a model new chapter for the artist. Shedding her prior alias, WANYI, and now going by Celine Wanyi, the singer is bridging the gaps between all sides of herself, bringing collectively her previous, current, and future.
Identified for her four-octave vocal vary, Wanyi utilises this as a device to push herself inside her inventive capabilities, and this single offered many firsts for the artist. Working with the internationally famend Jacob Ray, Wanyi shares that “shadow of you” was the primary time she labored with one other producer on this capability. As a self-taught producer, Wanyi is accustomed to being within the drivers seat in relation to producing her music. When it comes to her rebranding, she shares that it isn’t simply her identify that has shifted, however a creation of area the place rumblings of true authenticity could burst forth.
Sharing that the persona, WANYI, started feeling like a masks, she confides, “It made it tougher to attach with folks, and that’s after I realized one thing wasn’t proper.”
She continues, “I’ve been determining how they will each coexist – how I can merge them in a method that feels proper.”
What arrives is a glowing new single, with gray hues and gliding vocals that orbit in a dream-like state of visible richness. On the observe, she shares additional, “I wrote this track aiming to seize the sensation of spiralling and being misplaced, in addition to the repetitive but non-linear means of shifting on from a previous relationship. ‘shadow of you’ is about understanding a relationship is over however being unable to get the particular person’s essence and voice out of your head. Self-discovery has additionally been a major recurring theme in my life these previous few years – studying who I’m by myself, understanding what I believe and really feel with out the ‘shadow’ of different folks’s opinions and judgments, and recognising which beliefs belong to me and which belong to others.”
Atwood Journal sat down with Wanyi to debate her journey in music to this point, the conception of “shadow of you,” and what’s to come back subsequent in her music.
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Stream: “shadow of you” – Celine Wanyi
A CONVERSATION WITH CELINE WANYI
Atwood Journal: Congratulations on “shadow of you”! I actually love the track, and it’s popping out in just a few days. How are you gearing up for the discharge? How do you’re feeling?
Celine Wanyi: I’m actually excited. I really feel like I’ve been engaged on this new physique of labor for a very long time. We’ve been very cautious about it – after I say “we,” I imply my workforce: My supervisor Leon, my inventive director T, and me. We’ve been very particular and explicit about what unique music we wish to put out as a result of it says a lot about who I’m as an artist. I’m actually excited for this new chapter. I believe lots of people have been ready for me to launch unique music. The final launch I had was in 2021, and that was throughout COVID, so I didn’t get an opportunity to market it correctly. This will probably be my first launch with the complete workforce, and I’ll additionally get to do reveals. I’ll be visiting LA, then heading again to Asia for the vacations, so I’m actually enthusiastic about it.
The observe additionally means so much artistically, when it comes to my progress. My older music was a bit experimental since I used to be nonetheless figuring issues out. I just about did my first EP by myself and discovered to provide throughout COVID. It was a really experimental time, studying easy methods to construct my residence studio and producing on my own. This time, I really feel rather more seasoned. I’ve written extra songs and practiced producing, generally not even placing them out however simply to enhance. That’s how I really feel. I’m actually enthusiastic about it. Despite the fact that “excited” sounds easy, I actually can’t wait. It feels extra official now, with a complete workforce backing me. Earlier than, it felt extra DIY, which I believe was essential to get so far. Going via that part helped me discover my course and develop a clearer imaginative and prescient for this challenge. Yeah, and we’re nonetheless impartial, so there’s nonetheless that DIY ingredient. We’re nonetheless determining easy methods to promote this and discover what works greatest for me, with out being too viral-leaning, as a result of authenticity is the primary aim for me.
You talked about “viral-leaning,” is that one thing you’re deliberately avoiding? Or is that about balancing the social media points along with your artistry?
Celine Wanyi: Properly, each! I’m fairly old style – I believe music ought to come first. All the pieces else ought to complement it. For me, it’s at all times concerning the melody, the lyrics, and the which means of the track earlier than any viral marketing campaign. Some folks may inform you to go viral, however that doesn’t actually work for me. I’m traditional; I like easy issues, like a very good hoodie, high quality espresso, high quality meals. I take pleasure in issues that final. I like consolation and stability in my relationships and friendships. If I like somebody, I follow them for a very long time. That’s simply who I’m, and I like my routine. Like, I’m a canine particular person, haha! As for virality, I believe it’s about at what price. Being viral isn’t the aim for me. So long as what I’m presenting is genuine, I’m proud of it.
Yeah, that makes numerous sense. Is it laborious so that you can block out that noise and keep centered in your music?
Celine Wanyi: We do give it some thought, and we debate it usually. I’m actually fortunate as a result of my workforce and I are very aligned when it comes to values and the way we current me publicly. To this point, the factor folks have gravitated towards probably the most is my voice, particularly with the covers on YouTube. That’s the place I’ve seen probably the most response and progress. I’m actually grateful for that as a result of it’s simply me in entrance of my laptop computer singing, and it’s superb that folks take pleasure in that.
Now, concerning the track particularly – are you able to inform us concerning the inventive course of behind “shadow of you” and what it means to you?
Celine Wanyi: Completely. “shadow of you” began a few yr in the past in LA. I used to be working with Jacob Ray, who’s an unbelievable producer. It was my first in-person session in like 5 years, as I’d been doing distant periods over Zoom. That day, I used to be nonetheless a little bit jet-lagged, having simply arrived just a few days earlier. I bear in mind considering earlier than the session that I needed to discover one thing a little bit moodier, not too uptempo since I used to be drained. I simply didn’t have the vitality for one thing high-energy. I informed Jacob I needed to strive an R&B sound, one thing that felt extra me, one thing I may loosen up to and revel in by myself, or after I’m with buddies, or within the automobile. I had completed numerous pop and dance music prior to now, however I needed to create one thing that match my vibe. He completely understood and simply began a drum loop. From there, the track simply occurred. We had the entire track in about an hour. It was tremendous quick and actually flowed naturally.
After we begin writing, we normally construct the observe first, then do vocal passes and melody traces. However for this, I hopped on the mic, and the primary cross ended up being the complete melody of the track, which was loopy. We had the primary half of the track, together with the lyrics, completed inside an hour. It was actually fast.
That’s loopy. Is that the way you normally write? Do you have a tendency to write down songs within the studio, or do you deliver concepts that you’ve got already labored on?
Celine Wanyi: Each. Typically I write as a type of catharsis – like after I’m actually in it and wish to specific myself. Throughout these occasions, I’d make a loop at residence or get one thing from another person that simply clicks, and I’ll use that. It actually relies upon. Typically I are available with only a idea. For “shadow of you”, for instance, I had the thought of “shadow” and the idea of somebody’s essence staying with you after a relationship ends. With that concept in thoughts, I simply went in and flowed with it. So it was very a lot a stream-of-consciousness type of factor. I wasn’t attempting to assume too laborious about it; I used to be simply expressing what was happening in my head. I believe that’s why it really works – it’s not about saying I’m anxious, however about expressing how I really feel after I’m anxious and what occurs in my thoughts in these moments.
It’s superb that it simply got here collectively that method.
Celine Wanyi: Yeah, I believe the very best songs do this. It simply flows. I believe being jet-lagged contributed to the haziness of it – I wasn’t overthinking it, which most likely helped!
What concerning the symbolism? You talked about it’s about how somebody’s essence or shadow stays with you after the connection ends. Are you able to broaden on that idea?
Celine Wanyi: Once I was writing, I had this unusual picture in my head – it was like a black-and-white, grayish scene. I may see this particular person’s face, however they have been distant. You couldn’t actually see them clearly, they usually have been strolling previous you. That’s how I envisioned it. It was like this particular person’s essence was there, however they have been far-off, and also you couldn’t fairly grasp them.
And that’s type of just like the imagery you utilized in your video!
Celine Wanyi: Yeah, it was like one idea, one singular body, capturing that essence from the get-go. I discover it actually helps when I’ve a visible concept in thoughts – it makes writing a lot simpler. If I’ve a visible, a title, or one thing particular to say, that’s after I assume I write the very best.
So, do you draw inspiration from issues that occur to you, or do you get concepts from visuals – like pictures or films – and write based mostly on that?
Celine Wanyi: It’s normally based mostly on private expertise, particularly if a photograph resonates with me or if it’s a visible illustration of how I really feel about one thing. For instance, with “shadow of you”, I had this hazy picture in my head of an individual strolling by, however you couldn’t see their face clearly. That visible helped me seize the sensation of somebody’s essence staying with you after a relationship ends. It’s laborious to elucidate – it’s not an actual science. Completely different songs come collectively in several methods.
I believe that’s actually attention-grabbing. It’s cool that you simply get impressed by visuals as properly, as a substitute of simply emotions or experiences.
Celine Wanyi: Visuals are enormous for me. In my residence studio in Hong Kong, I’ve the Phillips Hue bulbs. They’re superb. They utterly change the vibe of the room. You realize, you go right into a room with these ceiling lights, and it’s simply so bland, however then you definitely activate the ground lights, and abruptly the entire area feels completely different with that ambient lighting. That’s when the very best songs come out.
You talked about that you simply hadn’t launched music shortly, and also you additionally not too long ago rebranded your self from simply WANYI to Celine. May you broaden on this? And what this symbolises for you when it comes to a brand new chapter?
Celine Wanyi: I believe WANYI started feeling a little bit like I used to be carrying a masks. It’s a stage identify, and in my private life, solely a few folks referred to as me that – my dad when chatting with me in Mandarin, and my grandma. Everybody else calls me Celine. It began to really feel extra like a persona. For instance, after I’d go to an occasion and somebody would say, “Hello, WANYI,” it didn’t really feel private. It felt like a wall had been constructed. They knew me via social media, and I didn’t really feel like I may absolutely loosen up or be myself. It was undoubtedly a psychological factor. I believe it needed to do with the truth that I had created this model of myself with all these aspirations and targets, and I felt like I needed to current that model publicly. But it surely made it tougher to attach with folks, and that’s after I realized one thing wasn’t proper. I needed to work on it extra.
Having a stage identify works for some folks, like Chappell Roan, for instance, who is ready to specific extra via a stage identify. Despite the fact that WANYI is nearer to my actual identify, Celine is how everybody calls me. So, having my precise first identify feels extra genuine to me. It simply feels higher.
I see! It’s virtually just like the identify created a detachment between your self and your viewers. Which makes numerous sense, as a result of that’s all about your id as an artist.
Celine Wanyi: Precisely. Now when folks say Celine, I’m like, “Yeah, that’s me.” I believe I’m lastly in a position to be myself. It’s one thing I’ve been engaged on in remedy, combining the concepts of Celine and WANYI. I’ve been determining how they will each coexist – how I can merge them in a method that feels proper.
Do you assume being the artist WANYI impacted the music you have been making? Like, did you’re feeling extra indifferent out of your music too?
Celine Wanyi: Yeah, not essentially indifferent from the music itself. Music has at all times been a method for me to specific myself. I believe the detachment got here extra from feeling like I needed to make WANYI into one thing extra than simply myself. I felt like Celine wasn’t ok, or wasn’t ok to make the music that I needed to make. I needed to be one thing else. It was like an outdoor expectation on me, however it was nonetheless me, you recognize? It’s one thing I’m nonetheless working via. It’s a stress that I placed on myself, and I’m studying to let go of that.
Thanks for sharing that. I believe “shadow of you” is mostly a nice marker of your progress on that entrance. Do you will have any influences in any respect whenever you work in your music?
Celine Wanyi: I undoubtedly have influences, and there are artists I like to hearken to, however for this track, I don’t assume there was anybody particular affect. Which was each cool and terrifying. It was actually simply me. And that was cool as a result of I wasn’t attempting to make it sound like something particular – it simply was what it was. But it surely was additionally scary as a result of I used to be like, how does my voice sit on this combine? There was no reference for that. I had to determine issues like: What number of vocals ought to I add? How ought to I prepare them? Does it want extra devices? All of that was a means of figuring it out myself.
However that should even have been empowering, to create one thing that is completely your individual.
Celine Wanyi: Yeah, precisely. It felt empowering, like I used to be lastly simply proudly owning my sound. This was me in my purest type. Creatively, I wasn’t attempting to check myself to anybody. It was simply, Celine, does this sound good to you? And that’s why I believe the track is resonating with folks – it’s simply me, utterly genuine. It’s like a symbolic return.
Let’s speak a bit extra in your music journey. You’ve gotten such an attention-grabbing path! You’ve got been posting music for some time, you sing in a number of octaves, and also you graduated from Berklee – all enormous issues. What’s your journey been like for you?
Celine Wanyi: The journey has been each difficult and rewarding. Berklee was superb – it gave me the instruments I wanted and expanded my data on a technical degree. However past that, I additionally began working with a vocal coach named Shelley, who’s an opera singer based mostly in New York. We do Zoom lessons, and he or she’s actually helped me unlock numerous my potential. I discovered that I’m a coloratura soprano, which suggests I’ve a really excessive voice sort, and my increased notes come rather more naturally to me than the decrease ones. It’s truly a little bit of a shock – earlier than I began working with Shelley, I didn’t understand how a lot potential my higher vary had. I at all times assumed it was tougher for me to sing excessive, however the excessive notes include rather more ease. The truth is, I get extra drained singing low notes than I do after I sing excessive notes, which is wild!
It’s virtually like a funnel. My decrease vary is lighter and airier, and it doesn’t have as a lot depth or physique to it. However after I sing increased, all the things simply clicks into place if I’ve the precise resonance and assist. I’ve even been in a position to unlock my whistle register, which I had no concept I used to be able to doing. It’s fairly surreal.
Did you at all times know you needed to pursue music?
Celine Wanyi: Yeah, rising up, I used to be principally listening to pop music – artists like Celine Dion, Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston, and naturally, when Ariana Grande launched her first album, I used to be obsessed! I additionally cherished boy bands – NSYNC, Backstreet Boys, Westlife – the entire pop scene. I cherished how they harmonized, and I actually related with the best way they sang. Once I was in highschool, I acquired actually into jazz and R&B, and that was one thing that deepened after I went to Berklee. Berklee is understood for its jazz program, so the entire concord I discovered there was rooted in jazz. It felt like a pure development, and I cherished how jazz allowed me to discover completely different rhythms, vocal methods, and harmonies. I believe my love for these genres actually formed the best way I method music now.
Singing and songwriting got here first for me. I didn’t have formal vocal coaching – my coaching was extra like karaoke and studying from singers I admired. I grew up watching Disney films and listening to numerous pop music, which formed my love for music. I did some singing competitions, however pop music may be very completely different from classical coaching, so it’s been a studying expertise.
So how would you say you discovered your individual sound?
Celine Wanyi: I believe my journey has been about determining easy methods to characterize myself authentically. With so many influences, it was about mixing them into one thing that felt uniquely mine. One factor I’ve been specializing in is easy methods to produce my very own music and write songs that really replicate who I’m. Writing songs is one factor, however creating music that basically appears like me – that’s a complete completely different problem. However I believe that’s the fantastic thing about all of it. It’s a means of determining what works for my voice, what feels true to me, after which discovering methods to share that with others.
What was it wish to go from producing your individual music to working with a producer on “shadow of you”?
Celine Wanyi: It’s undoubtedly been extra collaborative. It’s like being a chef who’s working alongside one other chef within the kitchen, simply bouncing concepts forwards and backwards. You’re discussing what components so as to add, what may elevate the dish. That type of collaboration actually opens up your inventive thoughts. That mentioned, I nonetheless love dealing with my very own vocals. I believe that’s the place I actually shine – arranging my very own harmonies, including vocal stacks, and understanding easy methods to carry out it greatest for my voice. Having that management over the vocal components is one thing I actually respect.
I love a lot that you simply take the reins by yourself vocal manufacturing. I don’t assume folks realise how laborious that’s.
Celine Wanyi: Completely. You actually must be meticulous – virtually obsessive about it. You’re considering, okay, we have to repair this half at bar 16, after which let’s modify the outro at bar 34, and it’s numerous forwards and backwards. But it surely’s additionally rewarding whenever you get it proper, despite the fact that it may be overwhelming at occasions.
Was producing one thing that you simply have been at all times fascinated by, or did it come out of necessity?
Celine Wanyi: It got here out of necessity. I acquired annoyed with folks not understanding precisely what I needed to create, so I assumed, “If I wish to talk my imaginative and prescient higher, I have to learn to produce myself.” It’s type of a problem-solving device for me.
Let’s speak about self-discovery, which has been an enormous theme for you lately. How does that issue into your music now?
Celine Wanyi: Self-discovery, for me, has been about maturing and understanding myself higher. Over the previous couple of years, I’ve gone via some powerful private experiences. A few of them have been troublesome, like coping with heartbreak, loss, and disappointments in relationships. However via all of that, I’ve additionally discovered to like and maintain myself extra. I’d describe my music now as heartbreak remedy. It’s a strategy to course of these feelings and experiences.
I really like that. And also you’ve additionally talked about how your multicultural background has influenced your artistry. May you inform us extra about that?
Celine Wanyi: Yeah, it’s undoubtedly formed my music. I suppose it’s part of me that comes out naturally. Navigating the mix of my Japanese upbringing with Western music is one thing I’m nonetheless exploring, particularly when it comes to reaching my viewers. It’s undoubtedly an ongoing course of. Even one thing so simple as determining the very best time zone to publish content material for my followers throughout completely different areas can really feel like a balancing act. However in relation to the music, it’s about determining easy methods to characterize my upbringing with out feeling restricted. I’m nonetheless working via that, however it’s one thing I hope to discover extra in future music.
Do you assume cultural affect is one thing you need to steadiness in your profession?
Celine Wanyi: It’s difficult, for certain. Rising up in an Asian household, there’s numerous stress to not disappoint your loved ones and to reach a method that meets their expectations. I believe I’m nonetheless studying easy methods to steadiness staying true to myself whereas additionally contemplating my household’s expectations. It’s about making myself proud, with out letting anybody else down within the course of, and that’s undoubtedly one thing I’m nonetheless determining. It’s one thing I’ve been exploring so much. And truthfully, it’s type of lovely how my upbringing has formed the music I make. It simply occurs naturally. I believe it’s a part of who I’m, and whether or not I’m consciously attempting to do it or not, my cultural influences come out in my sound. And I believe that’s actually particular.
I believe that is incredible as a result of I actually didn’t develop up with many artists that appeared like me, so it’s actually cool to see you centering that whereas taking such a management over your craft.
Celine Wanyi: Yeah I additionally assume persons are nonetheless studying easy methods to speak about Asian music in the precise method. I believe I’m studying too. Like, I don’t actually know the precise proper phrases to make use of, and I’m figuring that out too on this journey. That’s actually as a result of there’s no person like us within the trade. Like for those who say ‘artist of colour’ it’s additionally like, I wouldn’t be referred to as that in Asia. And I don’t see my music being particular to Asia both. I do assume it’s vital to say that, as a result of as a lot as I’m from Asia, being pro-Asia just isn’t the message. The message I wanna put out is to be your self in no matter type that’s, and to study to like all of the components of your self, even those that aren’t essentially all glamorous, and like, that’s what I actually wish to say. I believe my upbringing simply occurs to be my upbringing.
How did “shadow of you” assist you to develop as an artist?
Celine Wanyi: “shadow of you” is certainly darker than what I had been writing earlier than, when it comes to identical to moodiness and heat, and thematically too. So undoubtedly there’s progress in that method, but additionally, I believe it challenged me to be a little bit extra unconventional or inventive with the best way I produce my vocals. I’m not singing loudly on this track – it’s fairly low when it comes to the register, however it’s undoubtedly in a really heat place in my voice. So, you recognize, having to determine easy methods to sing that the very best and make it sound easy and smoky. Like, I needed to maintain it as straightforward as doable, easy as doable. And to really feel like a prepare of thought, like a monologue. In order that was undoubtedly difficult, however so enjoyable. And likewise determining the place my voice sits within the track was actually enjoyable too. It undoubtedly pushed me creatively.
And what does the track characterize to you within the trajectory of your profession?
Celine Wanyi: A step in a extra creative course, for certain. I believe being extra daring creatively. I believe traditionally, my previous music has been very clear and my final EP – it was very clear and really, not colourful, however one thing extra colourful. Um, this one, you recognize, we’re going with a totally completely different method. So yeah, I’m excited.
Are you able to tease something about what’s coming subsequent with this EP?
Celine Wanyi: There are some… there’s one dance track. There’s one ballad. It’s gonna be very melodic and really introspective. It’s gonna be very blue. It’s moody, for certain.
I really like that. And at last, what do you hope audiences will take away from this observe?
Celine Wanyi: I hope they will reside with it and undertake it, and you recognize, have it taking part in within the background of their lives. I do know that’s been the case for me once we made it. It’s simply been residing in my head and on loop in me and my workforce’s lives. I find it irresistible a lot, and I believe it simply units the temper for any room that you simply’re in. I additionally hope that, you recognize, perhaps it encourages folks to be a little bit extra open with how they really feel and extra compassionate.
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