The Indie Artist of the week

Castella Castella

Today marks one year since the Castella launch!! The journey continues for me! What a year I’ve had! Looking back on my year, I’ve made so much progress in the right direction. I’ve had a few hiccups along the way, but I pressed my way through...through tears, anger, disappointment, confusion, more anger, sadness... I found joy, some light in my tunnel, because certainly, I am not at the end.

So what in the heck happened? 

The first blow was being asked to resigned from my Executive job of about two years. Things had become weird, political...not cool, but I never envisioned someone completely giving up on me. It stung, it hurt, it still does... it was unimaginable because I, had always played it safe, taking the job was risky because the person in charge could come in one day and essentially say, I don’t like you anymore, please leave. That happened to me and I was shocked by it, but not surprised.  Especially when you’ve seen what you’re dealing with. But there I was, faced with the decision to go look for another HR job or put a bow on this career and do something else. But what else am I good at? I had just finished the EP. I’ll admit, I was a little afraid to put myself out there and start performing, but I had no choice, this was my time, my window had opened, the door had closed, a giant hole had been blown out and well, it was time to make the exit, escape from my safe career...I escaped.

A few things happened... I started hanging out in the music community, meeting people, introducing myself. Hanging out with my good friend Charlotte mostly...she let me tag along... it was awesome! Me out, at a bar, on a Monday night, a Wednesday night, sometimes Thursday, shoot everyday, supporting other singers and musicians. No one had really heard me sing, except Char and she always pumped me up.  This went on for a bit, until Darryl said, your EP has been out for a while now, you need to get out there...he had complete confidence in me and gave me the sweet nudge I needed.  I believe it was September or October 2019, my Sorority sisters went to an event at a local jazz spot and took pictures with the artist afterwards. He looked nice, after all, he took pics with my Sorors!! So I took it upon myself to send him a message asking to open up for him. To my surprise, he responded! Oh shoot!! I wasn’t ready! What if he says, come open up Saturday...I didn’t call him!! Once I got myself ready, fear set in a bit. Fast forward to church one Sunday, I believe this was late October, my pastor’s message touched me. He said, take action, that action could change your life! It was time to call, so Monday morning, I got up the courage and I called him. He called me back! Even after I failed to follow through on two occasions!