CECILIA CASTLEMAN ALBUM RELEASE AT THE BLUE ROOM

Cecilia Castleman at The Blue Room in Nashville

Nashville singer/songwriter Cecilia Castleman is no stranger to the spotlight. In her short career, she has already found herself supporting artists such as household names Marcus King, Ashley McBride, and Hozier. However, Castleman’s concert last Friday at Nashville’s The Blue Room held special significance. It was her birthday…and…her album release show celebrating her new self-titled record.

In the past, Castleman has described her songwriting as therapeutic—a term that often conjures thoughts of somber material. However, at The Blue Room, the night was an obvious celebration for the songwriter. Her joy of sharing her completed work was palpable.

Supported by a full band, Castleman took the stage in front of a packed house. She was ready to present an album that had been years in the making. While Cecilia Castleman the album is a mix of some of her older singles paired with new tracks, the timeline for the record goes much deeper. The influences go back to her childhood, having been raised on artists like Fleetwood Mac, The Beatles, Bonnie Raitt, and Brian Wilson. The themes are reflective and personal: love, introspection, and sometimes confessional. In other words, her entire life had led to this moment.

With the record being produced by the legendary Don Was at the perhaps even more legendary Henson Studios, one might have wondered going in how listening in real life would compare her recorded works. Adding to that challenge is The Blue Room itself. It’s design and equipment makes it a destination for sound, but can expose flaws hidden in the controlled setting of an album.

The verdict: even with emotions running high and some nerves likely flowing under the surface, Castleman displayed all the virtues that caught our attention when we first heard her on Spotify. Crisp vocals, honest delivery, and a genre-blending sound that pulls simply draw you in.

Thanks to a heavy drum beat and pulsing bass groove, “Cadillac” took on a bigger feel than the album version. The added punch highlighted the song’s message of resiliency. Castleman’s first single, “Lonely Nights,” drew a cheer from the crowd as many sang along with the familiar lyrics. The angsty and anthemic “Company” was a showcase of her vocal talent, strong and clear even while competing with a band going full throttle on the song’s rocking edge.

The most intriguing part of the night though was when Castleman and the band slowed for the her popular song “You Go Thru Girls Like You Go Thru Cigarettes.” It only took a couple opening notes for the crowd to erupt knowing one of their favorites was on the way. The word intriguing is used here because throughout the night genres such as Americana, singer/songwriter, and indie pop rock ran through our minds as we listened to Castleman’s sound. However, on “Cigarettes,” Castleman falls squarely into a retro pop vibe that, thanks to her vocal talents, demands your attention. And, while the song is clearly about the end of a relationship, it’s reflective rather than spiteful—a quality that makes it stand out from similar offerings.

While the music was the centerpiece of the evening, there were plenty of other moments to take home from the show. Top of that list was when the audience, unprompted, sang happy birthday to Castleman. There was a clear connection between the artist and those assembled to celebrate with her.

The question then is what is next if this album was built on her life so far? We have zero doubts that Castleman the songwriter will continue to find the right moments in life—whether good, bad, painful, or joyous—to craft into new songs. And with her talent for clear, yet reflective vocals and employment of a wide range of genres, we look forward to what comes next for her…after we have just a little more time to enjoy her current album and our memories from this show!