Mainstream pop band Stars Go Dim – AKA acclaimed artist and songwriter Chris Cleveland – has enchanted audiences along with his uplifting songwriting. Over the previous 15 years, he has carved out a particular presence within the music world – reaching a number of worldwide High 5 hits, a U.S. radio No.1, tens of millions of streams, and collaborating with legends like Elton John and John Mayer.
Now, he embraces a brand new chapter along with his new retro-inspired album, ‘Roses’, that includes the soulful funk of lead single ‘Mama Don’t Lie (Alright)’, to the wistful, basic balladry of ‘A Little Gentle’.
On this open dialog, we chatted about his love for 60’s and 70’s music, classic instrumentation, co-producing all the album, the inspiration behind his intimate lyricism, and the real-life moments he’s most pleased with.
Congratulations on the discharge of your brand-new album, ‘Roses’. How does it really feel to be releasing your subsequent full-length physique of labor?
Thanks a lot! It actually feels nice to lastly get this undertaking out into the world. It’s been a undertaking that I’m extraordinarily pleased with and I’m so excited to have the ability to share it with the world.
The album evokes a brand new retro-pop sound. What preparations and strategies did you employ to craft this contemporary type?
Sure, it does! That is the primary album of mine that I’ve produced fully from prime to backside, together with the assistance of some nice collaborators. I’ve all the time been moved by soulful music from the 60’s and 70’s and so this file pays respect to so a lot of these greats that have come earlier than it. One of many largest issues I did to realize this, aside from deliberately writing songs with extra advanced chord buildings and melodies, was to have some actually unbelievable musicians play on it.
Each instrument on this album is an actual particular person enjoying an actual instrument, getting recorded in an actual studio – and I feel that makes an enormous distinction while you create from that viewpoint. It brings humanity, emotion, and really feel into each observe. So from all the classic keyboards, guitars, drums, horns, and strings, we did our greatest to have some unbelievable musicians deliver their finest to the songs. Vocally we approached it in a extra fashionable means, as my voice lends itself to fashionable pop in such a particular means, however we nonetheless let the songs breathe rather more than we’d in a typical pop track association. We approached the vocal results in a barely totally different means as properly. A lot credit score to my co-producer, John Strandell for serving to me hone in on that sound. He’s actually unbelievable at what he does.
Are you able to inform us what impressed the album’s lyrics? Does a theme run all through, or does every track have its personal distinctive narrative?
Sure, there may be completely a theme that runs by means of this entire album. The truth is, I wrote each track with a single thought/query in thoughts; and that’s this – “Who’s God to you, in actual life? Not what you’ve heard, learn, hope, and many others. However how does God truly present up in your life within the good and unhealthy instances? I requested this query to each track author in each write for this album and the responses had been actually unbelievable. Virtually each particular person, after pondering exhausting about it, stated that God meets them in all the, seemingly, small, regular, and insignificant moments of their lives probably the most. Time with their households and buddies. Moments between dad and mom and kids, or husbands and spouse’s. These sacred instances that we frequently rush previous, if we arent cautious, are the place God is interacting with us and exhibiting us glimpses of Heaven daily. So each track on this album is a response to that query and are all the other ways we see God interacting with us in our regular lives.
You’ve achieved some superb milestones all through your profession, from enjoying and writing alongside the likes of Elton John and Justin Bieber to a string of #1 radio hits. Trying again, what’s your proudest second and why?
I feel my proudest second is once I take a look at my actual life – my spouse and kids. I’ve marriage and spouse that helps and loves me. I’ve good children – I actually assume we’re elevating nice little people… once I can proper aspect my expectations of my profession and see that it has allowed me to dwell that actuality, I can’t assist however really feel pleased with each stage and each track that introduced me to this place.
Strictly musically talking, nonetheless, I’ve been enjoying and travelling since I used to be 10 years outdated – I’ve seen some unbelievable success and a few extremely exhausting instances as properly. Sure, I’ve bought to share some levels, or play within the shut neighborhood of some enormous stars (if music they all the time rely that as opening in your biographies sake, ha!), and now 30 years in I’m capable of launch an album that I feel is my finest work but. I really feel extremely proud to nonetheless have the ability to do that and launch trustworthy music. My hope is it might probably deliver pleasure to somebody on the market and possibly give them the braveness to do some enjoyable and trustworthy issues with their lives as properly, no matter that may be.
For longtime followers of your music, is there something surprising or stunning to anticipate from ‘Roses’?
Completely! This can be a DEPARTURE from something that I’ve ever achieved. Sonically it is going to take you on a really totally different journey – however I actually assume it’s one. For me, creating this album jogged my memory of why I fell in love with music within the first place and I hope it does the identical for my followers.
‘Mama Don’t Lie (Alright)’ could also be your funkiest track but. What’s a go-to hit that may all the time get you in your dancefloor with out fail?
Sure! and there are even a number of extra which are approaching the total size that you just’ll take pleasure in as properly. A go-to hit in that vein for me might be Earth, Wind, and Hearth’s ‘September’.
With hits like ‘A Little Gentle’, and ‘G.I.R.L.’ already launched, are you able to inform us extra in regards to the album’s bonus tracks and their sound?
These two songs are two of the ballads on the album – there’s yet another ballad that finishes the album referred to as ‘Good Days’. I wrote it for my children and it will get me each time. The remainder of the album is filled with life and vitality. Track after track of soulful, funky, classic vibes and I feel it’s possible you’ll actually take pleasure in it!
Will you be planning any performances to have fun the album’s launch?
Sure! I’ve the privilege to carry out at The Grand Ole Opry the week of the discharge and I’m very honored and excited to try this. I’m additionally engaged on a tour to give you the option to come back share these songs with folks all around the US and hopefully abroad.
What’s subsequent for Stars Go Dim – are you already engaged on new music, or do you favor to take longer breaks between albums?
I hope to assist this album very properly, however sure, I’m already prepared to begin creating extra music. A lot of this album as has been completed for a few yr and a half so we have now simply been ready to launch it to the general public. So sure, I’m very excited to proceed to create but additionally to play these songs dwell!
‘Roses’ Is Out On Friday, eleventh July. Pre-save right here.
Picture: Trish Carlson
