Where can we find you right now and what are you up to?
You can find me on Instagram @cestari___ as well as on my website www.cestariofficial.com. Currently, I'm working on an upcoming project related to the single I just released titled WHEN THEY COME OUT AT NIGHT. Aside from that, I'm currently putting together more shows and appearances so everyone can get a better look at who I am as an artist.
How would you define success? What is your goal?
For me, success is achieving the primary goals you set out to accomplish, while maintaining your personal standards and ethos. My primary goal is to be an artist full-time sustainably, to be able to express the stories I believe need to be told in the forms that most resonate with me. Furthermore, to be able to do that while also having the time and financial privileges to take on projects on the side that can also enhance the communities I live and work with is something I wish to achieve throughout my lifetime.
How did you start?
My musical journey started by learning pop songs by ear on the piano, if there was a song I really liked, I knew I had to learn it. From there I started writing my own music, and eventually that led to the start of my journey as a singer and a songwriter. Listening to artists like David Bowie, Charles Mingus, and Kaoru Abe, were all incredibly inspiring to me, and their work made me wonder "how can I do what they do?"
What is a typical day in your life as an artist?
As I'm writing this, I'm a student at New York University's music business program. So the majority of my days are spent on campus either in class, at work, or practicing. In between those pockets of time, I'm always figuring out new ways to get my profile out there and interact with the industry whether it's writing, planning social media, reaching out to publications or venues. My days are all very similar but nevertheless, I still make time to create and write down ideas for songs or stories.
What worked for you marketing-wise? What advice or tips would you give to new artists?
Find your nice and figure out who your target audience is. I came into contact with an industry professional who has given me tremendously valuable advice and one of them came in the form of the question "What does your listener look like?" As I gave an answer, her questions became more specific "How old are they?" "Where do they live?" "What kind of shoes do they wear?" This series, although tedious at first, gave me an ultra-specific image of my target listener. From there, you just need to bring up that image of your listener, and many of the questions regarding marketing, how to reach out, and where to reach, will be answered much more quickly.
What do you think of AI in music?
AI can be used as an incredible tool in creative production. There is no debate that in terms of the volume of production a machine can beat a person. However, that doesn't mean that the machine's products are of a greater value, nor that we should rely solely on the machine to produce. Art is an expression of a story, perspective, or idea, it takes multiple mediums and trials for an individual to figure out how to express their idea is most sufficient for them. AI can help in producing ideas for mediums, but at the end of the day it's the artist's responsibility to piece the puzzle together themselves. With regards to the ethical and legal ramifications, we simply haven't seen a glimpse of the full capabilities of AI. In order for proper and efficient legislation to be passed, we cannot risk attempting to predict the future. To be reactionary, and let there be a cautionary tale of misuse, is the most efficient way. And given the growing rate of advancement in technology, I believe that legislation will come within the next 5 years.
Tell us about your latest or upcoming release.
On November 9th, I released WHEN THEY COME OUT AT NIGHT, a multi-part single that explores the world of nightlife, loneliness, and the addictive cycles that are woven throughout. It's by far my most ambitious work to date, and I've been incredibly excited to present it to the world. It fuses pop and jazz together in a new and intense way that will stick out. With trashing piano and saxophone solos, sensitive lyrics, soothing vocals, and a reflective poem at the end, this piece has something memorable all throughout while also exploring a world very familiar to anyone who's been inside a city. WHEN THEY COME OUT AT NIGHT is out now across all streaming platforms.
Photo creds: Natalia Kempthorne-Curiel
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cestari___/?hl=en
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/038QrLny84OqxerVdMxwvx?si=eDo98iBrTLaciTHqepNvlw