Allow me to introduce you to Cecilia Castleman. 

A gifted singer-songwriter hailing from Nashville, Tennessee, Castleman has toured all around the country, supporting headlining acts such as Marcus King and Ashley McBryde, and having performed with artists like Hozier, Sheryl Crow, Melissa Etheridge, and Teskey Brothers, just to name a few. 

Now, she’s taking center stage with her debut self-titled album, Cecilia Castleman, out today via Glassnote Records. 

While the release of the album may feel like a bit of a long time coming for the artist, her life trajectory was pretty much inevitable, growing up in a household of musicians. 

“Both of my parents were musicians, and so it was always around the house,” she explains as we chat about the forthcoming album. “There was always a guitar within reach. I just kind of grew up with it, and it was all I did. I didn’t have a ton of money growing up, so music was something that was free to do. I just became obsessed with records, and looking at credits on the back of records. I just loved it so much.” 

The musical influence of her parents introduced her to artists that she now cites as influences in her own writing, such as Fleetwood Mac, The Beatles, and Prince, among others. But Castleman was able to find herself poised for the world of songwriting and producing her own music in her own, unique way. 

“I went to engineering school to learn how to record myself. Then when I was eighteen, I got a publishing deal. Ever since then, I’ve just been trying to work really hard to make a record, and it’s been really fun.” 

The record, which now comes to full fruition, serves up thirteen dreamy tracks that are all either completely written or co-written by Castleman herself. The songs are an accumulation of songs that have been in her catalog for years, with the oldest one dating back to being written when she was seventeen years old. 

“I took the songs that I felt represented me the most, and I think they fit together pretty well,” she says of her songwriting process. “At the end of the day, it’s just my life, sort of in stereo, sounding super diaristic. It’s just me, it’s who I am.” 

Stylistically, Cecilia Castleman renders tones of an acoustic singer-songwriter, showcasing Castleman’s talent as both a songwriter, and as a vocalist. But, it’s not afraid to take twists and turns. It doesn’t sit too comfortably in any one genre. “It’s Not What I Mean,” the album’s third track, feels like a song one would find on a Sara Bareilles album, while other stand out tracks, like “You Don’t Know Me Right Now” have a flair for Castleman’s self-professed Fleetwood Mac influence. 

But all the songs can promise the personal touch by Castleman’s introspective and vulnerable songwriting. 

While every song is a worthy entry to the album, Castleman cites the last song, “Pick and Lose,” as one of special significance. 

“I think if all my secrets were in one song, that would be it,” she says. “I kind of give myself away in that song. I just listen to it, and think of myself as a kid trying to grow up and be a good person. I was always a dreamer. I would be the one in math class that would leave to go write a song. ‘Pick and Lose’ is kind of myself in three minutes.” 

A worthy final track, as it is bound to leave the listener with a lingering take on who Cecilia Castleman is as an artist. While “It’s Alright,” one of the album’s singles, makes a great first impression, “Pick and Lose” is the lasting impression. Though the entire album cohesively captures the essence of what is sure to be a rising star in the making, and just the opening entry to what will inevitably be a long discography from Castleman in the years to come. 

But she’s content for staying in the moment and just letting herself flourish in her debut. 

“I’m getting more confident every day,” she reflects. “At the beginning of this process, I was scared but fearless at the same time. I was just dipping my feet in the water, and it was my first record, so I didn’t know what to expect. I was getting in the room with all of these incredible musicians, and I was just trying to keep up. I feel like I have my feet on the ground a little more, and I feel more confident when I walk into a room than before.” 

Though, she hopes that confidence isn’t one-sided. While she takes pride in her journey thus far, and confidently looks towards the future, even dreaming up ideas of collaborating with pop artists like Calvin Harris or Daft Punk, she’s excited at the prospect of what her music can do for her listeners. 

“I hope [listeners] find themselves in my songs. I hope they see themselves, and I hope they can relate to it, maybe it’ll help them through something. It’s a very coming of age record, and it’s just tough growing up sometimes. You have to go through a lot of stuff and figure out who you are, and it’s a constant process. So, I think this record has kept me company for so long, maybe once I put it out, it’ll keep other people company. I want them to see themselves in it, not me. That’s how I made it. We all, as humans, relate to each other more than we think sometimes. So, it’s me to a T, but I hope people see themselves in it.” 

So, I’d invite you to delve into the world of Cecilia Castleman. You may just walk out with your new companion record. 

You can stream Cecilia Castleman below.