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 – attaining a number of worldwide Prime 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, traditional 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 the complete 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 venture out into the world. It’s been a venture 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 utilize to craft this contemporary fashion?
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 at all times been moved by soulful music from the 60’s and 70’s and so this document pays respect to so a lot of these greats that have come earlier than it. One of many largest issues I did to attain this, aside from deliberately writing songs with extra complicated chord buildings and melodies, was to have some actually unbelievable musicians play on it.
Each instrument on this album is an actual particular person taking part in an actual instrument, getting recorded in an actual studio – and I believe that makes an enormous distinction once you create from that viewpoint. It brings humanity, emotion, and really feel into each observe. So from the entire classic keyboards, guitars, drums, horns, and strings, we did our greatest to have some unbelievable musicians carry their finest to the songs. Vocally we approached it in a extra fashionable approach, as my voice lends itself to fashionable pop in such a selected approach, however we nonetheless let the songs breathe rather more than we’d in a typical pop tune association. We approached the vocal results in a barely completely different approach as nicely. 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 tune have its personal distinctive narrative?
Sure, there’s completely a theme that runs by way of this entire album. The truth is, I wrote each tune 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 really present up in your life within the good and unhealthy instances? I requested this query to each tune author in each write for this album and the responses had been actually unbelievable. Nearly each particular person, after pondering onerous about it, stated that God meets them in the entire, seemingly, small, regular, and insignificant moments of their lives essentially the most. Time with their households and mates. 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 tune on this album is a response to that query and are the entire alternative ways we see God interacting with us in our regular lives.
You’ve achieved some wonderful milestones all through your profession, from taking part in 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 believe my proudest second is once I take a look at my actual life – my spouse and kids. I’ve an excellent 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 facet my expectations of my profession and see that it has allowed me to stay that actuality, I can’t assist however really feel pleased with each stage and each tune that introduced me to this place.
Strictly musically talking, nonetheless, I’ve been taking part in and travelling since I used to be 10 years outdated – I’ve seen some unbelievable success and a few extremely onerous instances as nicely. Sure, I’ve obtained to share some phases, or play within the shut neighborhood of some large stars (if you already know music they at all times rely that as opening on your biographies sake, ha!), and now 30 years in I’m in a position to launch an album that I believe is my finest work but. I really feel extremely proud to nonetheless be capable of do that and launch trustworthy music. My hope is it may possibly carry pleasure to somebody on the market and perhaps give them the braveness to do some enjoyable and trustworthy issues with their lives as nicely, no matter that is perhaps.
For longtime followers of your music, is there something sudden or stunning to anticipate from ‘Roses’?
Completely! This can be a DEPARTURE from something that I’ve ever completed. Sonically it’s going to take you on a really completely different trip – however I actually assume it’s an excellent 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 tune but. What’s a go-to hit that can at all times get you in your dancefloor with out fail?
Sure! and there are even a couple of extra which are approaching the complete size that you simply’ll get pleasure from as nicely. 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 stuffed with life and vitality. Track after tune of soulful, funky, classic vibes and I believe you might actually get pleasure from it!
Will you be planning any performances to rejoice 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 do this. I’m additionally engaged on a tour to have the option to return share these songs with individuals everywhere in 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 help this album very nicely, however sure, I’m already prepared to start out creating extra music. A lot of this album as has been completed for a couple of 12 months 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 in addition to play these songs stay!
‘Roses’ Is Out On Friday, eleventh July. Pre-save right here.
Photograph: Trish Carlson