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 High 5 hits, a U.S. radio No.1, thousands and thousands 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 Mild’.
On this open dialog, we chatted about his love for 60’s and 70’s music, classic instrumentation, co-producing your complete album, the inspiration behind his intimate lyricism, and the real-life moments he’s most happy 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 happy 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 methods did you utilize to craft this recent model?
Sure, it does! That is the primary album of mine that I’ve produced utterly from high 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 lots 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 constructions and melodies, was to have some actually unbelievable musicians play on it.
Each instrument on this album is an actual individual taking part in an actual instrument, getting recorded in an actual studio – and I believe that makes an enormous distinction while 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 deliver their finest to the songs. Vocally we approached it in a extra fashionable method, as my voice lends itself to fashionable pop in such a particular method, however we nonetheless let the songs breathe far more than we’d in a typical pop tune association. We approached the vocal results in a barely completely different method as effectively. 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 means of this complete album. In actual fact, 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 truly present up in your life within the good and dangerous occasions? I requested this query to each tune author in each write for this album and the responses had been actually unbelievable. Nearly each individual, after pondering laborious 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 associates. Moments between mother and father and youngsters, or husbands and spouse’s. These sacred occasions that we regularly 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. Wanting again, what’s your proudest second and why?
I believe my proudest second is after I take a look at my actual life – my spouse and youngsters. I’ve a very good marriage and spouse that helps and loves me. I’ve good youngsters – I actually assume we’re elevating nice little people… after I can proper facet my expectations of my profession and see that it has allowed me to reside that actuality, I can’t assist however really feel happy with each stage and each tune that introduced me to this place.
Strictly musically talking, nevertheless, I’ve been taking part in and travelling since I used to be 10 years previous – I’ve seen some unbelievable success and a few extremely laborious occasions as effectively. Sure, I’ve obtained to share some phases, or play within the shut neighborhood of some enormous stars (if music they at all times depend that as opening to your biographies sake, ha!), and now 30 years in I’m capable of launch an album that I believe is my finest work but. I really feel extremely proud to nonetheless be capable to do that and launch trustworthy music. My hope is it might deliver pleasure to somebody on the market and perhaps give them the braveness to do some enjoyable and trustworthy issues with their lives as effectively, no matter that is perhaps.
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 executed. Sonically it is going to take you on a really completely different experience – however I actually assume it’s a very good 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 may at all times get you in your dancefloor with out fail?
Sure! and there are even a couple of extra which can be approaching the total size that you simply’ll take pleasure in as effectively. A go-to hit in that vein for me might be Earth, Wind, and Fireplace’s ‘September’.
With hits like ‘A Little Mild’, 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 one more ballad that finishes the album known as ‘Good Days’. I wrote it for my youngsters and it will get me each time. The remainder of the album is filled with life and power. Track after tune of soulful, funky, classic vibes and I believe it’s possible you’ll actually take pleasure in it!
Will you be planning any performances to have a good time 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 return 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 help this album very effectively, however sure, I’m already prepared to start out creating extra music. A lot of this album as has been completed for a few 12 months and a half so now we have 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 reside!
‘Roses’ Is Out On Friday, eleventh July. Pre-save right here.
Photograph: Trish Carlson
