Calista Kazuko is celebrating motherhood of all generations in her latest release ‘Panda.’ The latest offering comes as a theatrical alternative-pop single built around playful percussion, soulful piano and the artist’s incredible vocal.
At the centre of the song, is the sacred symbol of the panda, which has been an animal important to the Japanese side of the musician’s family. Speaking to us about the release, Calista says: “Panda’ is a celebration of Motherhood. A thank you to my own fabulous Mama and a thank you to the magical little Bean growing in my tummy. Now, having taken a few months dedicated to milk-stained maternal bliss, I’m so excited to share this very special song and video to celebrate Mother’s Day 2022.
My beautiful baby girl is named after her Great-great-grandmother if you go straight up the female line on my Japanese side. The super loveable, super-kawaii panda is deeply loved in our family, in fact my Granny had a whole room devoted to them!
It’s true what they say… becoming a Mother really does make you feel invincible, it’s the greatest gift I could have ever asked for!”
She released her highly anticipated debut solo album EMPRESS in November 2019, continuing to modify the norms of modern songwriting, this stunning concept album worked alongside some of the UK’s leading charities to challenge complex themes while never losing its sense of fun.
A passionate advocate for using her art as a platform for change, Calista founded charity-based arts collective Voice of Aiko in 2018 with support from Arts Council England. 2021 saw Calista lead a collaborative music making project with NHS staff called ‘Notes from the Frontline’ creating an album of songs in response to the pandemic. Her ‘Uchi’ campaign launched in June 2021 for Refugee Week in collaboration with Migrant Help.
In evermore exciting news, Calista is penning her debut music-theatre piece, a collaboration with playwright Stephanie Martin, premiering in Spring 2022 with support from Help Musicians UK. It’s certainly going to be an exciting 2022.
