Andrew Hamlin
Northwest Asia Weekly
Carly Ann Calbero in the Olympic Sculpture Park (Photo: Caedmon Calbero)
Carly Ann Calbero knows that artists must make sacrifices to reach their destination. But she also knows that it is okay to ask for help from a parent or guardian.
“So my dad gave me this guitar on my birthday. He taught me a few chords, and my little sister can play the chords,” recalled the singer, who held it at the Royal Room in Columbia City on November 12th. There was a record release party.
“[Dad] Tell me to figure it out. I think he did eventually change the strings for me, but like most things, I learn how to play by watching and listening. I would watch the band perform live on YouTube and then squint at their hands. A few books, I pressed a lot of keys on my CD player to play, pause and rewind. It wasn’t until college that I took the first formal guitar lesson. “
Calbero was born in Hawaii, but arrived in Marysville north of Seattle with her Filipino father and Japanese mother around 1996. The guitar she received on her birthday was an Ibanez three-quarters the normal size, which she still owns and plays.
The school took her to Liberty Elementary School, Marysville Pilchuck High School and Edmonds Community College to start running programs. She sang in the choir, formed a high school band, and toured the country in 2016.
“I don’t know if my Asian identity will affect my songwriting,” Calbero reflected, “but being considered’other people’ will affect me.’Into the Fray’ is a song I wrote about feeling lost and lonely Song, but jumped into the battle anyway.
“Seeing the news about our elders being attacked and hearing about the treatment of Asians during the pandemic made me and many others feel helpless in an already tense situation. I like to think that when we get to those moments , We have two options-retreat or extend a helping hand to overcome this together.”
She recorded her first album “Science of Pride” in the home studio shared with her fiance. She learned how to make soundboards, and in the process meticulously upgraded most of her equipment.
Street performances in public also helped her hone her skills.
“The most interesting comment I got was that I didn’t sound like me. Once, a slightly drunk man came up to me and said that I sounded like a Chinese hillbilly. Although that comment was lame, he meant it. It’s really a compliment. He has no vocabulary, and he has never been in contact with anyone who looks like me or sounds like him.
Carly Ann Calbero (Photo by Caedmon Calbero)
“Since I grew up in Marysville, I have a loud voice, I can make a little noise. When people turn a corner and are surprised to see a 5’2” Asian woman, I always smile a little, And they are waiting for others. “
When asked about her favorite songs on the album, she picked out the title song and other songs.
“‘Science of Pride’ and’Hazel Eyes’ are the two songs I’m most proud of because they really sum up this album. There is so much courage and frustration in “Science of Pride”, I think this It came from my voice, how painful and dangerous pride is.
“‘Hazel Eyes’ is a complete love song. This is the other side of the coin. Pride is an asset. This is confidence. It inspires our determination. It gives us the ability to be ourselves and do some crazy things, such as Express our love to others.”
Her plans for the future combine romance and pragmatism.
“I will get married a month after the show, which is really exciting. After a few years in the house, I look forward to touring again and playing with other musicians as much as possible.”
Andrew can be at info@nwasianweekly.com.
