Colbie Caillat, the singer-songwriter known for her breezy pop hits like “Bubbly,” is now making waves in the country music scene. As she prepares for her upcoming show in Columbus, she opens up about her journey into country music, her love for covers, and her collaborations with other artists.
Caillat first gained fame in 2007 when “Bubbly” became a massive hit, especially on MySpace, where she was one of the most popular unsigned artists. Since then, she has headlined tours, won two Grammys, and collaborated with industry giants like Babyface and Taylor Swift. Now, at 39, Caillat is exploring new musical territories.
On Sunday, Caillat will perform at Columbus Commons alongside fellow singer-songwriter Gavin DeGraw. The free concert has already seen all its tickets claimed, highlighting the excitement surrounding the event. The Dispatch recently caught up with Caillat to discuss her latest album, “Along the Way,” her dream collaborations, and her friendship with DeGraw.
**A Natural Progression to Country Music**
Caillat’s latest album, “Along the Way,” marks a significant shift from her pop roots to country music. When asked about this transition, she explained that it felt like a natural progression. “Since the beginning of my career, I’ve been coming to Nashville; it really felt like home away from home,” she said. Despite being categorized as a pop artist, Caillat never felt entirely at home in that genre. “I love steel guitar and dobro… it just feels kind of natural,” she added.
**Covering Diverse Genres**
Caillat has a knack for covering songs from various genres, including Roberta Flack’s “Killing Me Softly,” Lauryn Hill’s “Tell Him,” and Sister Sledge’s “We Are Family.” Recently, she has been covering Post Malone’s “Circles” and Brooks & Dunn’s “Neon Moon.” “I grew up with all different genres of music; I was raised on harmonies and heartbreaking lyrics, which I absolutely love,” she said. Caillat hinted that she might start looking for a new batch of songs to cover soon.
**Influence of R&B**
Caillat’s love for R&B is evident in her choice of cover songs. She credits Lauryn Hill as a significant influence. “The first time I knew I wanted to sing was when I heard Lauryn Hill sing ‘His Eye Is on the Sparrow’ in ‘Sister Act 2.’ That someone’s voice could sound that beautiful and effortless is amazing,” she said. Hill’s work with the Fugees and her solo album “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill” left a lasting impact on Caillat.
**Dream Collaborations**
When it comes to dream collaborations, Caillat has a few names on her list. “Post Malone, Coldplay — working with Chris Martin would be a dream, Morgan Wallen,” she said. She also revealed that she is working on a collaboration album with various artists, a project that has been in the works for several years but was delayed due to the pandemic. “Now, it just feels right,” she added.
**Friendship with Gavin DeGraw**
Caillat and DeGraw share a close friendship, often performing together. They last performed in Columbus at a benefit concert and have continued to collaborate since then. “We’re best friends; we see each other all the time! He’s in Nashville a lot of the time,” she said. The upcoming show at Columbus Commons will feature both artists performing separately and together. “We’ll be sharing a band and doing all of our songs throughout our careers, plus some cover songs together. It’ll be a mix-up of him and me with audience interaction. It’s going to be really fun with good energy,” Caillat said.
**Future Plans**
Looking ahead, Caillat has a busy schedule. “We just have a week of shows this August, playing some festivals in California and Florida and the U.K. I took a lot of the summer off to travel for fun. I have a lot of trips booked with friends and family that I’m really looking forward to,” she said.
As Caillat continues to explore new musical landscapes, her fans can look forward to more exciting projects and performances. Her transition into country music and her ongoing collaborations promise to bring fresh and captivating experiences for her audience.
Source: The Columbus Dispatch
