Cali Rodi is a vibrant artist quickly climbing the ranks of both the Nashville and Los Angeles music scene. Her lively personality and shameless style has already caught the eye of country legend, Keith Urban, and is guaranteed to make waves in the music business.
Rodi’s material consistently hits the right note by taking a bold approach to the heart and soul of country music and her newly released single, “Cake,” offers an emotional, yet edgy look into a relatable past relationship.
Talk a little about the inspiration behind your newest single, “Cake”?
I wrote “Cake” after talking to a guy for a year who kept putting off being exclusive. He wanted me all to himself, but he could do whatever and whoever he wanted. As the saying goes, he wanted to “have his cake and eat it too.” The funny thing is he heard the song and asked if it was about him… I just responded with nervous laughter so I think he got the message.
When did you know you wanted to pursue music as a career? Did anyone in particular inspire your passion or decision?
Growing up, I would tie up my shirt to look like Britney Spears and sing Disney songs around the piano while my grandma played. I was always putting on “shows” for hours singing all my favorite songs (usually the Oops! I Did It Again album in its entirety). When I was nine, I picked up the guitar and started writing my own music and that’s when the game changed for me.
What’s it like splitting your time between Nashville and LA? Do you have a favorite or ever see yourself committing to one or the other?
I think Nashville and LA are equally responsible for creating the me I am today. I moved to Nashville from Arizona right out of high school and lived there for five years. In Nashville, it’s all about the song. And I love that. I love words and live and breathe lyrics. I learned how to write songs there and their songwriting community is unlike anything else in the world. With that being said, I just moved to Los Angeles a few weeks ago and am totally head over heels in love with this city. It’s full of endless opportunities and inspiration…and it has the beach and Disneyland which is obviously a plus! So right now LA and I are in a committed relationship (what a concept!).
Talk a little about your involvement with Keith Urban’s new publishing company, Boom! How did that opportunity come about and what’s it like working with Urban? Are there any inside scoops / projects you can preview?
Yes! Keith was one of my guitar heroes growing up, so it is a dream come true to be signed to his publishing company. To have someone of his caliber believe in my writing is surreal. I was playing an event in a parking lot in Jacksonville, Florida where Keith’s business partner’s best friend was in the audience. It was such a meant to be thing. I’m so thankful for their belief in what I do. Right now I’m mostly working on my own project and am really looking forward to releasing a few more singles and an EP this year!
Nowadays, musicians and artists can build huge platforms thanks to social media, but a large online presence can be draining. How do you balance what you do and what you show the world? Do you feel social media and trending topics play an influential role in your music?
I try and stay off my phone as much as possible, especially when I’m in a creative zone or with friends. It’s something I’m working on. I’m a pretty open book, but all of me comes out in my songs. Pop culture definitely plays a role in my music, I think it’s important to know what’s going on in the world. A lot of us are going through the exact same things, and when you figure that out, you feel a lot less alone.
Speaking of social media, what can people follow you on?
I have a crazy fun music video for my song “Party Favor” that’s on Youtube where I basically save all my friends from creepy guys at a party. I also have Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook and all are under @CaliRodi. I love to follow people back and see what they have going on in their lives too!
Are you working on any other exciting, forthcoming projects that you want people to know about?
Yes! I’m shooting a music video for “Cake” this week and I’m really stoked about it. It’s being shot in a real life sized doll house in Hollywood.. and there’s going to be a lot of cake batter and frosting involved.
Do you have any advice for aspiring artists or bands in the field? How has your success story panned out? Are you happy with your “style?”
There are so many times where I think a golden opportunity is presenting itself only to be let down. And EVERY SINGLE time something even better comes along that goes beyond my wildest dreams. It sounds cliché, but everything happens for a reason. When it comes to my style, I’m so proud of what I’ve established. I grew up worshipping artists like Katy Perry in the Teenage Dream era and I’m not necessarily trying to recreate those sounds, but I am trying to recreate the FEELING you get when you’d listen to those records. In my own sparkly glitter bomb way, of course.
Any last thoughts?
Thank you SO much, from the bottom of my heart, to anybody who is listening to my music. This is the very beginning of this crazy journey, and I’m so thankful to have you by my side along for the ride. If you like the song, show a friend. Let’s get this thing spreading like wildfire. All the love xo
