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Cat Calabrese Captivates with Fearless Vulnerability in New Release 'Want Who I Want'


Cat Calabrese  - The Cage, a music blog powered by Cage Riot
Photo provided by Lindsey Poyar (@lindseypoy)

By: Staff

Cat Calabrese Delivers a Refreshing R&B Masterpiece with "Want Who I Want"


“Want Who I Want” by Cat Calabrese is a standout R&B hit that immediately impressed us. With a smooth beat and snapping rhythm, we were serenaded by the beautiful vocals of this young and emerging artist. The first thing you’ll notice is the tremendous power and control in her voice. Every lyric is crystal clear, delivered with emotional weight and intensity, drawing listeners into the story. Her raw and honest delivery makes the performance incredibly unique. The combination of this ability to wow with her voice, combined with tremendous lyrical prowess created an amazing track.


The lyrics delve into the complexities of dating, capturing the difficulty of navigating relationships, where various obstacles often lead to unanticipated feelings. Cat’s message is relatable, sharing the struggles of finding connection amidst challenging circumstances.


Check out the excellence in this excerpt of this song:

I heard you moved where the palm trees sway

And I'm here getting colder

Didn't think twice when you looked my way

Now I'd give anything to hold ya

Tattoos and bad news just my type

(You got what I like)

Warning signs are kryptonite


The supporting arrangement is a chilled R&B track that’s electrifying yet mellow, perfectly complementing her crooning vocals. The production is impeccable, creating an immersive experience where the vocals and instrumentation blend seamlessly. Major props to the production team for delivering such a polished and pristine final product.


Cat Calabrese, a dynamic pop vocalist and songwriter from Cleveland, fearlessly channels her personal experiences into her music. Known for her raw and vulnerable lyrics, Cat fuses them with catchy, unforgettable pop melodies. Her solo career began as a form of healing from trauma, using music to reclaim her strength and power. In March 2021, she launched her career with the debut single "Quicksand," co-produced by a collaborator of Machine Gun Kelly. Since then, Cat has continued releasing singles, teaming up with renowned Cleveland producer DJ London Bridges.


Cat Calabrese delivers a refreshing, emotionally charged performance with "Want Who I Want." Her powerful vocals and honest storytelling set her apart as a rising star in the R&B scene. This track is a must-listen and showcases her immense talent and potential! If you don’t save this now, you won’t be able to say you found her first.


"You can find this on any major platform and see below for links to take you straight to some of the profiles. Make sure to playlist, stream, and share 'Want Who I Want' by Cat Calabrese."


Powerful Quote from this artist:

“I spent most of my life wanting to be a musician but most of my life too afraid to do anything about it.” - Cat Calabrese​(Offstage Tunes)


Wait….. there's more! 

We caught up with this exciting artist, for an interview in “The Cage” Music Blog, to talk about music and learn more about them.


Here’s how it went:


Begin Interview


Hello Cat Calabrese, we’re thrilled to have you for this interview! We've thoroughly enjoyed diving into your music and exploring your work, and now we’re even more eager to discover more about you, both personally and professionally.

How long have you been making music?

Just about 4 years! I released my first single in March of 2021



Was there always a desire to create music, or did you have an event in your life that made you realize this is what you want to do as a profession?

I’ve been singing all my life, but I only started sharing it a few years ago. I went through a pretty rough breakup and my ex and I used to make music together. When he left, it felt like all control had been taken from me. After we broke up, I decided to take control back and start making the kind of music I always wanted to.



Can you walk us through your songwriting process, i.e. where you like to be when you write, and where the inspiration comes from for this latest project?

It varies. A lot of times, I come up with a melody that pops into my head or that I dream about. I start to hum the melody and record a voice memo on my phone so I don’t forget it. Then I’ll start to add words just to try and feel out the direction the melody might take. Once I feel more confident in the melody, I’ll start to write the lyrics. I’ll work on the verse first and other times I focus on the chorus, it really just depends! There are also times that I start with a concept or a word or phrase that I want to center the song around and build from there. I also love to write to a beat that my producer has made.



Where do you start the production of your music, i.e. in a home recording studio or with an outside producer? How do you finalize your finished work, ie self-mixed/mastered or another source?

I do everything at home! I produce my own vocals and I work with my producer, DJ London Bridges, in Zoom sessions where we build the songs together. He mixes and masters all of my projects. I love having the total freedom that recording from home gives me. I don’t have to worry about how much studio time I have left, and don’t have to feel self conscious about trying something risky or challenging.



What was the most challenging part of bringing this project to life, from the initial idea to the final recording?

I originally wrote this song for a collaboration with a DJ in Nashville. The project was unfortunately shelved due to a change in their schedule. Since I wrote the song myself, I decided to take my melody and lyrics and rebuild it with my producer/ collaborator; we create all of my songs together. The most challenging part was finding new production that supported the song, but it actually breathed new life into the project; I was able to try so many different things that the original project did not allow for. So I’m really happy that everything unfolded the way it was supposed to!



What part of the music-making process is the most stressful, ie the creation, the actual release date, etc?

I find that social media/promotion is the most stressful part. I wish I could spend time only on the music creation process, but all independent artists know that social media feels like a full time job in itself. You feel so proud of the song you’ve just created, and it can be really frustrating and stressful finding visibility on these platforms.



Tell us about the last time you performed. Where was the show, and what was your experience like?

I performed in May of this year! It was also my first time producing a show. The goal was to showcase female pop artists in Cleveland. I worked with 2 other incredible women who host a podcast supporting local artists. Together, we partnered with a local shelter that supports women and children who are survivors of abuse. We named the event “Music Is Mother”. We did a social media campaign with a Cleveland based fashion designer; her designs focus on female empowerment. In addition to having her pieces for sale at the show, we had raffle baskets from local businesses/artists, and a portion of all proceeds went to the shelter. It was a beautiful night of music, giving back, and celebrating women.



What advice would you give your younger self?

Feel the fear and do it anyway, have confidence in your voice and the gift you’ve been given, and share it.



What is your favorite quote?

Follow the tug at your heart and say “yes”.



What is the most inspirational thing a fan, or anyone, has told or shown you about your music?

“You speak the words my heart aches to scream”. I keep this message and many others in an album on my phone titled, “For when you feel like giving up”. I gather DMs and comments I’ve received from fans to help me remember my ‘why’; it’s a perspective shift for when I start to focus too much on social media or streaming statistics. The real fulfillment comes from making an impact, even if it's just one person.



End Interview


We’re thrilled to have shared this artist's exciting journey with you and to have uncovered such inspiring details about them. 


Now click the links below to experience their incredible work firsthand




Check out this latest release and listen to more of Cat Calabrese on Spotify & YouTube.
















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