Cleo T.

Photo Courtesy Of Cleo T.

WHERE DID YOU GROW UP AND WHERE DO YOU LIVE NOW?
I grew up in Paris. But, in the last five years I’ve spent a lot of time between Florens and Rome for my work. I consider Italy my second home. Now I’m in the process of moving to Berlin. I love the city and it's really the right atmosphere to prepare for the next album.

WHEN DID YOU FIRST GET INTO MUSIC AND CAN YOU EXPLAIN YOUR GENRE?
I don’t know when it started. I fell in love with the piano. It's part of my childhood memories. Music is like growing up, my everyday life. It’s difficult to describe my genre especially as I’m trying to set up a personal dictionary and approach to art. It's about energy and spirit. I get the same kind of feeling from a byzantine icon and a painting by Motherwell. What matters to me is the connection my music seeks to offer to people. The connections to their dreams. I focus on those emotions.

WHO ARE YOUR MUSICAL INSPIRATIONS?
I love popular music along Italian and French traditional songs. And Latin music where the power of rhythms irresistibly speaking to your body then your soul. Elvis to start the week, Nina Simone on Tuesdays, Serge Gainsbourg for Wednesday afternoons, The Lecuona Cuban Boys on Thursdays, Beyoncé on a Friday night, Dalida on Saturday evenings and Isaac Delusion on Sunday mornings.

FIRST SONG EVER SUNG?
My father is an Elvis fan. My mother listened a lot to the French singers of the 60’s. My first song ever sung was probably “That's Allright Mama”, Brigitte Bardot’s version.

DO YOU WRITE YOUR OWN LYRICS AND WHAT ARE YOUR SOME OF YOUR FAVOURITE WORDS (OR PHRASES) IN ENGLISH, FRENCH AND ITALIAN?
Beauty. Absolu. Avventura. (Et risotto ai funghi porcini, ma non si dice!)

WHEN YOU PERFORM DO YOU COME ACROSS YOURSELF IN A STATE OF PERPETUAL DISCOVERY?
I’m lucky because I play in front of different audiences. In Southern Italy or in cities like New York, few people know my music thus far. I have to give them something significant. Something unique that stays with them. It's the kind of arena where only what's real matter. I never know what's going to happen. It's ritualistic. I try to open a door to somewhere else through the energy people give me.

IF YOU WEREN’T SINGING WHAT WOULD YOU BE DOING?
I would be a bird. Or, a horse.

WHAT DO YOU GET UP TO IN YOUR SPARE TIME?
Travel. I think I've spent about five weeks at home this year.

WHERE DO YOU GO SHOPPING?
I love clothes that tell a story. I wear a lot of my grandmother’s clothes. She was fashion-forward and designed many of the pieces she was wearing herself then had them made sur mesure. They showcase an amazing savoir-faire. Also vintage from Céline, Burberry or Saint Laurent. I buy a lot of accessories and shoes from Rome and Milano. I appreciate their craftsmanship. In London I get dresses from Karen Millen for the slim fit.

WHAT CAN WE EXCPECT FROM YOU IN THE FUTURE?
Anything. Tomorrow is a magical day.