Cali Rodi
Pop singer/songwriter Cali Rodi has released her new single “God Save The Queen”.
The empowering record was co-written with Taylor Dexter, Wes Singerman, Melanie Fontana and produced by Lindgren.
“I wanted to create a song that gave me hope and strength, like a modern take on the iconic Sex Pistols classic. It’s an understatement to say life is hard these days, but that doesn’t mean we can’t still have a little fun,” says Rodi.
After being discovered by superstar Keith Urban, Cali recently made the move from Nashville to LA and is working on her debut project with vocal producer Emily Wright (Katy Perry, Britney Spears, Kesha). Her first single, “Party Favor,” was added into rotation on Radio Disney.
“God Save The Queen” is now available on all digital platforms.
Photo credit: Taylor Florio
Introduce yourself - what's your story?
Hi! I’m Cali Rodi. I’m a shameless millennial trying to pioneer pop back to its feel-good roots. My story starts in a small cowboy town in Arizona called Cave Creek. When I was 9, I picked up my first electric guitar and haven’t put it down since. I used to lock myself in my room every night after school, spending hours learning new chords on the internet. In high school, I became obsessed with the idea of going to Nashville because I heard that’s where all the best lyricists (aka Taylor Swift) went to hone their craft. So, I started taking trips to Music City to meet other songwriters and play shows on Broadway. After graduation I moved straight to Nashville and spent a couple years making lasting friendships, writing some of my favorite songs, and even landing a publishing deal with Keith Urban. It was a dream in many ways, but a piece of the puzzle seemed to be missing. Two years ago, I listened to my gut saying I needed to be on the west coast. I sold everything I owned and moved to Los Angeles. Now I’m creating the kind of music I was meant to make…and eating lots of sushi!
What did you grow up listening to?
I’d say the artists on repeat were Britney Spears and Shania Twain. I was in middle school when Taylor Swift got big and that changed everything for me because she was the first artist I listened to who romanticized writing your own songs. Around that time I also got really into the Warped Tour scene and fell in love with the angst of bands like Paramore and blink-182. All of those artists still influence my music to this day.
When did you know you could sing?
Growing up, I was always lip syncing to “Oops! I Did It Again” and tying my shirt up to look like Britney, putting on “shows” for my family. But it wasn’t really until I was 12 and had my first experience playing an open mic night in my hometown that I realized I wanted to live on stage. It was Christmas Day, and my first time singing and playing guitar in front of people, and not just my bathroom mirror. After I sang, the hosts offered me my own show, and a couple months later I earned my first 100 bucks for doing what I loved. I was on cloud nine after that. I started doing local gigs every weekend, singing for anyone who would listen. I learned a lot about how to get people’s attention in loud, smoky bars.
Growing up, what were your favorite records to sing along to?
“What Dreams Are Made Of” by Hilary Duff. I definitely was convinced that I was Lizzie McGuire and that I was going to go to Rome and accidentally become a popstar one day…
When did you start writing songs? What made you want to write in the first place?
Writing songs has always been second nature to me. According to my baby book, my favorite songs were “the ones I make up.” When I was 12 and had mastered basically every Taylor Swift song in her catalog, my guitar teacher encouraged me to start writing my own songs “for real.” From that day forward, rather than learning theory, we would co-write songs together every lesson. It taught me a lot about articulating my ideas, compromising, and trusting my intuition as a writer. Not to mention how to be a strong female in the largely male music business.
What gave you the confidence to become an artist and release your original music?
Phil Guerini, the program director at Radio Disney, encouraged me to start releasing music as an artist. I randomly sent him some of my songs via email, and he asked me to come in for a meeting. I was a completely independent artist at that point, and pretty much going in blind. He gave me a lot of direction and confidence. He said if I released “Party Favor” he would play it on their station. Radio Disney was the first radio station to ever play my music, and for that, I will be forever grateful.
Who was the first person to ever believe in you?
I know it sounds cheesy, but I always believed in myself more than anyone else ever has. If you don’t believe in yourself, who else will? Even when I knew I wasn’t the best singer, I would sing into a karaoke machine for hours just trying to get better. I had this crazy amount of blind faith, and I knew I had potential. When I announced that I wanted to play that open mic for the first time, my parents were so confused, but once they saw me on stage, they totally got it and were 100% on board. I grew up really lucky with such supportive parents who made me believe that I could truly do anything I set my mind to.
How would you define Cali Rodi, the artist?
Unapologetically pop.
"God Save The Queen" is your new single - what's the story behind this song?
While putting money in a parking meter on my way into a songwriting session, I looked up and a strung-out, towering man was stumbling towards me. Living in a big city like Los Angeles, that’s a fairly normal thing, so I didn’t think much of it. Suddenly, he started running towards me and calling me a bitch. A switch in my brain automatically flipped to panic mode and I started sprinting in the other direction. Before I knew it, he had me cornered. Even though I was screaming for help, I couldn’t get over the fact that in broad daylight on Ventura Boulevard, no one stopped to help me. He pushed me, and I felt I had no choice but to push him back with all my strength and ended up faking him out and running into a Subway where I hid behind the counter. My hands were shaking the entire day. The next day, when I arrived at my session, I called my male co-writers to escort me from the parking garage. I was still terrified to walk around alone. I explained to them what happened (and also showed off my new neon pink pepper spray I attached to my keys) and decided we needed to write about it. That’s when “God Save The Queen” was born. Because I felt powerless in the moment, I wanted to create a song that gave me hope and strength, like a modern take on the iconic Sex Pistols classic. It’s an understatement to say life is hard these days, but that doesn’t mean we can’t still have a little fun.
Who helped you create this single?
I initially wrote “God Save The Queen” with Taylor Dexter and Wes Singerman-who are amazing writer/producers. We then brought the bones of the song to Melanie Fontana and Lindgren, (two of my favorite collaborators) who helped fill in all the gaps and really take the idea home. The song is produced by Lindgren (Dua Lipa, BTS), vocal produced and engineered by Emily Wright (Katy Perry, Britney Spears) and mixed by Clint Gibbs (Doja Cat, Kim Petras).
What made you want to release "God Save The Queen" as a single?
This is my first release in a while, so I wanted to make sure the lead single off my debut EP kicked off the project in a standout way. I feel like “God Save The Queen” is the big sister to my first single I ever put out, “Party Favor.” That first song was released in the midst of the “Me Too” movement and used some word play (“a girl’s not a party favor”) to get a serious message of empowerment across in a fun way. “God Save The Queen” highlights similar themes, but is telling us it’s okay to feel like you need a little help sometimes. I hope it sparks a fire inside you and makes you embrace your inner “queen!”
What message do you want to deliver through this song?
That there is strength in vulnerability.
Who's helping you build your career?
I feel so thankful to have my team. I was put into a session with Emily Wright when I was living in Nashville and I was terrified. I grew up memorizing liner notes on albums and remembered her name from all my favorite records like “Teenage Dream,” “Tik Tok,” and “Party in the USA” (the list goes on…) We really clicked in the writing room, and stayed friends and wrote more songs after that initial session. She ended up playing my song for an A&R in New York, Desi O’Meara. He loved what we were doing and now manages me! The three of us spent about a year dreaming up my artist project, and recently, Emily signed me as her first artist to a development deal. She also vocal produces all my upcoming releases-what a badass! I feel like we’re the three unstoppable musketeers and I am so lucky to finally have a true TEAM to help me bring all the ideas in my head to life.
You are a musical ambassador for the TJ Martell Foundation - could you tell us more about it?
Yes! The TJ Martell Foundation is my second family. Their slogan is “Music’s Promise For a Cure.” Cancer is a problem that has affected my life significantly. My first performance ever in Nashville was in 2009 at a TJ Martell event called “Ride for a Cure.” When I got on stage, I dedicated my set to my Nani (my grandmother/best friend who I’m convinced was the one to pass down the musical gene) who was battling cancer at that time. She passed away while I was singing. I found out when I got off stage and felt my whole world crashing down. From that day forward I made it my personal mission to do everything in my power to help cure this horrible disease. It’s been my honor and privilege to perform in several charity concerts in Nashville and LA, and I’m always spreading the word about their amazing work. I hope to make a zillion dollars one day so I can give them more than just a few songs!
What are your thoughts on today's current situation around the world and on the Black Lives Matter movement?
I recently heard a quote that really resonates with me; “Justice will not be served until those who are unaffected are as outraged as those who are.” We are finally opening our eyes to the injustices that are happening right under our noses. But it’s going to take everyone transferring their unwavering support beyond just Instagram to make a change. I’ve been taking this time to read, sign petitions, and educate myself on how to be better.
In your opinion, what would make the world a better place?
Empathy.
What message do you want to give to the world?
I really just want to spread light through my music. And make people laugh. And dance. And cry. And say “I love you.” I think music can heal even the deepest wounds, and it brings people together in a way that nothing else can.
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