Caleigh Burke: Biography

"Stay with me just a little longer, one last smile one last song,…" croons singer-songwriter Caleigh Burke on her single 16 from her self-titled EP album. And from the way things are sounding, Burke is going to be sticking around for many more.

Burke's brand of pop is jarring and gentle, rocking and real. Her piano-driven ballads are fresh in their perspective and unabashedly tackle life with an eye that makes even the most horrible nightmare seem beautiful in its honesty. Her lyrics and music come from a place of experience, and her appeal is as real as it is irresistible.

For Burke, there has been no apologizing for her musical integrity since her first song at thirteen. "My piano teacher encouraged me to write something of my own… I had a good ear for picking up other people's songs, and she wanted me to develop my own voice. I didn't try to write it… it just came out of me." And though she didn't start writing songs until thirteen, Caleigh had already been singing all her life. "I think I came out of my mother singing," she says. But she truly made her break onto the music scene at an unexpected opportunity: "My grandfather died when I was two. Apparently I sang every word to every song at his funeral… so I guess music just came naturally to me".

Caleigh's family recognized her talent, but left the musical choices up to her. Caleigh decided to start taking piano lessons at the age of nine. "I can't remember specifically why I started to take lessons… I just remember thinking that the piano was an exceptionally cool instrument, and I really wanted to learn how to play it. But right from the beginning, I knew we were soul mates … our relationship was effortless."

Caleigh later began singing lessons at twelve, but she truly realized that music was her calling at the tender age of fifteen. "I was at a Chantal Kreviazuk concert when I first realized that I had to do this. I think I cried throughout the entire show and all night after it was over. That is when it hit me. I saw myself in her. It was so simple… she came out by herself, sat at the piano and played from her soul. It was then that I knew I would make music my life, or die trying."

Since then, Caleigh's musical life has been a steady burn, from instruction at the prestigious Arts York Vocal program to teaching voice and piano lessons, performing as a guest artist for Gregg Lawless, and recording her own fabulous EP.

Her influences range from Tori Amos and Elton John to Sting and Dave Matthews, but her own writing has gravitated to a natural and unique style. "I have this feeling that the songs I write already exist somewhere, and I find them rather than writing them. They are their own little entities that reveal themselves to me when they are ready. If anything is forced or unnatural it will come out sounding that way. When I'm writing, I am in a different state of consciousness. I obsess about a song until it is finished being born."

Clearly, though, the relationship has matured since her first ivory-tickling days. "It's almost like a love affair when I'm writing a song, and then the security of a loving relationship when they are written and performed," she says. And it becomes obvious from an audience seat at one of Caleigh's live shows that the chemistry between the girl and her Steinway is palpable. "The piano is an interesting little thing… not only is it physically beautiful, but it is also very versatile. I love the freedom of making the piano sing in any style I choose." And after a listen to her playing, it's evident the two make a perfect match.

Caleigh's EP is a tight, though abbreviated, representation of her songwriting. "It's just a little glimpse at who I am. But moreso, what life is." At the tender age of twenty, and with an arsenal of originals in her pocket, it's easy to see why this ambitious musician is chasing her dream. "I am pursuing music because it's who I am-- and because of the overwhelming joy it brings me. Still, I think others find a connection in my music. In terms of future plans, I want to sing and write and perform as much as possible. Whether that's on stage or in my living room… I just know I need to keep doing this."

Burke's music is seductive in its determination to confront best friends, breakups, and burning grief with a lilting, powerful, and tender spin. But as a result of her own desire to challenge empty convention and her musical background, there's also substance behind her style. "I see our society becoming increasingly superficial. I think most of the music out there is no exception. Everybody loves a mindless pop hit once in a while, but life is not fluff. Good or bad, there is substance to it. And reflecting that is not something I try to do in my songwriting, it's just who I am, and that surfaces in my music. I think there is always beauty in truth, and that is one thing about my music-- it is truthful, and honest, and unabashedly real. Musically speaking I try to shake things up a bit -- do the unexpected, keep the listener guessing. I'm a huge fan of a challenge, and I want a listener to be engaged."

Caleigh is studying Ethics, Society, and Law, and Criminology at Trinity College, University of Toronto. She looks forward to completing her degree, and continuing her affair with music.

~ Brianna A.E. Goldberg