Calista Kweon: A Rising Star in The Music Industry
By Catherine Wong
New music enthusiasts love discovering fresh indie artists before they hit the mainstream, and 21-year-old Calista Kweon is quickly becoming an artist that fans will proudly say, “I knew her before she blew up.”
Graphic by Makayla Jimenez | Featuring Calista Kweon
Musical Beginnings
Originally from a small city in Northwestern Ohio, Kweon was raised with an artistic background. Growing up, she was involved in countless activities, including dance, visual arts, and piano lessons. It was not until 2018, though, that Kweon discovered she had a passion for photography. “I knew absolutely nothing about cameras, but I wanted to learn for some reason. A few weeks into 2019, a couple of my friends at the time won a free photoshoot with a prominent photographer in the area. I remember stepping on set and seeing the lighting, his camera gear, and the cyc wall, knowing at that moment that this was something I wanted to pursue,” said Kweon for the NashvilleVoyager.
Though she was extremely passionate about photography, Kweon had a dream to pursue music. Despite her strong clientele and a long list of opportunities waiting for her, the singer took off and dove headfirst into singing and songwriting. In 2021, Kweon packed her belongings and moved to Nashville in pursuit of a Commercial Music Degree at Belmont University. “Not many people leave my town; they’re comfortable with their small-town lives, and that’s completely okay. I seek discomfort! I felt suffocated by the bubble of my city limits,” she said for the NashvilleVoyager. Choosing to pursue art and music was difficult for Kweon; however, her attendance at Belmont changed her outlook completely. Rather than focusing on what others are doing and how her work “matches up,” Kweon knows her “major doesn’t define [her] as to what [she’s] allowed and not allowed to do.”
Delay
Pushing the limits is not unfamiliar to Kweon, especially in her new single “Delay” – a beautiful weaving of jazz inspiration grounded in indie roots. Drawing inspiration from artists like Laufey and Tiny Habits, Kweon similarly captures the same serene atmosphere as they do. Opening with hopeful guitar strums, Kweon achieves a “coming of age feel” in the first few chords of the track. As the song progresses; however, it becomes clear that Kweon is attempting to detach herself from reality and slow down time. “Think it’s time to withdraw from spinning rooms and sunset views,” she sings.
Inspired by a life-changing trip to San Francisco, “Delay” was created as an ode to time passing and how sometimes it’s difficult to be present. “I felt spiritually awoken from the headspace I was previously in. I had never been to the West Coast, and every turn felt like being in a scene out of a film I’d seen once before only in my dreams,” said Kweon.
The track picks up speed after the first verse as Kweon continues to sing about losing time and space. “Fog so dense that it enclosed me,” and “Under some sort of hypnosis/ Was I dreaming to begin with?” both allude to her desire to remain anchored in the present, wrapped in the embrace of San Francisco, wishing she could stay there for eternity. It is clear that Kweon has a natural ability to convey vivid imagery, which can only be attributed to her background in photography.
The chorus perfectly mimics Laufey’s style of long, enunciated verbs and compelling background vocals. “Keep an open space for everything that seems to fade/ Can we delay our stay,” Kweon almost pleads, drawing out the word "stay" as if to stretch time out itself. As the track nears its end, the soft, dreamlike production style creates a hazy atmosphere that blurs the line between the past and the present.
“Delay” is the perfect example of the raw potential and artistry of young, independent artists. She has already shown a remarkable ability to reach audiences through her introspective lyrics, and “Delay” is just the beginning of what promises to be a bright future for Kweon. The cinematic feel of her music proves she is a force to be reckoned with, and we hope that she continues to share her beautifully crafted tracks with the world! You can listen to “Delay” here!
