“Calista Garcia changes the world for you”
takamine
Photo Credit: Michaela Bootz
About Calista Garcia
Whimsy-rock singer-songwriter Calista Garcia creates music that defies genre, blending elements of folk, funk, chamber pop, dance, and punk, all anchored by her introspective yet philosophically sharp lyricism. Her expressive “new classic” style—a sound that is both nostalgic and forward-thinking—is infused with cinematic visuals, glam-inspired aesthetics, and theatrical flair. Whether crafting records, visual art, or uber-intimate performances, Calista is an inimitable force of creative energy.
Her forthcoming concept album, Animal Magnifique, out June 6, 2025, marks her most transformative work yet. Moving beyond her folk-rock roots, Calista dives headfirst into a genre-bending, emotionally charged world where personal metamorphosis takes center stage. Early singles—“Ghost,” “Carnival,” and “Big Mouth”—offer a sneak peek into this lush sonic landscape, drawing on vintage circus imagery, glam rock decadence, and the chaotic beauty of young adulthood.
Calista’s 2023 album Confession, produced by GRAMMY winners Jim Scott (The Chicks, Tom Petty) and Davíd Garza (Fiona Apple), introduced a more expansive sound and marked a new era in her artistry. Tracks like “The Coals” landed on Spotify’s “Fresh Finds Folk: Best of 2022”, while “Kalamazoo” was praised by Under the Radar for evoking “Elton John’s glam-laden tributes to rock and roll.” Wonderland Magazine lauded “Flowers in My Hair” for its expressive innovation, and the confessional closing track “Can’t Give Myself Away” became a fan favorite.
Earlier EPs—A Beautiful World (2021) and Wild Woman (2019)—earned Calista accolades from the Independent Music Awards, International Songwriting Competition, and Mid-Atlantic Songwriting Contest. A skilled multi-instrumentalist, she brings guitar, piano, mandolin, bass, ukulele, and harmonica into her genre-fluid compositions.
Calista’s achievements include being named a 2022 Kerrville New Folk Winner, a YoungArts Gold Winner in Voice/Singer-Songwriter, a Johnny Mercer Songwriting Fellow, and a Chris Austin Songwriting Finalist at Merlefest. She’s also been recognized with multiple Wammie Awards and fellowships from the She Is The Music Foundation. National audiences were introduced to her on NBC’s The Voice (Season 16), and she’s proudly featured on Takamine’s global artist roster.
Beyond her solo recordings, Calista writes for the stage. Her folk-rock musical Crystal Skies premiered in 2018 and was selected as a semifinalist for the 2020 Eugene O’Neill National Musical Theatre Conference.
Now based in Brooklyn, Calista continues to craft music that’s bold, thoughtful, and unapologetically original. With Animal Magnifique, she opens the curtain on her most dazzling chapter yet—inviting audiences into a surreal, soulful, and spectacular world all her own.