Holler Live Sessions: Callista Clark

In 2021, Callista Clark stormed into the charts with her swaggering, brush-your-shoulders-off hit, ‘It's ‘Cause I Am’. Although just 19 years old, Clark has built a reputation for delivering uptempo, pop-infused anthems that perceive love through a refreshing new lens.

When Callista Clark begins tuning her guitar in the Betsey Trotwood Pub in London, she carries a cool, relaxed air.

But as soon as she strums the first note, this is replaced by a laser-focused determination to showcase her songwriting prowess.

This is epitomised on Clark's renditions ‘Sad’ and ‘It's ‘Cause I Am’, both taken from the deluxe version of her break-out album, Real to Me. Stripping back the production and presenting the songs with just Clark and an acoustic guitar introduces a new colour to each one, shining the limelight on the deep soulful tones of her voice.

Clark's Holler Live Session spotlight the vocal dexterity that has earned the Georgia native a spot in Billboard's annual 21 Under 21 list for two years running.

But what comes across most prominently is the lyrical sensitivity and depth that can sometimes be downplayed in studio versions. Callista Clark arrived with a mission to highlight her songwriting proficiency - it's safe to say she more than delivers.