Quick-fire Questions: 10 minutes with Blossom Caldarone
There is no joy quite like watching an artist return with the vivid and exciting sense that they’ve nailed it, landing on precisely what they wanted to say, and presenting it exactly how they wanted it to sound. London’s Blossom Caldarone’s return with ‘Waxing Lyrical’ feels like exactly that.
She’s not new, not by any means, as Caldarone has been releasing tracks since 2017. But this new release feels like the artist has cracked something, bringing all those years of songwriting into the mix, and merging it with her busy calendar of new experiences of late.
If you don’t know Caldarone from her own music, you might recognise her face from the back of English Teacher’s stage where she plays cello and keys in the band. She also plays for Deadletter frontman Zac Lawrence in his band for his solo project, as well as routinely joining other names or popping up around London for her own shows.
Since English Teacher bagged the Mercury Prize in 2024, it’s been hectic. Caldarone has been around the world with the band, zipping across continents and countries, playing to the masses as well as working on her own music. Gaining inspiration from the travels and the fun it’s led to a clear levelling up of her own sound.
She’s a name you should be paying attention to as poignant, storytelling lyrics meet a unique and angelic voice. Her music does most of the talking in terms of the deeper thoughts and feelings, but here we’re talking to Caldarone about the important stuff, like songs she hates and foods she loves.
Quick-fire questions with Blossom Caldarone:
Far Out: Introduce yourself in three words.
Blossom Caldarone: “Jovial, impatient singer.”
Sell us your music in three words...
“Making strings cool.”
What’s the best thing about touring?
“The feeling before and after shows, and taking the partying international. I love a recommendation.”
What’s the worst thing about touring?
“My skin barrier breaking down, and the sheer amount of sandwiches.”
What’s your favourite random town or city you’ve found yourself in during your days on the road?
“Hakone in Japan. I spent a few days there this summer and realised I have been stressed since I left the womb.”
Talk us through your songwriting process? Is there a ritual?
“I’m not sure there is a process, but there is definitely a pattern. I tend to have songwriting droughts, I’m in one right now. I haven’t written for a really long time. But I feel new songs brewing and imagine I’ll hibernate over the next few months and spew them all out. Then I’ll live my life again. And so the process repeats. I’ve never been able to consistently write.”
If you could steal credit for writing one song in history, which would it be?
“’Crazy He Calls Me’. The Billie Holiday version is my favourite. I’ve slept with a picture of her above my bed since I was a baby.”
And if you could wipe one song off the face of the planet, what’s going?
“‘Come On Eileen’ makes me want to end it all. That song laughs in my face.”
What’s your favourite release of 2025 so far?
“It’s a toss-up between It’s a Beautiful Place by Water From Your Eyes and Lily Allen’s West End Girl, which is so concise and hilarious.”
Tell us about the best gig you’ve ever been to?
“Rufus Wainwright at Glastonbury in 2023. So unbelievably beautiful. He covered ‘Somewhere Over The Rainbow’, and I just stood with my friend and cried.”
Who’s an artist you really want to see live?
“I’d love to see Doechii soon. I missed her over the summer this year, but I just think she’s incredible. Such a presence! I must see it live!”
What would be your last meal on death row?
“Chicken Caesar Salad, chips, very cold glass of Pinot and a sticky toffee pudding while a string quartet plays ‘Nearer, My God, to Thee’.”
Settle the internet’s debate – Is it embarrassing to have a boyfriend?
“I don’t care what you do in your private time, I just don’t need to hear about him.”
What movie should I watch tonight?
“Daisies by Věra Chytilová. It’s about two women called Marie – The Maries manipulate men for food and entertainment. They flirt with a man to secure a free meal, cry when he leaves, and then burst into laughter. Marie II visits a butterfly collector who professes his love for her, but she remains indifferent and only asks for food’ is a brief synopsis of one of my favourite scenes.”
Are The Beatles overrated?
“Absolutely not.”
