Caylah West was born in Okinawa, Japan in 1996 and started singing before she even learned how to talk.
Interview conducted on December 28, 2020
By Dan Locke
Caylah West is a 23-year-old, Marine Corps Veteran (Thank you for your service) who likes to sing and talk. I write novels, sing, dance, DJ, do photography, and parent a two-year-old…
Currently you are in Nashville. What is your upbringing like?
As a military brat, I grew up all over the world. Born in Okinawa, Japan, that was only the beginning. I moved every three years, all over the world, until high school. I got to go to places like South Korea, Germany, and all over the United States. I got to meet a lot of people and see lots of other cultures. I guess you could say I’m well-traveled. My dad was a Marine and my mom did various things from owning a modeling agency to being a pastor.
How did you discover music?
I come from a very musically inclined family. Music has always been second nature to me. My dad used to be a part of a Christian rap group and my mom would constantly sing to me and around the house growing up.
How did you start to write music?
I officially started writing music in 6th grade. There was really no definite start, singing just evolved into writing after getting my first guitar.
Describe your music.
I think my music rages from party starters to inspirational, to cookie-cutter relationship music. Whatever I’m feeling at the time, or whatever idea pops into my mind, is what ends up on paper. There’s no rhyme or reason for my music. I just do whatever feels right or venture into whatever new area I feel like exploring.
How did you get your first guitar, and do you still have it?
In 8th grade, I attempted to teach myself how to play guitar. To encourage me, my parents gifted me a Mitchell12-string left-handed acoustic guitar. I learned enough to get base chords when writing songs. Even though I still have that guitar as a moment, it’s broken and unusable now.
What is your guitar of choice now? Year, make and model?
Even though I started with guitar, my preference for strings is actually ukulele. During my four years stationed in Hawaii, I picked it up. I find the ukulele more comfortable and convenient. Plus, with someone as short as I am, my hands can reach their positions easily. I use a Kala ukulele. But as far as guitars go, I tend to lean towards ‘ol-faithful’ Mitchell acoustics.
Was the GHS Talent show the first time your performance on a stage?
Far from it. My first performance was actually a singing competition I won at the age of 3 that was hosted in Tyson Corner Center Mall in Virginia. I would actually consider my high school talent show one of my later performances.
What makes a good songwriter?
I think a good songwriter has to be willing to put their heart into the music. If you love your song, chances are, someone else will too. There’s no right or good when it comes to songwriting, just what you feel you want to tell the world through your music.
What is the process of writing your music?
I wish I had a set process, but it never happens with the thought “I’m going to write a song”. Sometimes, I’ll think up a melody or be obsessed with a word and build around it. Sometimes, I’m half asleep on my way to bed and think of a chorus or verse and record it on my phone before coming back to it after a good night’s rest.
You are a Marine Corp Veteran. Did you get the chance to preform while you were in the Marines?
I didn’t perform any events while I was enlisted, however I did go karaoke with friends every weekend I could.
Do you belong to any to songwriters’ organizations like the International singer-songwriter association, SESAC, BMI or ASCAP?
I recently joined BMI, so I’m still new to the organization.
What was the title of your first original song? Did you record it?
My first song I ever wrote and performed was called “Fame”. It’s about someone who did everything they could and still ended up failing in music, but they keep trying regardless. I didn’t professionally record it, but I did perform it for my 7th-grade talent show.
How do you stay healthy while performing?
Honestly, by performing itself. I can never stay still when music is involved. Performing, for me, quickly turns into a musical aerobics class! I do go to the gym sometimes but most of the time, it’s unnecessary with all the cardio I manage to fit into a 4–5-hour performance. I also cook my meals at home for a healthier option.
What are your feelings about streaming music?
I love streaming. I think it’s a great way to get easy access to artists and music that wouldn’t necessarily be on a CD back in the day. It’s also easier for musicians to share their music.
How can people forget about the origin hashtag # Sharp in a musical score? Because of social media #sonyrecords vs. F#
I’m a lover of the modern age
Digital vs. vinyl?
. #Digital, of course! Vinyl has the nostalgic retro feel, but digital can go with you anywhere.
What song from the past is in your mind right now? Moreover, what is the meaning that song means to you?
“You Are My Sunshine” was the first song I ever sang in front of a crowd at the age of three. My mom sang that song to me often as a child. It’s the most memorable for me.
First you have the lockdown then the suicide bombing. How is Nashville doing?
We’re definitely more cautious and not as busy and lively as we we’re pre-COVID. But we’re doing our best to stay positive, stay safe, and keep playing music for the people who support us.
Both (Pfizer and BioNTech) and Moderna are both on the market. With both vaccines, it takes two shots. How many people do you think will take it and how many will forget to take the second shot?
I think the fear-mongering happening on social media will prevent a lot of people from getting the vaccine, but those who take the virus seriously will be sure to get the vaccines needed.
How long before the whole world will be vaccinated against the virus? You have to remember there only has to be a 70% to 85% for Herd immunity (Herd immunity occurs when a large portion of a community (the herd) becomes immune to a disease, making the spread of disease from person to person unlikely. As a result, the whole community becomes protected — not just those who are immune.)
I don’t think the whole world will get to that point for at least another five years. With people who are against vaccines in general, and the misinformation being spread about the COVID vaccine on top of that, I don’t think the vaccine is accepted enough by society to vaccinated get to 70% vaccinated yet.
Do you feel the Covid-19 virus going to affect the music business in the future?
It already has. With most people staying home and using social media, more artists and music is being found while live entertainment is obviously on the decline. It’s already given independent and smaller artists a higher chance of being found.
You write novels. So far you have written My Name is Not Cupcake and A Grand Celebration. Can you tell me about the books and do you have any more in the making?
I wrote “My Name is Not Cupcake” a bit in spite. I read books on Wattpad all the time, and I’ve been doing it for about 13 years. A popular genre on Wattpad is Werewolf, but all the werewolf books were almost the same structure. “My Name is Not Cupcake” was kind of my nod to the werewolf genre to prove that a werewolf novel could be somewhat normal, and didn’t need the same overused structure. “A Grand Celebration” was my project child. I wrote it during the 2016 elections. Seeing the chaos around the election, I wondered what a futuristic monarchy would look like. Taking that concept, I combined it with a “Bachelor” format with a bit of suspense to get “A Grand Celebration”. Fun fact: I actually took my friend to downtown Honolulu with my Canon camera and did the photography for the book myself. As far as other books go, I have about 28 completed books and 5 in the making available for free reading on Wattpad (@CaylahWest).
You went to the Art Institute of Pittsburgh (online). How was it?
Honestly, it was difficult. The curriculum itself wasn’t too challenging, but I made the mistake of trying to attend while also having to be available for my military duties 24/7. That didn’t leave much time for school.
During the lockdown have you been working on your photography business?
Even before the lockdown, I put my photography business to the side to focus on music. Now, I reserve my photography for special occasions.
Have you discovered or rediscovered any new hobbies?
I’ve stayed pretty consistent with most of my hobbies, but a new thing I picked up is TikTok. I find the short clips fun to make and unexpectedly gathered quite a following.
95% of people said that they have changed the way they watch television. This includes people who don’t have television and using their computers to do streaming of programs and movies. Which is your favorite streaming channel?
My favorite streaming service is Viki. It’s a lesser-known streaming service, but I really like Korean dramas and Chinese costume dramas, and Viki is almost exclusively for those types of shows. I find them more interesting and suspenseful.
With the streaming services (Disney (50+ new shows/movies Lizzie McGuire, The Sandlot, Beauty and the Beast prequel, Moana, Cars, Soul, Raya and the Last Dragon, Sister Act 3, Pinocchio, Peter Pan and Wendy, all future Star Wars and Marvel movies and shows) and HOB Max ( including Wonder Woman 2, Godzilla vs Kong, Top Gun: Maverick, Mortal Kombat, Tom and Jerry, The Many Saints of Newark, The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It, In the Heights, Space Jam: A New Legacy, The Suicide Squad, Dune, The Matrix 4) planning to pull all the upcoming movies from next year and put them on their streaming service. How will that affect the entertainment industry?
One thing you have to remember also most these movies are already in the can ready to be release. And the original agreement was for the movies to come out at the theater first. The actors and crew make most of their money from the residuals (financial compensations that are paid to the actors, film directors and other involved (including music) in the making of the movie in cases of reruns, syndication, DVD release, and online streaming release).
I think with our current situation, streaming is the best way to reach everyone in their homes, but I think the budgets of the movies will most likely be cut due to lack of box ticket sales. Of course, there is always the option to take an HBO approach and have viewers pay for specific movies. It’s hard to balance budget versus outreach, but I’m sure the balance will be found eventually.
Many artists are doing nightly concerts over either YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. In October that is going to change at least on Facebook. Facebook is cracking down on livestreamed shows that include recorded music with new terms of service, preventing artists from using the platform for “commercial or non-personal” purposes, unless they have obtained the relevant licenses.
The updated music guidelines state that users “may not use videos on our products [which include Instagram] to create a music listening experience […] This will include [Facebook] Live,” and stipulates that such content should be posted for the enjoyment of friends and family only.
How do you think this will change the landscape of Facebook?
I think the Facebook live streams were really good for musicians, but the guidelines changing isn’t the end of musicians’ “pat to play” platform. Other streaming sites like, Patreon, still allow musicians to make a living during this hard time. Facebook is a good place to get General information out to a large audience, but I think they’ll be on the decline soon. I think other social media outlets will help musicians keep fans updated even without live concerts or Facebook. Specifically speaking, recently, most of the songs on the Billboard top 100 got notoriety from TikTok.
What about Holographic concerts in our living room?
Holographic concerts have always been an idea, but I think with our current reality, it’s becoming more and more of a possibility.
If you can’t do music what would you like to be doing?
If I wasn’t doing music, I would still be writing books and doing photography, but life would be way less cheerful without it.
What is your happy place?
My happy place is my bed. Believe it or not, that’s where I get most of my inspiration. And everything seems so much better after a good rest. I’m a strong believer in nap time!
Are you going to miss this year NYE on Broadway?
We still aren’t certain how things will be run for NYE, so for now we’re just standing by to see how it goes. But at the moment, I’m still planning to be performing on Broadway for NYE.
Anything you would like to say in closing.
Please look out for my music releases soon!
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