by lauren kovolenko
photo courtesy of cmagic5
World, meet Cmagic5, a super vibrant girl with a powerful voice. Unclear has had the chance to sit down to talk about her upbringing, her music life, as well as her pastimes. She spills some very insightful commentary and talks more about why her songs matter. If you are into fun music you can dance to, read on to get to know Cmagic5. You won't regret it!
Can you tell us a little about your recent single “Dancing On My Heart” and how it came about?
Cmagic5: “‘Dancing On My Heart’ is a riveting party anthem inspired by the universally relatable struggle of moving on after a breakup when your ex-lover finds an opportunity to let themselves back into your life. I wanted to create something fun and playful, but also empowering and impactful. I wanted to write something upbeat that would inspire energy and confidence in my listeners. The track’s infectious tune showcases my abilities as a vocalist by enabling my voice to soar through its wide range and emphasizes my soulful vocals through the melodic structure. I absolutely thrive on powerful beats and catchy melodies that are accompanied by my energetic and charismatic delivery.
This track emphasizes the ‘moving on’ part after falling out of a relationship and the frustration that develops when you’re avoiding falling in love with the same person all over again, knowing they’re not the one for you (but hey, it happens!). It’s all about how my ex dances on my heart like it's his stage and steals the spotlight. This can be summed up in the lyrical lyrics ‘I keep giving in and that’s my crime.’
The songwriting process for this track was unlike any of my previous releases. It definitely is one of my favorites and showcases my artistic evolution. As my debut album was entirely self-written, self-composed during quarantine, this was the first track that I collaborated on with established songwriters. I wanted the song to reflect my bold and fun personality through big sounds and groovy bass lines while articulating relatable feelings through my lyrics. No matter what I choose to write about, there is always an underlying theme of self-empowerment accompanied by energetic vibes. Personally, I feel like you can turn any emotion or personal experience into a bop and inevitably find yourself dancing and singing along to it on repeat, and that’s what I love about songwriting.
photo courtesy of cmagic5
I believe ‘Dancing On My Heart’ is anyone’s story at some stage or phase in their lives. The theme diversifies to a broader reality when someone is always ‘dancing on your heart’ and it’s up to you to let them in. This track is accompanied by a high-energy music video with an underlying relatable theme, enhanced visualizations, and addictive dance moves.”
How do you feel performing influenced your own self esteem?
Cmagic5: “My passion for singing and acting manifested itself when I was very little with me performing to a living room audience at the age of five. By six I began performing to a larger audience. I captured anything around me that inspired me at that age, such as colors and animals, and put it into a song. By the age of ten, my articulation developed and my lyrics matured, and I had written and composed my very first original song along with an EP in just a few days, titled ‘Destiny’s Calling.’ My elementary school years were a challenging time for me, being bullied. It was during this time music became my sole companion and it empowered me to express myself creatively. Although I didn’t really have a strong support group of friends at the time, I grabbed my acoustic guitar and dived deep into songwriting. This was the defining moment in my life when I knew that I wanted to pursue music for the rest of my life.
Performing has definitely boosted my self-esteem. Vocally, classical studies have strengthened my technique and shaped my soulful voice. Music history and theory have enriched me as I am able to use this knowledge when it comes to my songwriting and composing. While I would like my music to be fun and enjoyable, I also want it to be musically respected.”
Was there a main mentor in your life that influenced you?
Cmagic5: “As an artist, one of my greatest musical influences has always been Nina Simone. Her voice, style of music, and work ethic have all inspired me to be the greatest musician I can be. One of her most successful songs, ‘Feeling Good,’ was the first song I began to perform in front of large live audiences. The more I sang it, the more I began to discover my true abilities as a vocalist. The profound response from the audience motivated me to think of my art and passion as a career and hone my craft even further. My other musical influences include Whitney Houston, Dua Lipa, Christina Aguilera, Miley Cyrus, and Toni Braxton.
In my personal life, I would say my dad! He’s been there for me throughout my entire career and has supported me no matter what. I always call him my ‘dadager’ (dad + manager). He was the one who first introduced me to music at a young age. Believe it or not, this guy has never missed a single one of my performances, and for that, I am forever grateful.”
photo courtesy of cmagic5
Is there a particular career achievement that you aspire to reach?
Cmagic5: “I would love to see myself as an internationally recognized and respected artist, impacting and inspiring a wider audience through my music. I hope to go on international tours and connect with fans from all over the world. Performing at Madison Square Garden in New York is definitely on the bucket list too!”
How do you personally feel you will you know when you have succeeded?
Cmagic5: “I think success is different for everyone, and there is no way to truly measure it. Success to me is knowing I’ve made a positive impact through my music and adding value to people’s lives. The pandemic really took a toll and affected different people in many ways. A lot of people were forced to look at who they are without their art. However, with resiliency, they were able to find ways to create even with restrictions. To be able to cross that bridge and come out on the other side with new music and impact lives in a positive way is my success. Just being able to transcend boundaries and make people feel good even during these trying times is when I know I have succeeded by reaching a wider audience, and when my listeners relate with my song, create a video, sing it, and remember it especially after hearing it for the very first time.”
How did you get involved in advocating for mental health?
Cmagic5: “I am a strong believer that mental well-being is as important as our physical well-being. Especially in this day and age, where the future is so uncertain, and where the world is adversely impacted, economically, socially, and emotionally, each one of us has a responsibility even if it means playing a small role. It is important to keep our minds fit and strong. Kindness, being humble, and smiles go a long way in spreading positivity.
With the medium of the arts, music enables me to deliver simple yet positive inspiring messages by reiterating self-worth through my own experiences. Music has the power to heal. By raising awareness and being a mental health ambassador, by collaborating with platforms and campaigns that also champion the cause, I want to enhance awareness and reduce the negative stigma that is so often associated with mental illness.
As a mental health ambassador for different charity organizations, my goal is to inspire and impact people positively to build their self-confidence and self-esteem. As a qualified mentor in the arts, I am dedicated to helping the youth to amplify their voice in society and to develop and pursue their passion. By sharing my own story, I want to encourage teens to focus on their dreams and pursue their passion.”
As a young person, how does social media and “likes” affect your performances?
Cmagic5: “As the live music and grassroots in-person variables are diminished right now, it has opened up a plethora of online avenues and live streams, reaching a geographically wider and diverse audience which I think is truly amazing in the midst of the pandemic! Social media especially during these times is important as many resort to the media to relax, destress and have fun. That’s why I strive to put feel-good and encouraging content out there. I understand how certain quantitative aspects of social media in ‘likes’ and comments can really cause people to compare themselves to other’s highlight flashes and can feel like numbers prove your worth. Honestly, I used to feel this way a lot, until I started telling myself that numbers don’t determine who you are, but YOU do. Although easier said than done, it is a process that takes time and will be totally worth it.
I try to represent my artist brand in a way that takes the uplifting and empowering messages from my music, and channel that energy through a vibrant and exuberant visual style. This is reflected in my personality as well. Music to me is rewarding because of the support and feedback I receive from my followers. I am humbled, grateful, and feel blessed by their love and appreciation for my work. I engage with my fans constantly and make it a point to not only thank them but also encourage them to pursue their dreams. Their support means the world to me and they are part of my extended family.”
Where does inspiration for your music come from?
Cmagic5: “Music was all around me as a child. Although no one in my family sang or played music, it was a medium that helped us all get through difficult and challenging times and brought everyone together through thick and thin. For me, music is medicine — something I have a deep and personal relationship with.
My music has been greatly inspired by real-life experiences and is a blend of reality and my vivid imagination. To me, music offers a tool, where I can creatively express myself. Throughout my elementary school years, I was bullied for having a vibrant personality and a creative sense of style. However, my experiences have only made me stronger and as a result, I was able to channel my emotions through various art forms such as music and fashion, to express myself without limitations."
When it comes to my original music, I always try to ensure that the instrumental music and song melody alone, are powerful enough to tell a story. My sound is all about a meaningful narrative wrapped up in an infectious beat and singable melody.”
photo courtesy of cmagic5
When you aren’t Cmagic5 the musician, who are you in your outside life?
Cmagic5: “While being a self-managed artist, I am a university student as well. I believe in dreaming the dream, keeping the faith, working hard, and staying humble! I feel truly blessed to live a life that I love waking up to each morning. Music is not part of my life but is my life. I live and breathe music. During the weekends, I enjoy mentoring and coaching aspiring students who want to create or those who are working towards a musical career. I am also an advocate for mental health and wellness programs.
I am also an ardent traveler and food lover and movie buff. I love to try cuisines for different parts of the world and watch every new movie that hits the theaters, especially now with a gradual return to normalcy.”
How do you relax in your free time?
Cmagic5: “With my back-to-back schedule, 24 hours in a day is not enough for me!! However, I absolutely love what I do. Through the hard way, I have learned that self-care and self-love are not only important but crucial for your mental health and this is the core message I also convey through my music. When I’m not working on my music, I love watching movies, hanging out with friends, and indulging in some of my favorite self-care activities like going for walks and taking a warm bath! Self-care activities are different for everyone, so find what works for you! Of course, I also love going to concerts! Fun fact, I love playing laser tag and have never lost a single game so far! I also love to travel and hope to as soon as it is safe again to do so.”
Can we expect to see “Dancing On My Heart” on an album soon?
Cmagic5: “Yes, indeed you said it. ‘Dancing On My Heart’ is the first song off my forthcoming EP in 2022. Being a musician, I feel it is important to explore different styles and genres. While my main genre is pop, the uniqueness of my sound is created by fusing other sub-genres into my songs. I never want my music to be predictable, and always want my listeners to expect the unexpected when it comes to my music. I truly believe that ‘variety is the quintessence of life.’”