Prepare for a laid-back, “bubbly” Friday night with Colbie Caillat. The down-to-earth singer is coming to The Blue Note with a guitar in her hand and flip flops on her feet – well, maybe not so much with flips flops. This cool, fall Missouri weather is a bit of a change from her native Hawaii roots.
Performing in Columbia is a bit of a change from what Caillat is used to. Madison Square Garden, among others, is quite large compared to the unique college town vibe of The Blue Note.
“College towns are always so warm and more personal than huge cities,” Caillat says in an email. “And college audiences really know my music, so they make me feel at home.”
Caillat’s latest album, “All of You,” was released worldwide July 12. This third album is a more candid account of who Caillat really is and it openly explores the relationships in her life.
“I think this album is a very honest album,” Caillat says. “This new album is a more settled me. I am comfortable with my success and exploring all my feelings and those of friends and family. My music has always explored relationships, but I think that this album does it even more and more openly.”
Baring her soul in her new album made Caillat a little nervous about how it would be received.
“Sometimes, a song like ‘Shadow’ is very specifically about a friend, and others are more an amalgamation of my own and other people’s experiences,” Caillat says. “And when a song is very personal to a friend, I’m always a little nervous about playing it for them.”
Alhough touring can be quite stressful, Caillat does as much as possible to keep herself grounded so she doesn’t turn into a diva on tour.
“I am in touch with friends and family all the time, so that keeps me grounded,” Caillat says. “My friends from high school and elementary school are still my best friends.”
When she’s not touring, Caillat uses home remedies to prevent herself from letting success go to her head.
“When I’m home I like to chill out, exercise, hike with my dog and my boyfriend, and I spend a lot of time with my sister and her husband,” Caillat says. “I think that keeps me pretty normal.”
Despite her success, Caillat still promotes keeping the planet safe and healthy.
“Whether it’s leaving garbage on the beach, or throwing things out a window or not taking care of your pet, or eating too much meat, everything has a rippling effect on our planet,” Caillat says. “I wish people took the time to consider the effect of their actions.”
Caillat supports a number of organizations and thinks its important to get involved.
“I want to encourage all my fans to take an active role in their communities and in the causes that concern them,” Caillat says. “I support Farm Sanctuary, the Humane Society of the US (and) Surfrider Foundation. So, think about what is important to you now and in the future and volunteer.”
If you miss Colbie Caillat at The Blue Note this weekend, no worries. You can still get your fix by watching her perform “It’s My Party” on Playboy Club on Oct. 3 on NBC as Leslie Gore, an actual performer for the club in the 1960s.
