Cinzia & The Eclipse
Photo Credit: Marlon Kuhnreich Photography
Cinzia & The Eclipse is a truly unique artist in the industry. Her music and mellowed-out instrumentals have allowed the artist to showcase her pure vocal talent. Cinzia has had an on and off relationship with music. After quitting guitar lessons at 12 years old, the artist returned to making music at 16 — it was a decision that has changed everything. Her 2018 single, “No Matter,” propelled the artist to a national audience. The song has earned her over 3.4 million Spotify streams alone, giving her a place on some of Spotify’s top playlists. Cinzia followed the hit with a string of other singles including her popular cover of “I Can’t Make You Love Me”. Her newest release, “Don’t Call Me Up,” was released in late May, which is accompanied by a music video on June 28th. We recently spoke to the artist about the new video, past releases, and more!
How did you get started making music?
I had some lessons at 12 but didn’t enjoy it. I mean I loved music but I just felt I wasn’t capable of playing and didn’t think I could sing then. I understand now that my voice is unique and that’s a good thing but growing up and having even a speaking voice let alone a singing voice different from everyone around me was tough to say the least. I started playing guitar and writing again when I was about 16 and kept it to myself mostly except for family BBQs and stuff. I studied Music Business after college and became a little more active in the local scene in Montreal working with bands and promoting concerts. I had a musician friend who convinced me to record a song at some point and it got some okay feedback. Once you put out one song it’s a little like a tattoo. You just want to put out more and more and more. I took my time getting a proper band together for live shows and wanted to be sure we all vibed together and were all friends who understand each other. A few months after we finally got our band together (which by the way is not today’s Cinzia & The Eclipse — we still love each other and are friends. We just had different plans), an old friend from high school named Lucas reached out to me saying he wanted to see if we could create something together! We talked SO much the first time, we met up again and have been working together ever since. He’s my main guy! My day one who’s always going to tell me the truth and always understand the direction of my songs.
Most artists have a dream venue. Where’s yours?
Honestly, my dream venue is still Metropolis in Montreal. Better known as M Telus today but it’ll always be Metropolis to me. I’ve seen most of my favorite artists there. I don’t know if it’s the memories I’ve made there, the intimate size, or just Montreal crowds but it feels like home. I really want to play a hometown show at Metropolis one day (and hopefully sell out!).
It’s collab time: Who are you writing a song with?
JULIA MICHAELS PLEASE! What a songwriting beast that woman is! I’d love to get in a room with her and just work together.
“Don’t Call Me Up” is fantastic. Walk us through writing the song.
“Don’t Call Me Up” came to be after an ex messaged me with an old memory of us. We both knew whatever we had was done. He moved on, but I’d be lying if I said I did at that time. In my annoyance over the lack of control I had over the situation, I wrote the song’s first line: “Don’t call me up if you’re not in love with me anymore.” Luca (my producer) and I went through so many different versions of the song. We both agreed it wasn’t exactly what it was supposed to be in the earlier versions of it. I wanted the production to still be vulnerable, but strong. Like that fulfilling moment when you put your foot down and make the tough decision to think of yourself over anyone else. When I got back from a full summer in Toronto with Canada’s Music Incubator, I had this confidence of the sound I wanted and the type of artist I wanted to be. So we got in the studio and put it all on the table!
What’s one talent you wish you had?
I wish I could paint! I mean I could paint but it won’t be pretty :)
Can you walk us through the moment you learned “I Can’t Make You Love Me” hit 1 million streams on Spotify?
I think this was at the beginning of May and actually I saw the numbers by accident. I was using Spotify to build some stats for “Don’t Call Me Up,” which was coming out on May 22nd. I opened up my Spotify app, saw the 1 million, and just stared really annoyed as if my phone was glitching. I can’t remember what I thought the problem was but I definitely didn’t think “Oh yeah 1 million. That makes sense!”. I opened and closed the app and started to realize that was the actual number and FREAKED. I mean this was a cover I made of a song by Bonnie Raitt that broke my heart in the best way possible and then broke it again when I heard Bon Iver’s version. I don’t think it’s so much of the number of streams that affected me, but the number of people it takes to create a number like that. I was shaking and my heart was pounding just thinking about how many of us across the world can be feeling the same emotions and vulnerability through the 4 minutes of this song.
You just released the music video for "Don't Call Me Up" on June 29th. What was the inspiration for the video?
I had an idea for the music video and the director, Francine Romano, really helped perfect it and bring it to life! “Don’t Call Me Up” was a really tough song to write because it has this balance of being strong enough to leave what’s hurting you, but also being vulnerable enough to admit that you’re hurting. The music video needed to embody that. The music video is a walk through of old memories that you can try to escape but are still imposing themselves upon your daily life.
