Alt-pop artist Celeste Corsano presents mesmerizing single 'XS', where size counts

October 1, 2025

Alternative pop artist Celeste Corsano has released her new single 'XS' via Magic Door Record Label. Conveying feelings of insecurity, body image issues, and the pressure for perfection and success, often driven by media and external standards, she uses the double meaning of "XS" (extra small) sizes and "excess" success. With a sound wrapped in analogue perfection, Corsano grapples with the cycle of comparison and the fleeting nature of achieving an "industry standard" of happiness.

Based in Milford, Pennsylvania (on the border with New Jersey), Corsano once again made the short trip to Magic Door Recording Studio in Montclair, NJ to work with Ray Ketchem (Guided by Voices, Elk City, Gramercy Arms, Luna, Crash Harmony), who produced, recorded, mixed and mastered this release. Recalling The Cars and Kate Bush, 'XS' appears on the trail of three stunning singles - 'Stuck', 'Nightbird'and 'Sunlight Gazing'.

"XS is about feeling like an outsider and trying to fit in, insecurities about body image and the trap of perfection. These mindsets come from my own insecurities based on my personal experiences, examples of women I've seen growing up and by outside sources such as the media and the entertainment industry," says Celeste Corsano.

"The lyrics "XS" and "XXS" come from the clothing tags that I often fit into and the sort of shallow and fleeting satisfaction that I feel when I do...silly and kind of sad, but true. But there are other meanings. I'm comparing myself to other peoples' success and I feel like I don't measure up".

This song features famed guitarist James Mastro (The Bongos, Mott the Hoople, Ian Hunter, Patti Smith, John Cale), Ray Ketchem (Guided by Voices, Elk City, Gramercy Arms, Luna, Crash Harmony) on drums and synths, and David Nagler (Nova Social, Joan Baez, Aaron Neville, Rosanne Cash, Yo La Tengo) on bass.

"XS" begins with a light pop feel, but by the end develops an ominous tone that is highlighted fantastically with Ray Ketchem's tribal drumming and cymbal splashes and James Mastro's dark chord play. The creative production and analog synthesizers also enhance its primal feel; as if I am grappling in the wilderness of these thoughts of mine and singing with a troubled sarcasm which I feel reveals my true feelings about the bondage or cycle of comparison that we can all get into," says Corsano.

"Feeling we have achieved the "industry standard" of whatever it is we are trying to achieve - be it body size, our image in our creative expression, or success in social circles, perhaps, but then saying, “Well, have I reached it? Am I now in the perfect spot of happiness?” We all know how transitory this can be and the ambivalence that may set in after that high wears off."

Corsano's music blends poetic lyricism with adventurous arrangements, unexpected rhythms and a distinct emotional range -- from ethereal and moody to playful and bold. With a natural use of mixed meters and layered vocal timbres, her fearless approach to storytelling conveys a deeper truth. With a simple unassuming style, there's a disarming honesty in her work that feels deeply personal, yet speaks to something we all feel. Revealing a vulnerability that is both deeply personal and strikingly relatable, her sparse, almost childlike vocals amplify its impact.

From a musical family, Celeste is inspired by her brothers - Latin roots musician Tony Corsano and percussionist Chris Corsano (Björk, Kim Gordon, Thurston Moore). Corsano began in NYC's live music scene, drawing inspiration from punk and new wave while also writing poetry and studying art. After initially performing Celtic and Bluegrass music, she evolved into a songwriter. She also honed her ear during countless studio sessions with her ex-husband, producer Brad Morrison (and founder of Absolute A-Go-Go Records), working with notable artists like Phish, the Figgs and Spiral Jetty.

'XS' is out now, available from fine online music platforms, including Bandcamp, where her latest singles 'Stuck', 'Sunlight Gazing' and 'Nightbird' can also be found.

Indie-pop artist CELESTE CORSANO offers an animated escape for charming single 'Stuck'

August 4, 2025

Alternative pop artist Celeste Corsano has unveiled the video for her latest single 'Stuck', the third in a trilogy of singles the Pennsylvania-based artist has released this year, following 'Nightbird' and 'Sunlight Gazing'. With hues of Kate Bush and Tori Amos, Corsano is the latest artist to join the talented roster of blossoming Montclair, NJ-based indie label Magic Door Record Label.

This song features famed guitarist James Mastro (The Bongos, Mott the Hoople, Ian Hunter, Patti Smith, John Cale), drummer Ray Ketchem (Guided by Voices, Elk City, Gramercy Arms, Luna, Crash Harmony) and keyboardist-bassist David Nagler (Nova Social, Joan Baez, Aaron Neville, Rosanne Cash, Yo La Tengo).

A tender composition that explores being caught in the inescapable grip of an emotional impasse, Corsano masterfully conveys the struggle of a mind wrestling with an unyielding heart, creating an intimate space where raw emotion takes center-stage. The animated video reflects this perfectly through the journey of a ball cutting loose from his existing reality and his loss of direction to find a new path.

"I'm really excited to have a video for this song - the first video created for my music. This artist, known as Brother JT, is an incredible musician, artist and animator. So happy to share it with everyone. It’s fantastic and gives me goosebumps. Lots of humor and wisdom here and very well thought-out," says Celeste Corsano.

"'Stuck' is a "little" song with a big meaning. The lyrics come from a tender place that needed simplicity and not a big vocal sound. Actually, any time I tried to sing it any differently, the vocals still came out simplistic and childlike."

A gentle but potent counterpoint to the noisy world we live in, Corsano forfeits flashy gestures in favor of the quiet sacred space, offering an raw peek into the most fragile parts of our hearts. With a simple unassuming style, there's a disarming honesty in her work that feels deeply personal, yet speaks to something we all feel. Revealing a vulnerability that is both deeply personal and strikingly relatable, her sparse, almost childlike vocals amplify its impact.

Corsano's music blends poetic lyricism with adventurous arrangements, unexpected rhythms and a distinct emotional range -- from ethereal and moody to playful and bold. With a natural use of mixed meters and layered vocal timbres, her fearless approach to storytelling conveys a deeper truth.

For the past year, Corsano has been working with renowned producer Ray Ketchem (Guided by Voices, Elk City, Gramercy Arms, Luna, Crash Harmony) at Magic Door Recording Studio, who produced, recorded, mixed and mastered this release, as well as several recordings to follow.

"When I first brought the demo to Ray Ketchem, drummer on all of my recordings and producer / engineer at Magic Door Recording, he remarked about the time changes. Actually all the singles I brought to him had some time changes and Ray did a fantastic job interpreting them into the arrangement with the drums. I write on piano, so it was percussive already, but was fully realized and blossomed into the wonderful arrangements that all three songs are now," says Celeste Corsano.

"Guitarist James Mastro and synth and bass player, David Nagler added the perfect touches to the arrangement, complete with a great guitar solo, and some added percussion to finish off the song perfectly."

From a musical family, Celeste is inspired by her brothers - Latin roots musician Tony Corsano and percussionist Chris Corsano (Björk, Kim Gordon, Thurston Moore). Corsano began in NYC's live music scene, drawing inspiration from punk and new wave while also writing poetry and studying art. After initially performing Celtic and Bluegrass music, she evolved into a songwriter. She also honed her ear during countless studio sessions with her ex-husband, producer Brad Morrison (and founder of Absolute A-Go-Go Records), working with notable artists like Phish, the Figgs and Spiral Jetty.

'Stuck' is out now, available from fine online music platforms, including Bandcamp, where 'Sunlight Gazing' and 'Nightbird' can also be found.

Alt-pop songstress Celeste Corsano moves forward and upward with new 'Stuck' single

July 8, 2025

Presenting the third in a trilogy of singles this year, alternative pop artist Celeste Corsano presents 'Stuck', a tender exploration of being caught in the inescapable grip of an emotional impasse. Here she masterfully conveys the struggle of a mind wrestling with an unyielding heart, creating an intimate space where raw emotion takes center-stage.

In a world clamouring for bombast, Corsano delivers a powerful intimacy in this raw, unfiltered dive into the tender corners of the human heart, delivered with a disarming simplicity that belies its profound emotional depth. Revealing a vulnerability that is both deeply personal and strikingly relatable, her sparse, almost childlike vocals amplify its impact.

"'Stuck' is a "little" song with a big meaning. The lyrics come from a tender place that needed simplicity and not a big vocal sound. Actually, any time I tried to sing it any differently, the vocals still came out simplistic and childlike," says Celeste Corsano.

"There aren't many lyrics but there is the play on the lyric "something in the way". The first verse meaning "something in the way that I'm feeling", and the second verse to mean "something is in my way...something in my heart". Both refer to a heart situation that I can't let go of. I'm stuck, for better or worse in a vulnerable heart space. "I should know better.." says the mind....how do you tell a heart that?? There's some more going on in these brief lyrics and I hope it speaks to you too."

Earlier, Corsano released the singles 'Nightbird' and 'Sunlight Gazing'. With hues of Kate Bush and Tori Amos, this singer-songwriter is the latest artist to be added to the growing roster of the blossoming Montclair, NJ-based indie label Magic Door Record Label.

Corsano's music blends poetic lyricism with adventurous arrangements, unexpected rhythms and a distinct emotional range -- from ethereal and moody to playful and bold. With a natural use of mixed meters and layered vocal timbres, her fearless approach to storytelling conveys a deeper truth.

For the past year, Corsano has been working with renowned producer Ray Ketchem (Guided by Voices, Elk City, Gramercy Arms, Luna, Crash Harmony) at Magic Door Recording Studio, who produced, recorded, mixed and mastered this release, as well as several recordings to follow.

With Ketchem also on drums, this single also features fantastically notable guitarist James Mastro (The Bongos, Mott the Hoople, Ian Hunter, Patti Smith, John Cale) and keyboardist-bass player David Nagler of Nova Social (who has also played with Joan Baez, Aaron Neville, Rosanne Cash, Andrew Bird, Steve Earleand Yo La Tengo).

"When I first brought the demo to Ray Ketchem, drummer on all of my recordings and producer / engineer at Magic Door Recording, he remarked about the time changes. Actually all the singles I brought to him had some time changes and Ray did a fantastic job interpreting them into the arrangement with the drums. I write on piano, so it was percussive already, but was fully realized and blossomed into the wonderful arrangements that all three songs are now," says Celeste Corsano.

"Guitarist James Mastro and synth and bass player, David Nagler added the perfect touches to the arrangement, complete with a great guitar solo, and some added percussion to finish off the song perfectly."

Born into a musical family, Celeste is inspired by her brothers - Latin roots musician Tony Corsano and avant-garde percussionist Chris Corsano (Björk, Kim Gordon, Thurston Moore). After discovering the pulse of the new wave and punk scenes, Corsano was initiated in NYC’s live music scene, in addition to writing poetry, studying art and absorbing sound at a granular level. Initially performing Celtic and Bluegrass music in the tri-state area, she has evolved as a solo artist and songwriter.

Corsano also honed her ear during countless studio recording sessions, attended with her ex-husband Brad Morrison, producer and founder of Absolute A-Go-Go Records, known for working with such notable artists as Phish, the Figgs and Spiral Jetty.

As of July 8, 'Stuck' is available from fine online music platforms, including Bandcamp, where 'Sunlight Gazing' and 'Nightbird' can also be found.

Pennsylvania alt-pop artist Celeste Corsano presents haunting & passionate 'Nightbird' single

May 30, 2025

Pennsylvania-based artist Celeste Corsano presents her new single 'Nightbird', the dark side of the ying-yang, following her recently-released debut single 'Sunlight Gazing'. An innovative singer-songwriter, Corsano is the latest artist to be added to the growing roster of the blossoming Montclair, NJ-based indie label Magic Door Record Label.

Corsano's music blends poetic lyricism with adventurous arrangements, unexpected rhythms and a distinct emotional range -- from ethereal and moody to playful and bold. With a natural use of mixed meters and layered vocal timbres, her fearless approach to storytelling conveys a deeper truth.

"I live in a rural area. There's nights when I can't sleep, thinking about my living dreams, desires and worries...the noise and chaos of my circumstances and feelings crowd my mind. When that happens, I lie in bed and look out my window and see the shadows of trees, lightning bugs flash, and sometimes hear the cry of a fisher cat... so eerie and wild. I hear the call of an owl, or see a bird that's been disturbed from its perch and fly to another spot. The sights and sounds become part of a message to me.... a nightbird...calling to me," says Celeste Corsano.

For the past year, Corsano has been working with renowned producer Ray Ketchem (Guided by Voices, Elk City, Gramercy Arms, Luna, Crash Harmony) at Magic Door Recording Studio, who produced, recorded, mixed and mastered this release, as well as several recordings to follow.

With Ketchem also on drums, this single also features fantastically notable guitarist James Mastro (The Bongos, Mott the Hoople, Ian Hunter, Patti Smith, John Cale) and keyboardist-bass player David Nagler of Nova Social (who has also played with Joan Baez, Aaron Neville, Rosanne Cash, Andrew Bird, Steve Earleand Yo La Tengo).

"I came to Ray Ketchem with iPhone recordings of my keyboard, voice, lyrics and a dream.... and for the next few months I traveled 1 1/2 hours one way to have one of the best times and learning experiences of my life. Ray was the producer, drummer and engineer for my songs, He created the fundamental groundwork and direction for Nightbird with his distinctive drum riff," says Celeste Corsano.

"Besides my demo, the drums were a catalyst and inspiration for guitarist James Mastro and synth player-bassist David Nagler to create the full tapestry, against which I could express myself vocally when it came time to record my tracks. I remember feeling so elated and on a musical high watching and listening to Mastro record the tracks for 'Nightbird'. Those hours are unforgettable. He was a part of the music, his entire body and expression connected to his guitar, rippling like water to its sounds. The guitar work expresses the lyrics so perfectly. It was very moving to watch."

She adds, "David Nagler selected the coolest sounds and added so much to the attitude of this song. When the bass first comes into the song it sends chills. Working with Ray, James and David was such an inspiration. All three of them are so down to earth, personable and into the music. They are all legendary in the music realm and I'm so fortunate to have worked with them."

Raised on a steady diet of lyric-driven artists, Corsano then discovered the pulse of the new wave and punk scenes. Quite active in NYC’s live music scene in her youth, she also wrote poetry, studied art and absorbed sound at a granular level. Initially performing Celtic and Bluegrass music in the tri-state area, she ultimately evolved as a solo artist, writing her own material.

Coming from a deeply musical family, Celeste draws constant inspiration from her brothers - Latin roots musician Tony Corsano and avant-garde percussionist Chris Corsano (Björk, Kim Gordon, Thurston Moore). She also honed her ear during countless studio recording sessions attended with her ex-husband Brad Morrison, producer and founder of Absolute A-Go-Go Records, known for working with such notable artists as Phish, the Figgs and Spiral Jetty.

As of May 27, 'Nightbird' is available from fine online music platforms, including Bandcamp, where 'Sunlight Gazing' can also be found. Additional releases are expected to follow throughout 2025.

Celeste Corsano debuts with captivating 'Sunlight Gazing' single via Magic Door Record Label

April 24, 2025

Pennsylvania-based artist Celeste Corsano presents her debut single 'Sunlight Gazing', a penetrating ethereal rock offering from the latest artist to be added to the growing roster of the blossoming Montclair, NJ-based indie label Magic Door Record Label.

An innovative singer-songwriter, Celeste Corsano's music blends poetic lyricism with adventurous arrangements, unexpected rhythms and a distinct emotional range -- from ethereal and moody to playful and bold. Marked by a natural use of mixed meters and layered vocal timbres, her fearless approach to storytelling always seeks the deeper truth within each tune.

"So much talk is cheap. From the media, to circles of our influence and community, to family and friends. There is so much posturing, hidden agendas, wanting 'what's best' and ego, and insecurity. We're all trying to survive and build our dreams, and we all have our template of words that we often use to communicate to others and also to ourselves, but we starve for real words and real feeling to give and receive from others and our own inner voice," says Celeste Corsano.

"To veer away from the flock is scary, but to be aware and be scared while moving away from the flock is courage. "Smoke from a fire not lit yet..." My hidden potential... sometimes I just need to tune out all the talk and the influences....what's that you said? "I'm busy sunlight gazing, I can't hear you anymore".

For the past year or so, Corsano has been working with renowned producer Ray Ketchem (Guided by Voices, Elk City, Gramercy Arms, Luna, Crash Harmony) at Magic Door Recording Studio, who not only produced, but also recorded, mixed and mastered this release and several recordings to follow.

With Ketchem also on drums, this single also features fantastically notable guitarist James Mastro (The Bongos, Mott the Hoople, Ian Hunter, Patti Smith, John Cale) and keyboardist-bass player David Nagler of Nova Social (who has also played with Joan Baez, Aaron Neville, Rosanne Cash, Andrew Bird, Steve Earleand Yo La Tengo). Corsano notes, "Ray's drumming created the fundamental sound and direction for these songs and was a true catalyst for the sound and vibe"..

Raised on a steady diet of lyric-driven artists like George Harrison, Leonard Cohen and John Lennon, she later fell under the spell of David Bowie, Pink Floyd, Kate Bush, and the pulse of the new wave and punk scenes. Quite active in NYC’s live music scene during her youth, she also wrote poetry, studied art and absorbed sound at a granular level.

Beginning her music career performing traditional Celtic and Bluegrass music across the tri-state area before evolving into a solo artist, writing her own material, Celeste Corsano comes from a deeply musical family, drawing constant inspiration from her brothers - Latin roots musician Tony Corsano and avant-garde percussionist Chris Corsano(Björk, Kim Gordon, Thurston Moore).

Celeste also had the benefit of developing her listening ear while attending countless studio recording sessions with her first husband, Brad Morrison, producer and founder of Absolute A-Go-Go Records, known for working with such notable artists as Phish, the Figgs and Spiral Jetty.

'Sunlight Gazing' is out now, available from fine online music platforms, including Bandcamp. Additional releases are expected to follow throughout 2025.