Meet Calista Del Toro | Singer & Songwriter

We had the good fortune of connecting with Calista Del Toro and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Calista, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
Ever since my first performance at 4 years old, I knew the stage was where I was meant to be. There is literally nothing else in the world that makes me feel as empowered and connected to people than when I’m on stage. Although it can be a complex journey that requires a lot of patience (which I lack), there is nothing else I’d rather be doing.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Starting off in a band at 15, making music was just about expression and having fun. Now at 23, trying to make a living off of music can be pretty difficult at times. I’m currently working 2 jobs; as a hostess at a hotel and a recreation leader at an aquatic center, just to support myself and continue my journey with music. There are times when I feel overwhelmed, but then I perform again and know all of the work is worth it. You just have to keep pushing forward, asking questions, and most importantly… believing in yourself.

I recently released my first EP, “Losing My Mind”, which I’m very proud of. The EP consists of three songs: “Break”, “You’re More”, and “Losing My Mind”. When I wrote these, I was definitely the most open and vulnerable that I’ve ever been in my songwriting. What makes me happiest about this project is knowing that my songs- especially “Break”, truly connect with others. All I’ve ever wanted to do is connect with others through my music, so being able to do that with the few songs I have now motivates me to continue being open and vulnerable in my writing.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
My favorite thing to do right now is to try new foods/desserts. I’ve always been super picky and scared when it comes to trying new foods, but this year I’ve made it a goal to push myself to try different things. I love to grab a bite and have a nice little evening walk at my favorite spots: Auntie’s Bakery in Whittier, Craft’s Smoke and Fire in Pasadena, and Moo Moo Mia in Monrovia. But of course, nothing can ever beat homemade meals from my grandma or my mom and a few games of Rummikub or Poker after.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would not be where I am today without the constant support of my entire family- especially my mom, dad, and sister. From taking me to dancing lessons in West Hollywood, singing lessons in Montebello, guitar lessons in Alhambra… there was never an ounce of complaint from my mom. My dad would take me to any concert/little gig he could find just so I could see live performances and learn some good dos and don’ts. In this new social media era, my sister has been a major help in pushing me to try new things and put myself out there. I’m so very grateful for every little thing that they have done and continue to do to support my journey.

Website: http://www.calistadeltoro.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/calistadeltoro

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@calistadeltoro

Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2AdpTsL9U2vslmS8y7XXtc?si=X_rvyfZaRYiw41xJu6uRxA https://music.apple.com/us/artist/calista-del-toro/1450682293

Image Credits
Cris Lopez and Darathy Chheang