An Interview With Celeste Swift

Singer-songwriter Celeste Swift steps into the spotlight with her debut single, “Now That You’re Gone”. Every lyric of this heartfelt ballad serves as a tribute to her late father and the enduring love he left behind.

Produced by Mark Beling, the song carries a message of hope and resilience – confronting loss while inspiring listeners to find strength and seek support.

In this interview, we explore Celeste Swift’s journey – from intimate pub performances to crafting a powerful anthem – uncovering the deeper meaning behind her music and her vision for healing through song.

Celeste, can you share how your journey as a musician began? What drew you to music and performing live in the local music scene?

“I’ve always been a performer at heart. Whether it was through acting, singing, or simply expressing myself on stage, I felt most alive when I was creating and connecting with people. Early on, I explored the acting side of performance, but around 2009/2010, I felt an undeniable pull towards music. There was something about the emotional depth and immediacy of music that spoke to me in a way nothing else could.”

“It wasn’t just about entertaining – it was about expressing something real, something that could touch people beyond words. That’s when I really began to focus on live music and performing locally. What drew me in was the energy of the live scene – the rawness, the connection, the shared emotion between artist and audience.”

“Performing live has a certain magic: no two shows are ever the same, and in those moments, you’re not just singing to people – you’re sharing something with them. It’s vulnerable, it’s electric, and it’s where I feel most at home.”

Your debut single “Now That You’re Gone” is a tribute to your late father. What inspired you to write this song, and how did the writing process unfold?

“”Now That You’re Gone” was born out of a moment of emotional honesty that had been building for years. My father passed away in 2014, and it was a loss that left a deep imprint on me. He took his own life, and for a long time, I didn’t have the words or the strength to fully process that grief. I think I tried to carry on, to be strong, but in doing so, I buried so much of what I was truly feeling.”

“It wasn’t until much later that I realised how much that unspoken grief was affecting me – not just emotionally, but creatively and personally. One day, it just became clear that I needed to face it. So, I sat down, gave myself the space to return to that moment in time, and the song started to unfold. I almost had to take a few emotional steps backwards – to transport myself back to 2014 – and when I did, the lyrics started pouring out.”

“The writing process was raw and overwhelming, but also incredibly healing. It felt like the words had been waiting for me all along, and once I allowed myself to go there, the melody and emotion followed naturally. This song is not just a tribute to my dad – it’s also a reflection of everything I couldn’t say back then.”

“It’s about loss, yes, but also about release, reflection, and the quiet strength that comes from confronting your pain. It’s the most personal thing I’ve ever written, and I hope it brings comfort to anyone who might be carrying their own silent grief.”

Mark Beling, an icon in SA music, produced the track. How did you connect with Mark, and what did he bring to the song’s sound and production?

“I’ve known Mark Beling for a few years now, and my husband and I have always been big supporters of his music. We regularly go to see him perform live, and every time we do, I’m reminded of his incredible musicality and presence – not just as a performer, but as a true storyteller through sound.”

“So, when it came time to bring “Now That You’re Gone” to life in the studio, there was no doubt in my mind that Mark was the person I wanted to work with. Working with him on this song was an incredibly powerful experience. He has this amazing ability to take a deeply personal story and translate it into something that’s sonically rich, emotionally layered, and still beautifully restrained where it needs to be.”

“Mark really listened – not just to the melody or lyrics, but to the heart behind the song. He understood the emotional weight of what I was trying to say and treated it with so much care and sensitivity. In terms of sound, he brought a perfect balance of warmth and clarity. The production is deeply emotive but never overwhelming. He created space for the vocals to breathe and let the message shine through. He added subtle instrumental elements that enhance the mood without taking away from the rawness of the lyrics. It’s polished, yes – but still deeply human. That’s what I love most about his touch.”

The song deals with loss but carries a strong message of hope. How do you balance those emotions in your songwriting?

“Balancing grief and hope in my songwriting is something that happens quite naturally, because that’s what real life feels like – grief and hope existing side by side. “Now That You’re Gone” was born from a place of deep personal loss, but even as I was writing it, I knew I didn’t want it to leave people in a place of despair. I wanted it to reflect the pain honestly, but also to gently lead towards healing.”

“When I write, I try to be as emotionally truthful as possible. I don’t shy away from the hard feelings – the sadness, the confusion, the longing – but I also try to find the light that still exists within those emotions. Sometimes that light is small and quiet, but it’s there. That’s what I wanted this song to capture: that even in the deepest moments of loss, there is still a reason to keep going. There is still love, there is still memory, and there is always hope. I think it’s that emotional honesty that allows both the sadness and the strength to coexist in the song. It’s not about choosing one over the other – it’s about honouring them both.”

You’ve mentioned that one of your goals is to foster mental health awareness through your music. What do you hope listeners will feel or do after hearing your song?

“One of my biggest hopes for the song is that it becomes more than just a song – that it becomes a moment of connection for anyone who hears it. Mental health is something so many people struggle with silently, and my goal is to help break that silence through music that speaks honestly about pain, healing, and hope.”

“After hearing the song, I hope listeners feel seen. I want them to know that whatever they’re going through – grief, loss, emotional exhaustion – they’re not alone in it. Sometimes, just hearing your own feelings reflected in someone else’s story can be incredibly powerful. It can open the door to healing, or at the very least, help someone take the first step towards talking about what they’re feeling.”

“More than anything, I hope the song encourages people to reach out, to check in on loved ones, to speak up if they’re struggling, and to give themselves permission to feel – without shame. If it gives someone the strength to open, to seek help, or even just to breathe a little easier, then it’s done exactly what I hoped it would.”

Alongside the single, you released a music video. Can you tell us about the concept behind the video and how it complements the song’s message?

“The concept behind the music video was to visually reflect the emotional journey of the song – from isolation and grief to release and quiet hope. We chose to keep the visuals simple but powerful, allowing the emotion to lead every frame. The video was shot in two main locations: a wide, open field and alongside a railway track – both chosen very intentionally.”

“The open field represents that feeling of emotional emptiness and vulnerability that comes with loss. It’s vast and quiet – almost like the internal space we retreat to when we’re grieving. At the same time, it offers a sense of peace and stillness – something reflective and healing.”

“The railway line, on the other hand, symbolises life’s journey and the passage of time. It’s a reminder that even in our pain, we keep moving forward, step by step. I wanted the video to complement the song’s message by creating visual metaphors that people could feel, rather than just watch. Nothing is overly dramatic or forced. It is intentionally raw, real, and slow-paced – much like the process of grief itself.”

“The focus remains on the emotional weight of the song, while gently hinting at the hope that exists on the other side of pain. Ultimately, the video is about honouring the past while finding the strength to move forward. I hope it gives viewers space to feel, reflect, and perhaps even begin their own healing journey – just as creating it helped me on mine.”

Before releasing original music, you were performing live at intimate venues and local gigs. How have those experiences on stage and connecting with audiences shaped you as an artist?

“Performing live at intimate venues and local gigs played a huge role in shaping who I am as an artist today. There’s something special about those smaller spaces – when you’re face to face with the audience, every moment feels personal and real. You can see every expression, feel every reaction, and that connection becomes part of the performance itself.

“It taught me that music isn’t just about singing a song – it’s about sharing something meaningful with the people in front of you. Those early experiences helped me find my voice – not just vocally, but emotionally. They taught me how to be vulnerable on stage, how to read a room, and how to shift energy with a song or a story.”

“When someone in the audience resonates with a lyric, or you see a tear during a ballad, it reminds you why you do what you do. That kind of feedback is instant and honest, and it helped me grow not only in confidence, but in purpose.”

Looking forward, are you working on more original music? What can fans expect next from Celeste Swift?

“Yes, I’m working on more original music and I’m so excited for what’s coming next. I’m currently developing a couple of new songs, and I’m really looking forward to heading back into the studio with Mark Beling again soon.

As for what fans can expect … expect honesty. Expect music that comes straight from the heart. Every lyric I write is drawn from real-life experiences – some joyful, some painful – but all deeply personal. My goal is always to create songs that not only tell my story but hopefully speak to something in yours too.”

Finally, what would you say to someone who’s struggling with grief or mental health issues, inspired by your own experiences and the message of this song?

“If I could sit down with someone who’s struggling with grief or mental health challenges, I’d want them to know – you are not alone. I know what it feels like to carry pain quietly, to smile through heartbreak, and to feel like no one could possibly understand what you’re going through.”

“But, I’ve also learned that healing begins the moment you allow yourself to feel, to speak, and to reach out. To anyone out there who’s struggling – know that your feelings are valid. Your story matters, and even though it might not feel like it right now, there is always hope.”

“Don’t be afraid to reach out for help, for connection, for light. You don’t have to walk through this alone. And if all you can do today is breathe, that is more than enough. One small step at a time – you’re already on your way.”

As our conversation wraps up, Celeste’s words remind us that even in loss, music can bring light. Her single and video “Now That You’re Gone” is available to stream, and I encourage everyone to watch the video, listen to the song, and share this message of hope – music has the power to heal, one heart at a time.

I would like to thank Celeste Swift for this interview. I wish her the best with her future musical endeavours.

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