Tag: Debut Album

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London’s Public Pianos

London's public pianos

I recently went around different stations in London, stopping at London’s public pianos and performing a few songs from my upcoming album. And I have to say, it was slightly nerve-racking! When you do a show, people have turned up because they know you’re performing. They’ve bought tickets, they’re there for the music and you know you have an audience waiting for you. This was completely different. These were just people going about their everyday lives, rushing through the station, catching trains, heading to work or wherever they needed to be.

Singing in public!

There was no big announcement. No stage. No Mics, No lights. Just a piano in the middle of a few busy London stations and my big fog horn voice 😂

What happened next was honestly so lovely.

London's public pianos

People started stopping in their tracks. You could see them going from being completely focused on where they were heading to suddenly thinking, hang on… what’s going on here? People were filming on their phones, taking photos and, most importantly, genuinely stopping to listen. And that’s such a brilliant feeling because London is busy. Everyone is constantly on the move, and people don’t always have time to stop and take notice of what’s happening around them. So to see people actually pause their day for a few minutes and enjoy the music was really special.

Singing in public!

I was also lucky enough to have the amazing Roy Hay from Culture Club join me on the piano, along with two incredible backing vocalists, Mary and Chloe. Having them there made the whole experience even more special. One of the craziest moments was seeing rapper Tinchy Stryder stop in his tracks to watch us. 😂 It was such a lovely coincidence because Tinchy and I actually did a gig together at the Camden Roundhouse for SoundCloud a number of years ago. So to randomly reconnect like that, right in the middle of one of London’s busiest stations, was wild.

Tinchy Stryder stops in his tracks to watch us

More than anything, I loved being able to give people a little taste of what’s coming with my new album. These weren’t fans or followers who had bought a ticket or people who knew the songs already. They were members of the public who happened to be passing by.

And maybe that’s what made it so exciting.

There was no expectation. No idea of who would stop, who would listen or what people would think. Just music, London’s Public Pianos and the city carrying on around us.

London's public pianos

To see people stop, smile, film, take photos and genuinely enjoy themselves was such a wonderful reminder of why I love performing.

Sometimes the most unexpected audiences can be the most rewarding and it was lovely to share a little taste of the new album with London. ❤️🎹

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Recording With Boy George!

Recording with Boy George in London

After few incredible weeks recording under the LA sun, I’m back in the UK and straight back into the creative flow. This time, the music has brought me to London, for a session with Boy George!

I came here to write and record a feature for my album with the one and only Boy George.

It’s funny thinking back to the first time we met in LA, sitting there sharing ideas, influences and possibilities for where the music could go. Even now, actually being here and bringing those conversations to life still feels a little surreal.

Like most people, you’ve heard the music of Culture Club all your life. It’s been on the radio, in films, and drifting through the background of everyday moments for decades. The sound is instantly recognisable and somehow I find myself in the studio with Boy George and Roy Hay, creating a song that’s going to be on my debut album!

The sessions themselves have been something special. I’ve also been working alongside Oscar Simons, an Abbey Road alumni whose musical instincts are razor sharp. Collaborating with people who genuinely understand the spirit of what you’re trying to create makes all the difference, not just chasing sounds or trends, but focusing on what truly connects and reflects me an artist.

The trip turned into much more than just studio time, I had the chance to meet with people across the music industry and was even invited to visit the headquarters of BBC, which was a pretty special moment in itself. It’s just the start of my Journey but every now and then I catch myself for a moment and think… how did this become real?

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Back in LA

I'm back in LA for some more recording and a showcase

Being back in LA always feels a bit surreal for me. There’s something about the city, the sunshine, the music in the air, and the constant buzz of creativity that makes every trip feel special. This time I was heading back into the studio with Roy Hay from Culture Club, continuing the work we started together and shaping the next chapter.

I'm back in LA for some more recording and a showcase

It’s always a pleasure collaborating with Steve Duberry and Mike Burns in LA alongside Roy while Oscar Simons linked in from London and Raphael Sater from Paris. The international creative partnership is in full swing at Team Celino! We collectively spent time fine-tuning songs, exploring new ideas and really getting into that creative flow where the best music is born.  Sessions aren’t just about recording; they’re about vibing experimenting and letting the songs evolve naturally. The song is really king! 👑

One of the highlights of the trip was performing a special preview of some records I’ve been creating, hosted by the Broccoli family up in the Hollywood Hills. It was one of those magical LA evenings that felt straight out of a movie. The setting was beautiful, the food and drink were incredible, and the atmosphere was full of warmth and excitement for the music. It was overwhelming to see my music being received so well!

I'm back in LA for some more recording and a showcase

I met some truly amazing people that night, and I’m so thankful to Tony and Rika for hosting such a special preview. Moments like that remind me how powerful music can be when it brings people together in such an intimate way.

Overall, being back in LA was a fantastic trip. Time spent connecting with new people and reconnecting with friends, meeting industry professionals, sharing music, and making new memories along the way. Every experience like this becomes another part of the journey, and I’m incredibly grateful for where the music is taking me.

Back to work here in the UK now, more songs, more stories, and plenty more to come 🎤

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Recording in Roy Hay’s studio

Nick Celino is Recording in Roy Hay's studio

A few days later and I’m writing with Roy Hay and my long-term collaborator Mike Burns at Roy’s Home Studio. He introduces me to an incredible writer named Steve Duberry. Steve has worked with everyone and actually wrote for Tina Turner. (It was a bit of a WTF moment for little old me from Newcastle.) We spent days writing and creating some incredible songs! It was odd because despite being in America all my collaborators were British except Mike.  He was the only American here with a crew of Brits, haha!  By chance, one of Roy’s bandmates Boy George, another Brit, was in town. Roy, George and I went for lunch on Sunset Boulevard and instantly connected. We talked about writing together, free of ego, just music and genuine conversation.  These moments remind you you’re on the right path with the right people.

Recording in Roy Hay's studio with Culture Club's Boy George

My time in LA has been incredible. I’ve made lifelong friends out here and connected with incredibly talented people like Shawn Mendes and Timothée Chalamet while out and about.  I’ve also met many industry professionals who’ve all been incredibly supportive of my journey. A guy from a small place in the UK like me doesn’t usually experience this. Honestly, cruising Beverly Hills in Roy Hay’s Porsche with my demos blasting is a world apart from listening to them on the bus back in Newcastle upon Tyne.  It’s completely different but I rate both equally. Newcastle gave me the grit and LA’s giving me the space to make the record I should’ve made years ago. This time, it’s going to be done properly.  Debut album coming soon, baby!

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Writing my debut album…

Nick Celino back in LA - I'm writing my debut album!

After years, I’m back in Los Angeles, writing my debut album – the one I’ve been talking about of for so long. This time, it’s a soul record, not the rubbish I’ve been told I should make in the past. It’s the honest one, the Nick Celino album I’ve dreamt of all my life. No chasing trends or trying to fit a box; just proper songwriting and realness.

This isn’t my first time in LA, but it’s different. I’ve built something amazing with some serious industry people. Working with Grammy-winners doesn’t happen to a lad from Newcastle. Their ears are incredible, and they push the songs where they need to go with my direction and their guidance. I even had producers from Abbey Road Studios fly out to join me on this incredible journey. It’s crazy to think about where this all started – literally my living room.

So, we begin the process for the debut album. It’s incredible to be in a room with so many talented creatives, just throwing around ideas and seeing what works. A couple of nights later, I’m in a packed place at the iconic Roxy on Sunset Boulevard. The owner tells me to jump on the mic. The vibe was more Rap and RnB, not necessarily my style, but it was a vibe nonetheless. I gave the crowd a big vocal with no safety net.

It was incredible and the audience responded amazingly. I finished singing and to my shock I saw Leonardo DiCaprio was casually watching me, talking to my mam! My mother! What the hell? Just across from the stage like it was normal. Only in LA.