Unsigned Universe- CeladonCandy Interview, Katherine Fulton

Celadon Candy
released their
first EP, cc:, in
October 2010.
The result was a
sound that com-
bines dance-
able beats,
catchy pop
melodies and a
touch of indus-
trial sensibility.
People may
hear traces of
Skinny Puppy,
Depeche Mode
and Soft Cell; it
has the air of
something from
London or New
York, rather
than what
would be ex-
pected from a
city in North
Carolina.

Neither member of Celadon
Candy is originally from Durham,
but they do have roots in music. All-
good grew up listening to British
pop music, which left an indelible
impression. "Growing up, U.K. pop
was a strong influence on me," he
says. "I'll say it wasn't one particular
artist, but that entire class of British
new wave and dance music."

"Music is something I have been
deeply passionate about all of my
life," he continues. "I liked synth-pop
because creatively it allows for a
more intimate atmosphere. If you
consider the two-member groups
Soft Cell or Naked Eyes, for in-
stance, they really had to trust each
other to create something. There is
nowhere to hide. In big giant bands
people tend to take refuge in gaudy
instrumentation."

Flashy, dense music wasn't an
issue with Wedlock, Allgood's previ-
ous group. However, band chem-
istry was. "Jay and I had known
each other since 2008 while in
Wedlock, and there were some
band-chemistry issues, but not be-
tween him and me," he says. We
recorded the album Continuity in
2009. Flash forward to 2010 for
our final-released EP, Witnesses,
and I wasn't happy with our direc-
tion. That line up had run its course."

Wedlock eventually went on hia-
tus in 2010 due to the creative dif-
ferences that plagued it, but not

before Bowden remixed "Still Unsat-
isfied," and "Reverend Charisma,"
two of the band's singles from their
2008-album Exogamy. Allgood
was impressed, and he realized
that his former bandmate could
help him find the sound he was
looking for. "They were brilliant
remixes," he says. "I wanted to get
back with Jay because he's got
loads of talent, and I feel he under-
stands where I am coming from mu-
sically." The duo clicked, and
Celadon Candy was born.

With only two people in the
group, Allgood and Bowden found
themselves sharing duties when it
came to instruments, production
and programming. Despite the
extra work — or perhaps because of
it — the duo found themselves
achieving the musical synergy they
had lacked in Wedlock, which al-
lowed them to experiment with a
darker, slightly harder edge to their
music. When Celadon Candy re-
leased their first EP, cc:, in October
2010. The result was a sound that
combines danceable beats, catchy
pop melodies and a touch of indus-
trial sensibility. People may hear
traces of Skinny Puppy, Depeche
Mode and Soft Cell; it has the air
of something from London or New
York, rather than what would be ex-
pected from a city in North Car-
olina. This sound attracted listeners,
who soon became fans. These fans
would later nominate Celadon

Candy for a Pride in the Arts Award
for Favorite Group in 2010.

"Pride In The Arts is an organiza-
tion that celebrates artistic achieve-
ment in the gay, lesbian, and
transgender, and intergender com-
munities. It's run by Len Rogers
based in Roanoke, Virginia," says
Allgood. "The nominations came
about courtesy of a kind and loving
fan base."

Celadon Candy's 2011 schedule
is a busy one, and it may see them
achieve even wider success. The
duo is scheduled to tape a segment
for a television show in New York
City, and they will be releasing more
music in the spring. They also plan
to make promotional videos, play
more shows and, with any luck, re-
lease a full-length album. They're
hoping their efforts will help them
reach out to a wider audience that
will enjoy their work both for its
music and its message.

"Shared human experiences. Con-
nectedness," explains Allgood. "For
the people who like the music, I al-
ways want them to feel like I am
speaking to them, and even if I am
singing about something more ab-
stract, there's hopefully still a bond.
We're just open to whatever is com-
ing next."

For more information on
Celadon Candy, visit the
band's official website at