About Cleo
Meet Cleo Picard
Hi! I’m Cleo, a 19 year old singer/songwriter from northern Rhode Island. Let’s get to know each other :)
A Look Into Cleo's Story
My Early Days of Music
Ever since I learned to speak, music has meant everything to me. My earliest memories of life are of riding on the beach in my dad’s Jeep blasting music and singing along as loudly as I could back then. I think that’s partly because music has been in my life forever, but mostly because discovering my love for music is where my life truly began.
My First Time On Stage
On my seventh birthday, I sang “Let it Go” in the school talent show. The feeling of the stage lights on my skin and the roar of the crowd made my heart race in the best way possible. Ever since then, I haven’t been able to keep my mouth shut for more than a few minutes. My family members can all recall fondly the times I was young and would sing for them on holidays, but as I grew older, it became more clear that singing is really my passion.
My First Original Song
I wrote my first full song, “Last Waking Minute” when I was thirteen years old. I had woken up in the middle of the night from a strange dream and felt a sudden need to write. So I headed downstairs to the piano and started writing about the dream I had. My soul was set on fire; the way I could express everything through song and storytelling made me feel magical. Since then, I’ve written so many songs that I’ve lost count.
School of Rock
In August of 2020, I started taking vocal lessons at School of Rock Attleboro and quickly joined a performance group a few months later. In early 2022, I got accepted into the school's house band where I began playing out, performing gigs, and making memories to last a lifetime. I met so many of my best friends through SOR and I owe so much of myself to everyone I had the pleasure of working with during my 5 years there.
Red Herring
During high school, in addition to my time at School of Rock, I co-founded a rock cover band called Red Herring with friends I met through the program. Fronting this band gave me the opportunity to perform even more frequently and step into a leadership role on stage. Through Red Herring, I gained tons of experience not only in live performance, but also in booking shows, collaborating with other musicians, and navigating the ins and outs of the music world.
Acoustic Duo
I was also part of an acoustic duo where we played at local pubs, breweries, and different events. It was a really fun change of pace from full-band shows and pushed me to connect with audiences in a more laid-back, intimate way. Playing in a duo helped me grow as a musician, get more comfortable on stage, and learn how to adapt our set depending on the vibe of each space.
Releasing My First Single
In November, I released my pop rock single “T-Shirt Weather,” which I worked on with three of my best friends. I wrote this song about the feeling of working in music, being on stage, and how much I love it. The whole process was super collaborative and honestly just a very fun experience from start to finish. I’m really proud of how it turned out, it feels like a perfect snapshot of where I was at creatively and something that’s really true to my sound.
What's Next?
As for right now, I'm currently working on my first album with my friend and former bandmate, Luke! So far the process has been tedious but so rewarding. In addition, I'm also looking to book solo acoustic gigs in the Rhode Island and Massachusetts area. I’d love to play your event, no matter what kind. Reach out below for booking inquiries.