Celeste Allison “Ghostlore” EP release benefit concert for OutFront Kalamazoo

After experiencing the tragic loss of her friend and bandmate to suicide, Celeste recorded her debut EP, “Ghostlore.” 

Understanding the need for dialogue about mental health and suicide prevention, Celeste chose to use her art as a means for healing and change.

The project received grant funding from the Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo, which enabled her to record the EP and organize a benefit show to raise funds for OutFront Kalamazoo. OutFront is dedicated to supporting LGBTQIA+ individuals and serves as a resource where everyone can find mental health support and advocacy, something Celeste is very passionate about. 

The trauma that follows Celeste after losing her friend is a feeling that she knows others in the community carry, and therefore, hopes this benefit show can be a symbol of solidarity, understanding, and healing. 

Most importantly, she wants the community to know it’s ok to talk. It’s ok to feel. And that no one is alone. 

Celeste Allison is an independent artist from Kalamazoo, Michigan. Her breakthrough song, UGLY, has over 180k streams on Spotify alone. With sweet but surprising powerhouse vocals paired with sassy lyrics, listeners are left captivated and wanting more. Embracing her queer identity, she actively strives to create music that resonates with individuals and promotes a welcoming environment, particularly for the LGBTQIA+ community. She is presently immersed in the production of her inaugural EP, slated for release in 2025.

Jonah Why (she/her) is a 23-year-old singer/songwriter/producer from Kalamazoo, Michigan. Over the years, Jonah has explored multiple genres under various names in her search for authentic self-expression. In January 2023, she embraced the identity of Jonah Why, a project dedicated to being undeniably herself. Unbound by a single style or genre, Jonah channels vulnerability through the discomfort of the unknown, ensuring each piece of work stands uniquely on its own. From pop-punk to psych-rock to electro-funk, her debut album “nevertheless” is the culmination of everything she’s become.

Jey Starcross’d is a hip-hop artist and lyrical storyteller from Kalamazoo, Michigan. Focused on introspective raps, genre-homaging beats, and emotionally resonant themes, he accomplished his earliest life goal in 2024 by releasing a rap album, his debut LP, Withdrawal Symptoms. The project features collaborations with fellow rising talents and explores themes of identity, mental health, and creative struggle. With a background based in community and an eye toward the cosmos, Starcross’d crafts music that’s both grounded and expansive—bridging his local roots with a universal sound.