Farran performs 31-track Celtic album at Whidbey fundraiser
Local musician Celia Farran will sing and emcee at the Creepy Cabaret on Oct. 31, with proceeds supporting future LittleBIGFest concerts.
By Amelia Gupta ·
Celia Farran will perform original Celtic music and serve as emcee at the Creepy Cabaret on Oct. 31. The event runs from 6 to 10 p.m. at Royal Alvin Hall in Freeland. All proceeds will fund future concerts hosted by LittleBIGFest.
Farran, a Whidbey Island resident, is releasing a compilation album titled “Samhain/Halloween” in connection with the performance. The project consists of 31 tracks, one for each day of October. She compiled the album in 2024 using existing songs and new recordings that explore themes of witches, ravens, and the moon.
Her path to solo music began in Wisconsin. At age 5, she watched her brothers play guitar and banjo at a local 4-H event. The performance created a physical sensation of goosebumps that defined her career goals. She later earned a degree in theater performance from the University of Michigan.
After moving to New York, Farran shifted from acting to songwriting. She wanted to create original art rather than interpret other people's work. She learned guitar and began using a looper to layer audio tracks during live shows. This tool allows her to perform duets and ensembles alone on stage.
Farran moved to Whidbey Island in 2022. She cites the island as a place to regroup before touring. Her musical style blends Irish folk traditions with comedic character songs. One recurring character is a pink fairy who has run for president twice.
She described the autumn season as a period for letting go and creating in the dark. That sentiment drives the themes of her new album. Farran plans to release two tours in the near future. One will focus on socially conscious music and include vocal workshops where she records audience voices for her song “Calling All Voices.”
Her second tour will take her to New Zealand with touring partner Melissa Cox. The pair, members of the duo Mystic Muses, will host online concerts on Zoom starting Nov. 1 to raise funds for that trip. Farran will also begin hosting vocal empowerment workshops online in the coming weeks.
Farran identifies as an artist who writes about a wide range of topics. She does not strictly subscribe to the label of pagan musician, though her Irish background influences her work. She views art as the heart and soul of humanity and relies on the supportive Whidbey community to sustain her creative practice.
