This interview with Cherie D’Avino explores the emotion behind “Christmas Lights,” touching on home, family, soulful influences, and collaboration, revealing how nostalgia and togetherness shape her cinematic holiday sound journey.
1. Cherie, “Christmas Lights” feels incredibly cinematic and emotional — can you tell us what inspired the song and what it represents for you personally?
Earlier this year, one of my goals for 2025 was to write a Christmas song. I spent time listening to emotionally charged festive releases, particularly those that had become iconic through sync moments like the John Lewis adverts. That led me to reflect on what Christmas truly means to me.
Growing up, Christmas always meant going home — either to Italy or back to the North East of England in County Durham. Home was where my family was, and the magic lived in those moments: the excitement of childhood, seeing the lights go up on the tree, the first snowflake falling, and that deep feeling of togetherness.
Now, seeing Christmas through the eyes of my two boys, aged 9 and 10, that nostalgia feels even stronger. Christmas Lights is really about finding your way home — emotionally as much as physically — and holding onto that sense of wonder and belonging.
2. You’ve described this track as a blend of soul, gospel, and pop — how did you approach balancing those genres to create that rich, heartfelt sound?
The blend came very instinctively. I never really sit down thinking in terms of genre — I always follow emotion and storytelling first.
We listened to songs that inspired the mood, including Dance With My Father by Luther Vandross and Golden Slumbers by Jennifer Hudson, which have that warmth and emotional depth that sits beautifully between soul, gospel, and pop.
The Dunwells are incredible with harmonies, and together we naturally found the balance — keeping the sound warm, honest, and heartfelt rather than over-produced.
3. The Dunwells are known for their powerful harmonies and emotional songwriting. How did the collaboration come about, and what was it like working with them in the studio?
I’d been following The Dunwells for a long time. I first met them through another singer-songwriter, Hayley McKay, who I sang backing vocals for. I went to one of their shows and was immediately drawn to their voices and songwriting.
I sent them some of my music so they could hear my sound, and we booked studio time in Leeds. When I mentioned wanting to write a Christmas song, they were immediately on board.
I came in with the bones of a poem, and within minutes we were shaping the song together. They’re warm, inspiring, and incredibly wholesome to work with — and that feeling of home they bring really fed into the heart of the song.
4. The song’s theme of “finding home” feels especially resonant around the holidays. Was there a particular memory or experience that influenced that message?
There are a few very vivid memories that shaped the song. One is my nana’s small Christmas tree in the North East, sitting in the window with snow falling outside — I can still picture it clearly.
Another is being in my nonna’s kitchen in Rome on Christmas Eve, with the whole family together, sharing food and exchanging what we call a pensiero — a thoughtful gift.
Those memories of togetherness, belonging, and remembering loved ones who are no longer with us really influenced the song. Christmas is a time when we come together, remember the people we love, and find our way home in every sense.
5. Your sound has been compared to powerhouse voices like Kelly Clarkson and Leona Lewis. Who are some of your biggest vocal or artistic inspirations, especially when it comes to festive music?
I’m honestly blown away to be compared to powerhouse voices like Kelly Clarkson and Leona Lewis — I have so much respect for them as artists.
My biggest vocal and artistic inspirations have always been Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, Stevie Wonder, and George Benson. I’m drawn to voices that carry real emotion and storytelling.
When it comes to festive music, Mariah Carey’s Christmas work is iconic — especially songs like Oh Holy Night and Silent Night. There’s such reverence, warmth, and vocal honesty in those performances, and that’s something I really aspire to bring into my own music.
6. “Christmas Lights” releases on December 5th — what do you hope listeners feel when they hear it for the first time, and how do you plan to celebrate the launch?
I hope listeners are transported back to a moment in time — remembering what Christmas felt like when it was about wonder, connection, and the people we love.
I want the song to feel like a journey, gently guiding people back to that sense of home. And when the gospel-style crescendo hits at the end, it’s that release — a moment of light, hope, and joy.
I celebrated the release in a very simple but meaningful way — with a call to The Dunwells, where we put a plan in place for 2026, which felt incredibly exciting. I also spent the day with my two boys, and my mum listening as the song was played on national radio stations, which they were so proud and excited about. That moment meant everything to me.
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