Everyone feels something when they hear music.  We all have different connections, get goosebumps, and are instantly reminded of people we love.  Music Super Producer Claude Kelly takes it all in just a little bit different.  He has synesthesia.  Every since he was a child he  associates songs with colors, smells and tastes.  He wonders if being an only child, with a wild imagination, enhanced the trait.  No one else in his family seems to have it.   Other celebs noted for synesthesia include Marina & The Diamonds, Patrick Stump, Mary J. Blige, and Billy Joel.  One day Claude Kelly was tweeting about the scents he hears when he works with different vocalists and we had to find out more:
 
Julie Pilat: What are your FAVORITE smells & who's voice do they remind you of?
 
Claude Kelly:
1. smoke. (Wood burning, cigars, barbecue, marijuana, hookahs, old fashioned pipes, incense, candles.  Anything but cigarette smoke and
rubber)
2. fresh linen/laundry/cotton
3. Lemon scent or lemongrass
My 5 FAV artists all remind me of these smells in some way:    Michael  Jackson, Billy Joel, Sade, Bob Marley, Whitney Houston
 
Julie Pilat: Is it just with voices or if you hear, like a train, does that have a smell too?
 
Claude Kelly: It is really is mainly with music...voices.
 
Julie Pilat: Do you see colors too or only smell sounds?
 
Claude Kelly: I experience colors, smells, tastes too! Some voices actually remind me of other instruments or objects.  FYI my least favorite smell is gasoline. Repulsive!
Julie Pilat:  Ok - since you are behind the song "Just A Fool" what do XTina & Blake's voice make you think of?
 
Claude Kelly:  X-TINA's voice (and Mary J Blige'd too) always makes me see brass.
Trumpets, horns, etc Blake's  voice makes me see distressed worn leather.

Julie Pilat: Speed round!!
Nate Ruess from Fun?

Claude Kelly:  I see Navy blue.
 
Julie Pilat: Gwen Stefani?
Claude Kelly: I see yellow...maybe neon yellow. I taste lemon heads, sour patch kids. I love Gwen.

JP: HA!  With Gwen it's like bananas..... this Sh*% is bananas.
 
Claude Kelly:   I probably sound crazy as hell now but this is my twisted reality. :) 
 
 Julie Pilat: I love it.  Thanks for telling us your story & please come through KIIS next time you're in Cali!! 

By: @juliepilat & @Eashooo