A Q&A with Chloe Chadwick

Cheshire singer-songwriter Chloe Chadwick on ‘Devil’s Game’, inspirations and dreaming of America…

How did you get the title of your latest single, and what does it mean to you?
The story is all about the title with this new single. ‘Devil’s Game’ is based on a true story about hard times, suicide and a gambling addiction. Although the story isn’t about me, I am still passionate about this song as gambling and addiction have affected friends and family of mine over the years.

What was the hardest part about putting this release together, and why?
Most definitely the writing and recording the vocals part. It’s a really sad story and very poignant and with it being based around a true story of someone, you want to do the song justice in every way. So it’s kinda added pressure to really draw the emotion out to the lyrics and the song so the listeners can really grasp the story behind the song.

Who produced the release, and how would you say they helped shape it?
My good friends at Animal Farm Music recorded it and produced the song. They certainly did help to shape it by doing as little as possible, which is what really worked. They let me loose on it which doesn’t generally happen in the studio. I was overthinking the song a little too much when I recorded previous demos, so it was nice to take it back to basics and how my first ever demo was, and funnily enough, it worked!

What do you want the listener to take away from hearing your music?
I want the listener to take away the story behind my songs. Being a songwriter as well as a singer, I’ve been writing since I was just 10 years old and so my songwriting is just as important as the melody, or guitar lick. I want people to listen to my music, and to take what they want from it, but to also see the person behind it all!

How does a track normally come together? Can you tell us a bit about that process?
To be honest there isn’t a set way like some artists have. Sometimes I will wake up in the middle of the night with an idea, whether lyrically or melodically. That’s what phones are good for, I just record me humming the track or speaking the lyrics, and then the idea more often than not gives me inspiration to want to finish it as a full song. Sometimes this can take five minutes, other times it can take 12 months to finish. I generally record an acoustic version first or a demo in my home studio and then build the song from this. Voila!

How would you say that the sound of your band has changed over the last year?
I would say my sound has changed over the last year, but I would say it has changed over the past 10 years. Inspirations change, music genres change, songwriting changes and whether you like it or not, you kinda have to change and grow with it. I don’t get as much inspiration from today’s music, to be honest. I think that’s because music has become so watered down, anyone can upload a song onto iTunes and Spotify now, so you’re now in a pool of billions of people wanting an audience for their music, whether it’s good or not. So I think the best of today’s music does seem to get lost in all the rubble. It maybe harsh to say, but it’s true. Years ago the best of the best were in the charts or doing well and touring, it’s not like that anymore. There are positives and negatives to take from the new music industry.

What bands/artists have influenced you the most since you started your own band/project, and why?
The Beatles have always influenced me since I was young. They wrote some of the best popular music ever, and it was just great music, great chord progressions and great story telling! But I was also a big fan of British band music growing up, like Oasis, Stereophonics, Blur, Muse. I have a really dynamic taste in music though, I can listen to Metallica one minute and then Kacey Musgraves the next! I love music in lots of forms, and I like to think I gain inspiration from all of them. I certainly don’t like to categorise my music into one genre.

When the world is back to normal, where would you really like to tour, and why?
I would love to tour in the US. It’s so far away, but its always been on my bucket list. I think my music hasn’t really been majorly exposed in the US and people can really relate to that Americana vibe over there, more so than the UK. I’m sure one day I shall have my chance once everything is back to normal!

If you could only pick one track for our reader to listen to, to get a taster of your music, which one would you go far, and why?
My new single ‘Devils Game’ – it’s present, it’s poignant, it tells a great story and it’s where I’m heading!

Where do you see your band in five years’ time?
Hopefully performing more shows across England and further afield. Glastonbury wouldn’t be a bad shout though!

The new single from Chloe Chadwick, ‘Devil’s Game’ is out now.
For more info visit: chloechadwick.com