HUNGER DISCOVERS…CHINCHILLA
Drawing influence from fellow powerful women like Beyoncé and Christina Aguilera, self-produced artist CHINCHILLA creates pop anthems that resound like a call to arms. With a soaring voice and distinctive look, she’s standing out from her contemporaries and quickly proving to be one of London’s most original emerging musicians.
For the past two weeks, we’ve been getting to know her over on our VERO account, diving into her creative inspirations as well as the mottos she lives her life by, and debuted a new live session of her tongue-in-cheek revenge single “Fingers”.
Below, read an in-depth interview where she talks supporting Sting in concert, her earliest music memory and the advice she would give to emerging musicians.
How would you describe your sound?
Like if pomegranates had no pips inside, just bite-sized chunks of juicy goodness, with a kick.
What is your earliest musical memory?
There’s a video of me somewhere wearing my pyjama top sleeves on my legs as bottoms and my pyjama bottoms legs on my arms as a top and playing the guitar stood up on its end like a double bass, singing; “Mary Poppins, why are sheep so grey?” Maybe that…
Who or what inspires you musically?
I’ve always loved strong solo females like Beyonce, Janis Joplin, Aretha Franklin, Tracy Chapman, Amy Winehouse and Christina Aguilera. I naturally gravitated towards them always. I love a powerful woman. I think that comes across in my music, whether it be in lyrics and production or my voice and performance. From films, I love honesty, authenticity and frankness in scripts and in lyricism. The specificity in certain lyrics or scripts is always the thing which attaches me to a piece of art.
What’s your advice to other emerging musicians?
That it isn’t impossible. It’s just a job and can be done: keep working hard and if you put in the time something’s gotta happen.
Are there any pieces of advice that have changed your life?
“The world doesn’t owe you anything.” This sounds bleak but I find it very humbling. It keeps my feet on the ground, stops me from whining and reminds me that if I want it, I’ve got to work hard for it and it’s that simple. I guess it takes the taking-it-personally out of failure. Unfortunately, the world doesn’t owe you a successful career because you’ve always been kind in life, so be content with it or go make it happen, c’est la vie. Also; “Nothing’s set in stone.” It’s a good one for the indecisive, commitment-phobe in me, it helps me know that it’s always possible change your mind. Well, unless you do something that really is irreversible, like cut someone’s fingers off…
What needs to be done to support the UK music industry?
More support and bigger opportunities for new artists. Some risk-taking would be a breath of fresh air.
Tell us your career goals?
It’s difficult to make career goals because the further I get, the more I realise how random it all is. I reckon my next goal is to play an arena in London, I haven’t done that yet and I can’t wait. Longterm goals…I’ll keep those cards close to my chest for now!
What’s one thing you want the world to know about you?
That I make a mean vegan spag bol.
Do you have any hidden talents?
I used to ice skate and I was actually really good, I’ve been thinking about getting back into it recently.
Tell us your dream collaboration?
Mark Ronson, always has been! I just think he’s amazing and would love to be in the studio with him.
What are you proudest of in your career so far?
Supporting Sting: that was monumental for me. Those nerves can be isolating because no one around you is feeling as nervous as you in that moment, so overcoming them and playing shows to 20,000 a night was an incredible goalpost.
What’s next for you?
Keep your eyes peeled for a big project coming late July, probably my proudest work to date.
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