The Artist Explains: Chloe Foy - ‘Where Shall We Begin’
The magical Chloe Foy is due to release her debut album ‘Where Shall We Begin’ - which is out the 11th June 2021. Having just shared the title track from the album, she took a moment to discuss with us the meaning behind it and what we can expect from the album.
Hey Chloe - how are you? So your track ‘Where Shall We Begin’ - can you tell us what it is about?
Hi - I'm okay thank you, starting to see some light at the end of the tunnel!Where Shall We Begin is about coming to terms with life as it is and all it's light and shade. Feeling like you're not in control of which way it's going to turn next, but ultimately coming to terms with it through the beautiful relationships we can cultivate with those around us.
Where was it recorded? Any behind the scenes stories from the creative process?
It was recorded at Pinhole Sound Studios in Manchester and co-produced with Harry Fausing Smith. We really enjoyed indulging in a more dream-like expansive soundscape for this to reflect the existential lyrics and the haziness of the song. There's quite a classical touch on it too, in terms of the harmony employed.
How is the album coming along? When can we get to hear it?
The album is done and has been for a while now! But due to various reasons (the big one being COVID) I've taken a little longer to put it out. It'll be yours on 11th June.
What are the key themes on the album?
It moves through various existential crises, trying to make sense of this life that we lead, as well as touching on grief, mental health and the all too familiar theme of love.
You lost your father to depression do you feel experiencing that shaped you and your music in any way?
I think anyone who experiences something like that will be shaped by it, especially if it happens to you at such a young age, as was the case with me. My dad passed on his passion for music to me so I probably wouldn't be pursuing this path were it not for him. When he died my songwriting became a channel for processing my grief and emotions and it still is very much my outlet for similar feelings, even now. Maybe that's why a lot of my music has a melancholic edge...
Over the past ten years you have toured tirelessly has the global pandemic given you a moment to kind of ‘step back and slow down’?
It definitely gave me that for a moment. For a long time I was balancing different jobs with my music and fitting it around touring and I think maybe I was a bit burnt out, so the chance to rest and reflect was needed. I'm not sure it's that easy to achieve total rest in an apocalyptic situation though! I'm ready to play for real people again now though - music making isn't the same without an audience in a room.