Malaysian-born and UK-based artist Chloe Qisha may be relatively new to the scene, but her wonderfully sophisticated songs belie her seeming inexperience. Perhaps it's because she’s been a self-taught multi-instrumentalist since a tender age. Or perhaps it's because she studied psychology at Undergraduate level, and communications at Masters level prior to getting into the music industry. 

Whatever the case may be, Chloe’s fledgling releases have been nothing short of masterful. Both resonant and relatable - but incredibly different in style and tone. Contrast the intimate balladry of her debut single ‘VCR Home Video’ with the artful friskiness of her follow-up ‘I Lied, I’m Sorry’ and you’ll quickly realise that she’s a songwriter that’s as talented as she is versatile.

We talked to the emerging alternative pop songstress to find out more about how she got into music, her creative inspirations, and what’s next.

Hi Chloe! We understand that you were born in Malaysia. Did you grow up there? And if so, what are your memories of your home country?

I was born and raised in KL! I have a few distinct memories that my mind immediately goes to when I think of home - like long drives up to Penang to see my extended family during Chinese New Year, or spending all day at the mall with my friends and chatting about Twilight - or boys - (laughs).  

When and why did you move to the UK?

I moved in 2014 for sixth form! I think I was ready for a change, and even though I loved my life in Malaysia, it seemed like an exciting prospect to finish my A-Levels in the UK. 

How did you first get into music? Tell us a bit about your backstory…

I definitely sang here and there when I was younger, but not a whole bunch as I was quite a shy child growing up. I taught myself guitar when I was 16 in my bedroom, and started posting covers on SoundCloud and eventually YouTube. But I didn't think much of it as a career… I didn’t even know it was an option! 

Then, in my third year of Uni, I was randomly contacted by an A&R at a label, as they had seen one of my covers; and they sort of set me on my path of meeting people, and doing sessions, and learning how to write songs! So I sort of “fell into it” in a way, I didn’t plan it - I was just incredibly lucky and met the right people at the right time; worked my butt off, and also wrote some great music along the way!  

We’ve read that you’re a self-taught multi-instrumentalist. What instruments do you play, and how does that inform your songwriting?

I play guitar and piano. I taught myself both just through reading tabs and learning basic chords when I was around 16 - and to be honest that hasn’t really changed! It definitely helped a lot in the early days of songwriting, as they were the only instruments I had at my disposal, and I couldn’t produce. And now it’s more useful when I need to prepare for a session, like coming up with little ideas or hooks to bring in on the day. I think it’s an invaluable skill for an artist, no matter how much or little you play -  I only hope to get better at them! 

 

 

 

 

 

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Your debut track ‘VCR Home Video’ feels very personal. What was it inspired by?

It was inspired by my relationship with my parents, and the growing pains I felt as our dynamic changed over the years. It’s about that “coming of age” point in your life when you realise your parents are just people too, who are just as complex, and who love deeply and feel the same pain that you do. And I think that feeling is pretty universally felt. It was definitely a difficult song to write, but I’m so glad that it’s in the world. 

The song also comes with a fantastic music video. How did you and director Ling Yu Yan come up with the concept?

I knew I wanted to be performing the song in the video, and I knew I wanted some kind of “karaoke” element in it. So when we pitched the idea to Ling, she really embraced that initial concept and brought such a great energy to the project. She has such incredible taste and instinctively knew where it should be, and what the shots would entail. As soon as I spoke to her, I felt super safe and knew that the song was in brilliant hands, I couldn’t have asked for a better video debut. 

You seem too young to have used a VCR. Have you ever used a VCR?

(Laughs) I most definitely have! We used to have a whole shelf filled with VCR tapes of kids shows that I used to watch. Like Bananas in Pajamas or Pingu! I’m no spring chicken. 

You’ve just put out your new single ‘I Lied, I’m Sorry’ which is quite different tonally from your debut. Was it important for you to demonstrate your versatility early on?

Yes! We knew we wanted to open with a slower ballad for a debut, ‘VCR’ is a beautiful song and I think it was the perfect introduction to this project. ‘I Lied’ was actually written a week after we finished ‘VCR’ - and the sonics just naturally came about when my friend Rob (Milton) and I were talking about what we had been listening to at the time. 

So after we wrote it, I realised it was exactly the kind of music I wanted to be writing - slightly weird and fun, but super addictive as a pop song. The songs that are going to be released in the future now all fall in line with the world of ‘I Lied, I’m Sorry.’ But ‘VCR’ in its intimacy and lyricism is the foundation to that world. 

What was the creative process behind ‘I Lied, I’m Sorry’?

I remember I had just finished watching this Apple TV show called The Buccaneers and I just kept replaying the intro credits which was a cover of ‘North American Scum’ by LCD Soundsystem. I had a session the next day with Rob (my collaborator) and mentioned it to him - and we ended up in a rabbit hole, listening to Sound of Silver and revelling in its production. We then started messing around with production bits and landed on a great groove, and I think we wrote the chorus on the piano and immediately knew we had something worth exploring! 

What’s the biggest lie you ever told that you’re sorry (or perhaps not sorry) for?

(Laughs) Oh gosh… I can’t even think of any specific ones, but I definitely tell little white lies all the time - like when I’m meeting my friends and I text them that I’m 5 minutes away when really I haven’t even left the house yet.. and no, I’m not sorry (sorry!).

Finally, what’s next for you? Is there an EP or album incoming?

There is indeed an EP coming! And a few more babies (songs) to be released into the world. I am so excited for everyone to start dancing to them and singing their hearts out! So stay tuned!