By: Staff
Chandra's new release, “Lifted,” is already a classic hit with its uplifting and emotional performance. Right now, there's a venue filled with fans, eyes fixed on this band's delivery of such an emotional and motivational message, and I wish I was there. The musical arrangement is powerfully delivered with excellent precision. The vocals combined with this create an electric feeling. My favorite part is the slowed but soaring “ooooooh oooooh”. It drops and lifts, then drops and lifts again, creating a cliffhanger of music. I found myself wanting to lift my arms to the sky and sing along. The world has so much sadness, and having a message of us all standing hand in hand is an absolute breath of fresh air… and because of this song, we can all “feel so lifted”! Here is a dose of medicine that no doctor can prescribe. Please check out Chandra's “Lifted” today!
Here’s a Q&A with the artist Chandra and we wanted to share it with you the readers.
Please tell us a little about yourself and when you started making music.
I've been writing since I was a teenager. My first ever gig as a kid was watching R.E.M. at the Milton Keynes Bowl and after that gig my mind was blown and my world was forever changed. After that night I knew all I wanted to do was be in a band and write songs.
If you are a duo or a band, how did you form?
Forming a band is probably one of the most challenging things I've ever done. When you're really young it's easy I think because you naturally find those people... there's no huge rush and it happens very organiucally. When you're a bit older and you try to find the right group of people it's a lengthly process and sometimes an impossible one. It's like falling in love... you have to have so many things in common and you sometikmes feel like you're never going to find that spoecial person. And with a band you have to find at least 3 special people. It took me a year but I got there in the end!
Can you walk us through your songwriting process for this latest project? Where did the inspiration come from?
I find songwriting really easy... the initial spark at least. When songs come to me they come to me as a whole... the verse, the chorus, the hooks... all in one go. Then comes the time consuming part... honing and fine tuning and turning a core idea into something beautiful but succint... honest but in a musical language that's universally comprehesible. Playing it through for weeks with the band to let it breathe a little, before then sitting down with a trusted producer (essentially a 5th member of the band) who then takes it up another level. With Lifted it was the same... there was this idea that came to me at 2am one morning. I woke up, recorded it on my phone and the next morning it was obviously just going to be a summery song full of smiles and hope.
What has been the most motivating force in creating your music?
The motivating force has been time and wisdom. I was in a band before. I took time away from music to reflect and when I returned it was immediately clear what I had been doing wrong and what I should be doing. I just want to write uplifting, motivating songs that make everyone feel better about themselves. That's my motivation.
What part of the music making process is the most stressful, ie the creation, the actual release date etc?
Probably the relentlessness of being an independent artist. When you do everything yourself it means that there are no days off. Getting a single out into the world every 3-4 months... and the schdule that comes with a new song (from the core idea through to production, recording, mastering, conceptualising/planning/filming/editing the video, PR etc etc)... that means that there is no time to stop and often those schedules have to overlap in order to keep on track. It's hard... but great.
If there was one thing you could change about the music industry, what would it be?
The pigeonholing and copycating that goes on. The general public don't need labels to jump on bandwagons and release music that all sounds the same. Just find and release great music, no matter what the genre. People want to be constantly discovering great music, no matter what the genre. Labels should be doing that.
Do you play any instruments?
I play lots of instruments (guitar, piano, violin, saxophone, clarinet) but mainly I'm a songer and a frontman. I play all those instruments well enough to write with... to get demos together that are good enough to carry forwards. But really singing is the only thing I do to a studio level! I haver to leave the rest to the band and very trusted and talented producers like Aren Shawt and Elliot Vaughan.
Please tell us about the last time you performed. Where was the show, and what was your experience?
A few nights ago we played at a private music festival called JesFest. Very small but very intimate. 200 people, all there to enjoy the music... nobody on their phones... just a really intimate 45 minutes and probably the best gig we've had in a while. Those moments are very special.
Was there ever a time when you emotionally felt, “I can’t do this anymore”? Can you tell us why this happened and how you found the strength to continue?
Yeah, absolutely. The first time I was in a band I was really young and it was extremely tough because the dream consumes you and you simply can't see a future where you do anything else. But then things happen... band members start falling by the wayside because they want to settle down and get 'proper' jobs that pay a stable wage... playing London gigs ends up costing more money than you get back... and there comes a point after many years where the local fanbase, however dedicated, either wants you to get signed and pay them back for their commitment or they too start to drift. That first time round, when I eventually admitted defeat, was soul destroying and I went off the rails a bit. And that's why I had to stop music completely because even thinking about writing really upset me. But time is a good healer and eventually it felt like the right time to return.
What advice would you give your younger self and why?
Simple. Just be yourself. Don't try and write songs that follow trends. Just be honest with yourself.
What is your go-to song for Karaoke night?
Either Ganster's Paradise by Coolio or Bring Me To Life by Evanescence. I love to do songs with someone... nobody likes a singer showing off and doing solo stuff at karaoke!!! ;)
What is the most motivating thing a fan or anyone has ever told you about your music?
People quite often tell me that our songs make their day... that they listen to them in the morning and it really sets them up for the day. There is no greater compliment as far as I'm concerned because that's exactly what we're trying to achieve.
If you could go on any late-night talk show, which would it be? And based on present life, what would be the topic of discussion?
I really like what Jimmy Fallon does because he gets to know an artist and connects on a different level with the content he creates. Plus he's a Gamer so I identify with that and I think we're on a similar level to each other in many ways. I think we'd talk about our favourite games growing up, best gig memories but also just how people should really try to open up and enjoy themselves. Self confidence, prejudice, identity... many of the world's greatest issues come from bottling up feelings and the more openly we talk about this stuff the better.
When you become famous, what band or artist would you love to tour with?
So listen, I'm a rocker but my ideal touring buddy would be a pop artist. Ultimately we write pop songs that just happen to be guitar based. We have the energy of a band but the songs of a pop artist. So someone like Dua Lipa or Sabrina Carpenter... seriously! If you go to a gig you don't want it to be all same-same, right? You want something a bit different but something you can identify with.
Check out his latest release and listen to more of Chandra on Spotify.
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