COUCOU CHLOE
May 14th 2024
Words Samutaro | Concept & Image Noah Riecansky
Making music is like writing a personal diary: An Interview with COUCOU CHLOE
French-born, London-based artist and producer COUCOU CHLOE has been exploding across the underground club scene. But while her high-energy tracks are ruling dancefloors, she has an ambivalent relationship with nightlife. Her 2022 project, Fever Dream, demonstrates how she has moved even further away from it by allowing herself to be inspired by the chaotic mix of life and time spent isolated at home and in the studio. This intimate setting, away from the distractions of London nightlife, has provided the perfect conditions for her experiment and growth as an artist. As COUCOU CHLOE enters this new era, we speak with her about her experiences in London, her love for video games and why making music is like writing a personal diary.
For anyone new to Coucou Chloe, could you describe yourself as an artist?
Honestly, it is not a question I would ask myself. It is more interesting to see how others describe me. I don’t like it when things are over-explained because I will always express what I want. I see my music as a diary where people can take whatever they want. I don’t feel the need to over-explain everything. I'm not trying to justify myself to people. Music is just a tool I use to express myself. I don’t want to tell you how to feel when you listen to my music. It doesn’t make sense. And you’re never going to feel it the way I express it because of your perception and your feelings are different from mine
A lot of your music has a strong club sound. But I’ve read you are not a big clubber yourself. If you aren’t explicitly thinking about the dancefloor when you’re producing, what experiences do you draw from when you make these high-energy tracks?
Ultimately I am inspired by the daily experiences around me. Sonically, I like to go on YouTube and explore different sound effects for drops as I want to bring a bit of life to my music. I find it more interesting to use these effects rather than simply finding digital sounds from a synthesiser or whatever. Of course, there is a dance feeling to my music, but it is not something that I like to identify with as I don’t know too much about club music. I also think something is interesting about the concept of dance music being played out in the club and questioning the message being put into those types of dance beats. I talk about things you wouldn’t typically hear on those records and question the listener's reception.
Has relocating to London informed your sound?
I only really started making music when I moved to London. Being in a studio like this and talking to people like yourself is not really something I could have done where I am from in the South of France. What I liked about London when I first arrived is how all the creative people here blended. I found it interesting. The community supported me and helped me to develop myself. It was easy for me to be a part of the scene in London.
Are there certain people in London that helped shape your career at this early stage in your career?
I was making music with Shygirl and Sega Bodega early on. I then met other cool people like Kelvin Krash. But what I really love about London is that it is a place where many artists from around the world come in and out. It’s perfect
How do you feel the mindset of your generation differs from older generations when it comes to making music?
People often say “I dont know how to make music,” but for me it's not about the technique. If you can make a sound then you are already expressing a thought. You’ve already got it, you dont need to make it over-complicated. Just let things grow naturally. You don’t need a lot of things around you to make it happen. You’ve got it in you so just find ways to express it. Trust what you are feeling and then try to develop that.
Where do you go to find creative inspiration?
I like to go to the science museum. But honestly, I just love to play video games, read at home and watch documentaries about space. I don’t really go out too much as I am always travelling and I like to have alone time and feed my brain.
What games do you like to play?
I play old games like Jersey Devil on PS1. I also play Undertale on my Nintendo Switch. The soundtrack is absolutely beautiful. Final Fantasy is another game with an amazing soundtrack. I listen to a lot of Animal Crossing soundtracks too. Somehow it inspires me. It’s the same with Spongebob.
I saw you are playing Genesis party next month with Mowalola, Yung Sherman and Damon Rush. What can people expect from your performance?
When I perform, I want the crowd to feel special, free, to connect. I want them to find a home for their feelings in my music. I want them to feel like they belong. I want to bring some visuals into my live performances but I also don’t like to overcomplicate it. I like it when it's dark with just a strobe. So you can hardly make out what you are seeing. It's just flashing and immersive. But yeah, just expect a good time
What’s your crossover with the fashion industry?
I don’t see myself as being part of the fashion industry. I’ve done some modelling and provided music for shows. It's super fun and I love playing with clothes as it's like a sculptural extension of yourself. But I dont find too much satisfaction in it. I would prefer to work in a way that represents me as an artist. I would love to score a bespoke soundtrack for a show. That’s what I would like to do next
Your 2022 album Fever Dream demonstrated your desire to explore different sounds as well as using your voice. What was happening in your life going into that project?
The more I make music and the more I'm able to express myself the more confident I feel and upfront. Whatever I make in my head or in the studio, I'm not going to question it. Right now I'm doing a trip-hop song, but I might want to make something more acoustic or club-led. It's about how I feel and I'm just going to do it. Personally, this is my way of seeing things. I find it a bit of a shame when an artist creates a new alias when they want to make a new sound. I understand why they do it and it is a choice of theirs. But for me, it's not something that I would want to do because it would just make me put even more barriers within my creation. I don’t want to put myself in a box. I just want to explore everything I have got to say.
What can we expect from the next era of Coucou Chloe?
A lot of different music…
Is that what you are working on right now in the Virus Studios?
Yes
What is your relationship with the Virus team?
I found out about them through Kelvin Krash and Tom, who invited me to come for a studio session. The equipment they have here is amazing. I have built a close relationship with them. And its not just about making music either. Its just cool to have a space where you can do a lot of different things. I find it really inspiring to be with creatives and it feels stimulating and inspiring to be here.
Who are the artists you are looking forward to collaborating with in the future?
I'm working with Evil Giane. And I was speaking with F1lthy about doing something together
That must be the great thing about working in this space. You never know who is going to be passing through.
Exactly. Sometimes I will be working in the studio and I will go to the bathroom and I’ll see someone I know. I’m like “fuck I didn’t even know you were here?!” Then I will be like what are you working on so I will end up sitting in the room with them. And then I will show them what I am working on and we might end up booking a session together to work on something. This is exactly what happened with Felix Lee. I find that really cool about the space. I usually work on things solo, very isolated and I usually dont reach out to people. So these types of collaborations happen very organically when I'm working here. In my opinion, thats way better than texting and asking “Let’s go to the studio.”
What are you working on right now?
I'm currently working on a US tour. I love it there. But next year I want to focus on my music more. I have already done two tours in Europe last year and one in Asia. So when I go to the US I want to stay a little longer after the tour and make some music
