Songwriter, singer, and mentor are just a few of the many words we can use to describe the beautiful artist Chell. She tells me that honesty is what pushes her career forward and you can hear that in her music. I was honored enough to chat with her about her singing career.
When did you start singing and why?
I started singing at the age of 2. The Bodyguard was my absolute favorite movie. The moment I heard "Yes, Jesus Loves Me", I was completely sold. I sang it every day. Every single chance I got. Whitney Houston was definitely the inspiration behind it all.
Making the move from Detroit to Atlanta what differences do you see in the music scene?
Well, the Detroit scene is TOUGH. It definitely prepared me for Atlanta. In Detroit, you're bound to hear originals. So many local favorites, and we all know their songs. I had to adjust quickly to singing covers....doing cover gigs....background gigs and trying my hand at Top 40 which was totally different for me. I will say that Atlanta has more weekly gigs. There's ALWAYS something going on. At least 6 times a week.
What can your fans/listeners expect from your music?
Honesty! I've been pulling a Taylor Swift. I'm writing and releasing everything into my music. Heartbreak, self-inflicted hurt and pain, disappointments, friendships growing apart, finding love again....just everything we go through in life but don't want to put out there. I think it's very easy for us to write about the bad people do to us, but not very often do we accept responsibility for our part in the story. So I'm telling the whole story. Good, bad, ugly.
What are some inspirations that help you create your music?
Honestly, LIFE. Life and red wine:) Jazz instrumentals put me in a creative mood. Also, being around other creative minds.
Tell the readers about your project "UnCHELLtered"?
UnCHELLtered is actually a brand. I'll be releasing my first solo EP under that name as an introduction. I've done features for so long, a lot of people didn't even know that I have solo material. So this project will be songs that I have been sitting on. Most songs were written years ago. I've just been re-arranging and recording all over again. It's a great feeling though because the songs still are relevant. UnCHELLtered is all about being free, raw...completely you. "Everything that I write is real. I write my life. I am my music. I am UnCHELLtered"
What do you love most about being an entertainer?
I love seeing people happy! It's such an amazing feeling to hear that your performance has touched someone. That your voice or lyrics inspire. To know that someone may have been down but now they're having a great time in the crowd. To be able to evoke emotion from people. That has to be the best for me. Doesn't matter if it's 5 or 5,000...it's not the numbers in the audience...it's knowing that one person may leave different.
Being a female in the industry what is the biggest struggle that you have dealing with producers,artist, and other aspects of the game?
OMG, being taken seriously. It's almost as if you know NOTHING. Even if you have a grand idea, you can be overlooked for a basic one just because you're stating it in a skirt and stilettos. I have worked behind the scenes a couple of years. So I know a little bit more about the business than some. Women are rarely taken seriously. Most that are have to be a bitch to get respect. So I'm trying to find that balance between being my nice self but also being 0 tolerance.
Where do you see your career in 5 years?
I see loads of writing in the next 5 years. Writing for other artists, scoring for film and television, independent releases and hopefully production. I study everything before I dive in, so lately, it's been about being a student but it's go time. By 30, I'll definitely be a force to be reckoned with in the industry...doing the hard work so that other young ladies won't have to endure some of the things I have and will.
What's one thing that your fans do not know about you? Weird or not!
I hate recording my own songs. LOL my studio process is so frustrating. Easy breezy for features but I'm sure all of my engineers will agree that I turn crazy when it's time to do my own music. It's like I panic when I can't get the sound I was aiming for in my head. Kinda weird lol.
What artist(s) would you like to work with in the future? Why?
Robert Glasper! It would sooooo be a dream for him to produce one of my records. *Fingers crossed* He totally gets my vibe. R&B heavily jazz influenced. Plus, he's just amazing. Can I do two?? Jamie Foxx *faints before I even can explain* :)
What's next for you? Projects? Shows?
Next up, releasing more songs in the next months....an EP before summer's end. An official single this year. Really focusing on material versus shows. The shows will be me performing original music though, under the UnCHELLtered concert series (started in 2011).
To listen to her music please and stayed updated on her work please check out the information below.
Music!!!!!!
www.soundcloud.com/unchelltered/waitin
Fb
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Chell/303636606357786?ref=hl
Twitter/IG
@chell_is_skyy
When did you start singing and why?
I started singing at the age of 2. The Bodyguard was my absolute favorite movie. The moment I heard "Yes, Jesus Loves Me", I was completely sold. I sang it every day. Every single chance I got. Whitney Houston was definitely the inspiration behind it all.
Making the move from Detroit to Atlanta what differences do you see in the music scene?
Well, the Detroit scene is TOUGH. It definitely prepared me for Atlanta. In Detroit, you're bound to hear originals. So many local favorites, and we all know their songs. I had to adjust quickly to singing covers....doing cover gigs....background gigs and trying my hand at Top 40 which was totally different for me. I will say that Atlanta has more weekly gigs. There's ALWAYS something going on. At least 6 times a week.
What can your fans/listeners expect from your music?
Honesty! I've been pulling a Taylor Swift. I'm writing and releasing everything into my music. Heartbreak, self-inflicted hurt and pain, disappointments, friendships growing apart, finding love again....just everything we go through in life but don't want to put out there. I think it's very easy for us to write about the bad people do to us, but not very often do we accept responsibility for our part in the story. So I'm telling the whole story. Good, bad, ugly.
What are some inspirations that help you create your music?
Honestly, LIFE. Life and red wine:) Jazz instrumentals put me in a creative mood. Also, being around other creative minds.
Tell the readers about your project "UnCHELLtered"?
UnCHELLtered is actually a brand. I'll be releasing my first solo EP under that name as an introduction. I've done features for so long, a lot of people didn't even know that I have solo material. So this project will be songs that I have been sitting on. Most songs were written years ago. I've just been re-arranging and recording all over again. It's a great feeling though because the songs still are relevant. UnCHELLtered is all about being free, raw...completely you. "Everything that I write is real. I write my life. I am my music. I am UnCHELLtered"
What do you love most about being an entertainer?
I love seeing people happy! It's such an amazing feeling to hear that your performance has touched someone. That your voice or lyrics inspire. To know that someone may have been down but now they're having a great time in the crowd. To be able to evoke emotion from people. That has to be the best for me. Doesn't matter if it's 5 or 5,000...it's not the numbers in the audience...it's knowing that one person may leave different.
Being a female in the industry what is the biggest struggle that you have dealing with producers,artist, and other aspects of the game?
OMG, being taken seriously. It's almost as if you know NOTHING. Even if you have a grand idea, you can be overlooked for a basic one just because you're stating it in a skirt and stilettos. I have worked behind the scenes a couple of years. So I know a little bit more about the business than some. Women are rarely taken seriously. Most that are have to be a bitch to get respect. So I'm trying to find that balance between being my nice self but also being 0 tolerance.
Where do you see your career in 5 years?
I see loads of writing in the next 5 years. Writing for other artists, scoring for film and television, independent releases and hopefully production. I study everything before I dive in, so lately, it's been about being a student but it's go time. By 30, I'll definitely be a force to be reckoned with in the industry...doing the hard work so that other young ladies won't have to endure some of the things I have and will.
What's one thing that your fans do not know about you? Weird or not!
I hate recording my own songs. LOL my studio process is so frustrating. Easy breezy for features but I'm sure all of my engineers will agree that I turn crazy when it's time to do my own music. It's like I panic when I can't get the sound I was aiming for in my head. Kinda weird lol.
What artist(s) would you like to work with in the future? Why?
Robert Glasper! It would sooooo be a dream for him to produce one of my records. *Fingers crossed* He totally gets my vibe. R&B heavily jazz influenced. Plus, he's just amazing. Can I do two?? Jamie Foxx *faints before I even can explain* :)
What's next for you? Projects? Shows?
Next up, releasing more songs in the next months....an EP before summer's end. An official single this year. Really focusing on material versus shows. The shows will be me performing original music though, under the UnCHELLtered concert series (started in 2011).
To listen to her music please and stayed updated on her work please check out the information below.
Music!!!!!!
www.soundcloud.com/unchelltered/waitin
Fb
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Chell/303636606357786?ref=hl
Twitter/IG
@chell_is_skyy