LA-based artist CHILLEMI’s Dark sonic landscapes filled with heartache, longing and love is only one way to describe his debut LP With Woman. Recorded in producer Kyle Avallone’s bedroom and Brian Chillemi’s apartment in Brooklyn, this home recording takes us on a journey full of stark imagery, sensual experiences and down right intimate vibes.
With the mysterious and entrancing new track and music video for “Neon Bride” shot on-site in Las Vegas, CHILLEMI tells the tale of innocence and the dangers of flirting with wealth and influence.
Directed by award-winning experimental filmmaker Ryan Rosewall and starring Giselle DaMier, best known for her recurring roll of Sandie in the 2017 series of Twin Peaks.
“This album came out of a bad band breakup and my inner drive to push forward. I reached out to my friend Kyle Avallone who produces his own music and knows the song writing craft. He lent his ear, patience and musical abilities to the record in a way that I have not experienced before playing in bands.
We recorded the album over 8 months or so in our apartments in Brooklyn. We did two songs at a time, as I wrote them, so we could really focus on making sure each song was fully realized. Without the restraints of having to record live drums the other instruments needed to create the dynamics, which I think really set the tone of the record.”
One part Alan Vega and one part Lee Hazlewood, “With Woman” drum machine drive pulses while guitars swirl and organs pump. In a cool, collected voice the tales unravel to a hypnotic effect and one can’t help but be drawn in. Beautiful, yet stark arrangements are the mark of “With Woman” which feels calm, collected and yet raw and unhinged at the same time.
His music is influenced by an enormous array of people. However, “growing up in the 90’s, Kurt Cobain and the ethos of Nirvana really permeated culture in a way that is the foundation of how I look at music.
I see it as a form of freedom and open expression from a personal point of view. But I also really love the showmanship of people like Johnny Thunders, Jerry Lee Lewis and Iggy Pop.”
“I love the cowboy flash of old country stars, the baritone cool of Lee Hazlewood and the ease of JJ Cale’s delivery. We live in a time though where style is a mash-up of things from the past and the future, which I think is really cool. He adds
“Hip hop today is pushing the boundaries of new sounds and styles that is exciting to me. It’s inspiring to see hip hop artists embrace country styles and vice versa in an organic way. The borders and red tape are down in culture – if it makes you feel good put it on and turn it up!”
