UK based singer-songwriter Ches Barrow reveals the lead single off of her highly anticipated debut EP, ‘Girl who ruled the world’. Produced by internationally renowned Guitarist: Bassel Hallak (Tom Jones, Love Amongst Ruins, Barry Manilow, Grace Knight, Vanessa Amorosi). And co-produced by Haydn Bendall (Kate Bush, Katie Melua, Andrea Bocelli, Van Morrison, Leona Lewis), ‘Girl who ruled the world’ is the perfect addition to Ches’s ever-growing discography, filled with atmospheric beats, lush synths, and melodic hooks juxtaposed with her captivating, and hot knife lyricism.
Tell us the story of your act
The dichotomy between the perception of surface-pretty and sophistication of intellect beneath.
What is the message behind your art?
Strength; in the feminine, the masculine; the outer mask, the inner soul.
What are some sources of inspiration for your lyrics and storytelling?
Mostly my imagination; and of course life experience. My writing is often aspirational; to give way to fantasy and lyric play. Lyrics are very often melodious in my head so I’ll often write off of word-sound.
Who is an artist that you look up to more than others today?
So many artists have had a profound impact on me but as one I look up to for being consistently purposeful in her Art and career I would say, Christina Aguilera. She embodies evolution as an artist in terms not only of her vocals but her consistency and exploration into sensuality, power, vulnerability, and fearlessness.
All-time favorite record?
Impossible question (but Eagles’ ‘Hotel California’ is right up there).
Tell us about your latest release and how it came about
There was a catalyst actually which turned out to be the inspiration for one of the songs on my upcoming EP – and with writing that song, came the realization that maybe it was no longer ‘one day I will release my music’ but rather, I was letting it go. Because in between my fashion career and launching my second company and continuing to write song after song in the background, I was avoiding truly pursuing the one thing I loved the most but was frightened to fail at. Music. I knew at that moment that even if I tried to let the music go, it wouldn’t let me go – it’s who I am. So I reached out to a studio with some of my demos and got really lucky to meet the esteemed Mazen Murad who of course needs no introduction as a Mastering Engineer but who also connected me with my producers and team. He went on the journey with me. The debut release had to be ‘Girl Who Ruled The World’. I wrote it years ago when I was way more fearless and it’s one of the boldest songs I’ve written. I wasn’t sure about recording it but my producer loved it and so I re-wrote the first verse. It embodies so much of all of these years and how my music has evolved in the background of my career.
You seem to be fusing several musical genres. What inspires your sound?
I think the way I grew up listening to and writing music has a huge impact on my sound; writing songs from such a young age and being trained first classically on the piano from the age of 5 really changed how I listened to and discovered music. My love of lyrics encourages those dynamics too. My own tastes are diverse and our house was always filled with songs by different artists across genres.
What excites you the most about what you do?
Songwriting. Creation is so vital and if we think of music as a universal language, the idea that I could make someone feel one iota of how some of the songs I love have made me feel when I needed them is the most exciting.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
I hope to have released at least 2 albums and writing songs for other artists too.
Your style is very original and elaborate. How do you take care of your aesthetics?
My background is in luxury fashion and I’ve been lucky enough to work with some of the most beautiful fashion houses globally to direct my editorial shoots – second to sound, aesthetic is how I understand the world. It’s about conveying motifs; telling a story.
What was the most daunting moment in your career so far?
Producing this EP. And I say that even over the time I came back to produce a cover shoot with Hermès after a hiatus having just lost a parent. This was way more vulnerable and gritty.
What is the best advice you’ve ever gotten?
Have a little faith (by an aforementioned parent).
Where do you think the next game-changer will be in the music industry and entertainment scene?
I hope we’ll see a return to story-telling versus just shock-factor which I think has been largely capitalized on through social media. I think someone who can be accessible to the latter whilst honoring the former might be where it’s at!
