W: Rachel June
Be blown away by the incredibly talented, hardworking and inspiring artist chlothegod, the North Carolina musician who turns everything she touches into gold. She recently finished an incredible stint across her debut headline tour and has no plans to slow down. Her passion runs deep - and her voice is unforgettable. Effortlessly spanning genres, her distinct, crisp and warm vocals remain at the heart of it all. Her deep, meaningful lyrics carry both passion and promise, while her sound feels nostalgic with a pop edge reminiscent of Avril Lavigne. Yet her vocals are soul-filled and full-bodied, setting her apart.
Chlo’s influences are as diverse as her music. Inspired by soul legends like Lauryn Hill, Erykah Badu and Sade, she recalls, “Me and my mom listened to a lot of women talking about love,” while her dad “loved Indie alt, No Doubt, Fall Out Boy, Gorillaz, and Radiohead.” Her music reflects a blend of these two worlds.
Her latest project I Feel Different Everyday, highlighting the title track’s powerful music video, begins soft, then the song captures her own experiences of navigating intensity, stillness and everything in between. Lyrics are central to Chlo’s process. They are introspective and honest, which she sees as vital to making music. Songwriting, she says, saved her life and continues to help her grow. Pouring her feelings onto the page and shaping them with music is what excites her most.
Her roots are humble. Growing up in a small place meant that community was familiar and grounding. “I have a massive family. My dad was in the service and my mum worked in hospitality and food.” Music became an anchor. While her father was away serving, Chlo explains, “We didn’t watch a lot of TV.” Her mother avoided the news out of fear for her husband’s safety. Because of this, Chlo is still discovering some of the most iconic tracks with childlike wonder, and she loves it!
Throughout her life, she has often felt like the black sheep. Touring recently gave her the chance to express her truest self. “The tour was the closest I have felt to myself in a long time. It was revolutionary. The highlights were never ending. Every day was special because it was filled with first times.” Yet she admits tour life is not for the faint-hearted. For Chlo, alone time, self-care and surrounding herself with good people were essential. “Teamwork is really important, and supporting each other really changes the way I can show up for myself and for the team.”
In her personal life, Chlo admits, “I can be fierce, but it’s out of love. I’m still learning. You have to be open to learning something new.” For her, “Pursuing art is a pursuit of yourself. No one can teach you how to be yourself. Be clear and unwavering about who you are.” Speaking candidly on her journey, explored in I Feel Different Everyday, she reflects: “I accidentally fell into a pattern of escaping. I was trying to combat such a low with so much high that I was soaring at all points, and I couldn’t come back down to earth.” Recovery for Chlo meant grounding herself. “I don’t want to go through life looking at it from a bird’s-eye view. I like being on the ground, looking people in their eyes. I like being reliable, trustworthy and honest.” Her advice for those struggling is to seek community. Asking for help was a gamechanger for her. “It involves having tough conversations. But the beast is not so scary when you stop hiding.”
Her advocacy for community is unwavering. “We’re not supposed to be alone. Say what you mean, mean what you say.” Keep your eyes on chlothegod as she collaborates, releases more music and pours her heart into everything she creates.
Follow chlothegod @chlothegod