Chanel Samson is a Californian girl who is currently in England studying music at at Paul McCartney’s Performing Arts School, LIPA. Her time in England has being the main inspiration behind this her latest EP. Tomatrax caught up with Chanel to talk about her music.
What inspired you to become a musician?
Nothing inspired me, it just happened. I saw a piano and it made noise and the keys were a puzzle I wanted to piece together. I sang more than I talked, which annoyed some people, and the only way to get happy again after an angsty day was to write a song. Pure survival.
Where did you get the idea to mix in a circus with your live show?
Well I’ve always wanted to run away with the Circus, i never fit in you see, and since there’s so many circus acts here in Liverpool i figured I’d put everything I love together and create some sick entertainment. Plus I love to support local acts.
Is it hard to make your music and the circus fit together?
Not at all! My music is ‘Circus Rock’ so the show is wild anyway, then just sprinkle in some burlesque dancers, jugglers, and acrobats and you’ve got it!
How does writing and performing in Liverpool compare with California?
Liverpool is very community based, but LA is HUGE, definitely not a walking town. I left Cali when I was 18 so I didn’t have much of a chance to explore the music scene. However, I love Liverpool’s passion for getting involved with their fellow artists.
Where did the title The Beginning come from?
This is my first ever EP! It’s also the beginning of my love saga with Matthew and the my three years here in Liverpool.
The EP has radio edits for FU Matthew and This old guy, will there be unedited versions released?
Oh but of course ;) You can find the full original versions on iTunes and Spotify.
What inspired you to make an animated video clip for FU Matthew?
I met up with local Liverpool animator Ilan Sheady, after doing some live modeling. He recognized me from a gig and remembered the song F U Matthew, it was so different yet catchy. We became quick friends over our love for the Rocky Horror Picture Show and pretty soon we were planning a music video with loads of references, you can pick out for yourself ;)
Does Matthew know that you wrote a song about him? If yes, what was his reaction?
Ha! Yes he does, and he told me he probably deserved it, though I don’t know if he remembers that part. We’re really good friends now that I’ve moved on, but most of my songs were about our back and forth relationship. He’s a very chill guy and also a songwriter, so he gets it. We actually wrote several songs together and had a duo last summer called Playground Philosophy, but decided to focus on out solo careers.
You’ve been studying at Paul McCartney’s Performing Arts School, LIPA, how has that been going?
I’m about to graduate! It’s given me a safe place to test out my sound, image, and to learn who I am as an artist. It was the first place I had a ton of friends because I wasn’t the only artist, and I’ll always be grateful for that.
Do you ever listen to your own music?
Yes….yes I do…although i guess that’s really uncommon, but I worked so hard on it and it still makes me laugh. If I can’t enjoy it, why should anyone else?
What other music do you listen to?
EVERYTHING it changes on a daily basis. I’ll go from Les Mis to Rage Against the Machine to Regina Spektor to Led Zeppelin. Lately I’m all about Gwen Stefani.
What do you plan on doing after you graduate from LIPA?
That’s a funny question because the music business is so fickle and constantly changing. I don’t know where I’ll be living, but with everything online these days I can share my music and gorilla tactic campaigns with the world. I’ll still be singing my songs and being my sparkly circus self :)
Check out Chanel Samson’s webpage to find out more!
