Born and raised in Barbados, you would expect Ch’An to be a calypso or soca artist. Ch’An is definitely an artist that cannot be boxed in or limited to a specific genre. Ch’An has a beautiful and revolutionary sound that not only incorporates Calypso and Soca beats, but has elements of Jazz, Pop, Reggae and R&B. This well rounded artist has opened for a plethora of artists, some of which include Jah Cure and Chrisette Michelle. The 26 year old artist has achieved a lot in her career and has done many covers of popular songs such as ‘Talking Body’ originally sang by pop artist Tove Lo and releasing her 11 track Ep ‘Lost’ in 2019, we are excited to see what she does next. CARIB VOXX had the pleasure of doing an interview with the remarkable, soulful and profound artist, Ch’An and we found out a lot about her from her background to her inspirations, she left no stone unturned.
CARIB VOXX: “Have you always been a songbird? What inspired you to get into music?”
Ch’An: “When it comes to being a performer I’ve had the most cliche start. I grew up in church, so my first encounter with music was fairly early while singing along with the gospel songs and doing the Christmas recitals, etc. What inspired me to tackle a music career though was the fact that nothing else made me feel happy. “
CARIB VOXX: “Your music falls within the R&B/Soul and Jazz-Pop genres, which is very different from the typical sounds we usually hear out of Barbados. What would you say is the biggest influence on your music?”
Ch’An: “So growing up I had a really cool uncle named Leroy who came by on Sundays playing what we call “Oldie Goldie’s” loudly from his van. I fell in love with the storytelling found in those songs and the jazz which my mother favoured as well. Largely, the sound of my childhood is a lovely mixture of Luther Vandross, Michael Jackson, Patsy Cline, and Billie Holiday, amongst others.”
CARIB VOXX: “How do you think growing up in Barbados has impacted you as an artist?”
Ch’An: “Barbados has such a lovely cultural landscape. So much access to all the artists you look up to. You can go to the supermarket and run into a TV personality or a favourite local legend and they’d be perfectly ordinary and all the more extraordinary for it. We’re unique in that we get to share stages with local legends and learn from them very early on in our careers.”
CARIB VOXX: “What’s the story behind your album ‘Lost’?”
Ch’An: “Lost is about the collision of the dystopic and utopic in our society. A navigation of this juxtaposition as a young woman trying to balance maturing into womanhood, life, love and the topsy-turvy state of the world. In the end we’re all a little lost and trying to figure this “being alive” thing out right?”
CARIB VOXX: “What’s your favourite track on the album and why?”
Ch’An: “The other day my favourite song was Touch because I had run into this really cute guy from a few years ago who I vibed well with. Today, it’s So High because I’ve been thinking very heavily about aspirations, past love interests and experiencing some trepidation at the idea of messing up again. It changes depending on the mood I’m in I guess.”
CARIB VOXX: “Who were some of the producers you worked with on this project? Who was your favourite collaborator?”
Ch’An: “Oh, you’re asking for the impossible! Each producer has different strengths that makes working with each of them hella fun! I dunno how to choose! I worked with Denzil “Diggz” Bovell for ‘Problems’, Shaí Bascombe did almost everything else on the project, with Mosi Daniel coming in on the lovely ‘Hinterlude I: Simple Things.’ A real life dream team.”
CARIB VOXX: “What inspired the album artwork?”
Ch’An: “Funny story about that! That was not the original concept for the cover art but after seeing those shots from a concept shoot with Davidson Antonio of Rush Studios, how could we choose anything else? The concept, photography, lighting, and editing were all done by Davidson. The graphics for the final artwork was created by Mosi Daniel. “
CARIB VOXX: “What inspires your creative process?”
Ch’An: “At the risk of sounding cliche, life inspires me. Whether it be an experience a friend or I have had recently. Or perhaps a news story. Sometimes I write about my own stories, or sometimes I’m inspired by others’. Legit wrote a song after watching a Grey’s Anatomy episode one time!”
CARIB VOXX: “Where has been your favourite place to perform? Do you have any upcoming international shows?”
Ch’An: “I’m definitely going to catch some flights this year. We’re finalizing some details but I’m excited to be performing outside of the island again. Locally Mahalia’s Corner has been a beautiful home for myself and other entertainers alike – I’d perform anytime they call for me. Internationally, I’d say music festivals are the best — with huge audiences that are hungry for good music!”
CARIB VOXX: “You’ve opened for the likes of Jah Cure and Chrisette Michelle. If you could go on tour with any artist who would it be?”
Ch’An: “Right now, I’d love to tour with H.E.R. or Jessie J. Both are extraordinary entertainers; one with a well deserved meteoric rise and the other with an unflappable vocal delivery. I think there’s a lot to learn from both of them. Other artistes I’d love to tour with would be Chronixx and Damian Marley. I believe in my heart their music has a depth of purpose and honesty that really appeals to me. And it would be fun to do ska versions of some of my songs!”
CARIB VOXX: “Which other artists would you love to collaborate with in the future?”
Ch’An: “Dream collabs; Chronixx, Koffee, Teff, Damian Marley, Tobe Nwige, Shaííí, Anderson Paak, J. Cole, Lexi, Eryn Allen Kane, Allen Stone, and the list goes on.”
CARIB VOXX: “What would you be doing right now if you weren’t pursuing a career in music?”
Ch’An: “I feel like I would’ve always ended up in music somehow but I’ll be a good sport! I’d probably be either teaching preschoolers/primary school, interior design or knee deep in fashion design of some kind.”
CARIB VOXX: “What’s a typical studio session like for you?”
Ch’An: “A lot of spilt tea of varying flavours, laughter, some tears, notebooks and tablets full of lyrics, and lots of time in the booth trying to get everything just right. “
CARIB VOXX: “What’s the most important thing you’ve learned over the course of your career so far?”
Ch’An: “Patience, and not to hang my happiness on any one opportunity. Sometimes opportunities aren’t really opportunities. Friendships aren’t all forever. I don’t know which one to pick. Each lesson was heartbreaking though so I’d say they’re all important. “
CARIB VOXX: “What’s the best advice you’ve been given?”
Ch’An: “Read the fine print.”
CARIB VOXX: “What’s next for you?”
Ch’An: “2020 is going to be about the music, and catching planes. It’s going to be about balance. Look out for a full length project this year with my whole heart poured into it. Hope you’re enjoying the warm up. The Lost EP is available everywhere! See you guys soon!”
