Video Premiere: Chloe Castro – ‘Used To Be’

Having spent her childhood years between Brazil, France and Wales, now County Durham based artist Chloe Castro has captured her journey so far within her latest single ‘Used To Be’.

In her brand new video, Chloe Castro gives a nostalgic nod to more carefree days, as we are invited to reflect on who she ‘Used To Be’ through the lens of a VHS recording. Castro’s determined vocals blend with the warm, cosy tones of the home recording as we are shown what it takes to be raw, honest and tender. A fiery blend of pop and trap, Chloe Castro demonstrates, over atmospheric beats, that strength can be found in vulnerability. ‘Used To Be’ keeps us in a state of excited anticipation for Castro’s debut EP Amid, due for release later this month.

Watch the brand new video for ‘Used To Be’ now, and read our interview with Chloe below:

Hi Chloe, welcome to Get in Her Ears! Can You tell us a bit about yourself?
Hey, thanks so much for having me! My name is Chloe Castro, I’m an R&B/Soul artist living up in the North East of England. I spent the first half of my life moving around a fair bit before ending up in a small town in County Durham where me and my co-writer and producer (who’s actually from London) make all of the music in his bedroom studio. 

When did you initially decide to start creating music?
I learned from quite a young age that I wanted to sing and make music my life. I didn’t know anything about what making music actually entailed, but I knew it was what I wanted to do ever since I can remember. It wasn’t until I was about sixteen or seventeen that I picked up a guitar and actually started writing songs. I’ve been writing lyrics and melodies since I was about twelve, but never knew what to do with them! 

Your new single ‘Used To Be’ is out now – can you tell us what it’s all about?
‘Used To Be’ is one of my faves from my upcoming EP. It’s a little bop I wrote a while back inspired by that point after a break-up where you kind of get your act together and realise your worth. 

You’ve previously mentioned that Amy Winehouse inspires your sound, who else would you say are your main musical influences?
Amy is certainly a huge influence of mine, I think more in terms of my vocal sound than my music as a whole though. Another major influence has got to be Frank Ocean, his music is just a whole other level – it takes you on a proper journey and always seems to have the right amount of everything. I’m also super inspired by what Jessie Reyez and Col3trane have been doing, they’re my two favourite artists right now.

How is your local music scene (in ‘normal’ times!)? Do you go to see lots of live music?
It’s really sad, the music scene is Durham has been destroyed in the last decade but there is a vibrant scene in Newcastle. That’s where I came across Kay Greyson, she’s really good. I just don’t get up there as much as I’d like to.

And what can fans expect from your (now online!) live shows?
I’ll let you know when I have some! 

As we’re a new music focused site, are there any new/upcoming bands or artists that you recommend that we check out?
My local fave is Kay Greyson, so I’ve got to rep her again! Otherwise, if you still haven’t heard of him yet, Col3trane is THE ONE. 

Massive thanks to Chloe for answering our questions! 

‘Used To Be’ is out now, ahead of Amid – the upcoming debut EP from Chloe Castro – set for release on 23rd October.

 

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Video Premiere: NUUXS – ‘Laundry’

Following acclaim from the likes of Annie Mac, Clash and BBC Introducing for 2019’s Redtape Mixtape, London-based artist NUUXS has now shared a vibrant new video.

Propelled by a soulful, sparkling energy, ‘Laundry’ offers a poignant reflection on the domestic pressures that many in society face. Flowing with a shimmering heartfelt groove, danceable glitchy beats and luscious sultry vocals, it’s an uplifting sun-strewn slice of alt-pop. Of the track, NUUXS explains:

“Having observed my mum, the once vivacious ballerina, turn into a very tired woman with severe back pains from all the heavy duty washing she was doing, I could see why some might turn to alcohol as a form of solace. So I guess this song is me being pissed off with how society can be, and how the government can be. This is the time more than ever that we should see community being at the forefront of leadership.”

‘Laundry’ is accompanied by an artfully created kaleidoscopic new video, hand-painted by animator Charlie Cross. Speaking more about the video, NUUXS expands:

“… it’s inspired by the metaphorical concept for ‘Laundry’, including the idea of “stress is a killer” being shown in the bloodstream and the countdown on the actual washing machine itself representing “the pressure is on”, referring to the pressures of life as we know it.”

Watch the new video for ‘Laundry’ now:

‘Laundry’ is the 3rd single from NUUXS’ forthcoming debut album Heirloom.

 

Mari Lane
@marimindles

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Track Of The Day: King Hannah – ‘Crème Brûlée’

We have actually previously featured this song from Liverpool duo King Hannah as Track Of The Day way back when it was first brought to our attention in July last year, but – with its official release having just been announced on City Slang Records – we felt it only right to sing its praises once again.

In fact, ‘Crème Brûlée’ had me so completely hooked the first time around that the band even featured in my Ones To Watch for 2020 (hate to say I told you so…). It just completely cast me under its spell on first listen.

With a sweeping, ethereal power and the longing, impassioned vocals of Hannah Merrick that flow with a majestic musicality, it’s just utterly compelling; a stunning introduction to the band who I hope to hear a lot more from over the coming months. Although they’re just one single down, with already over 11,000 streams on Spotify and a sound as captivating and original as this, I have a feeling that they’ll be enchanting many more ears.

And now ‘Crème Brûlée’ comes complete with its own beautifully homemade, documentary-style new video. Watch now:

‘Crème Brûlée’ is out now via City Slang. Listen on Spotify.

Mari Lane
@marimindles

Photo Credit: Lucy Mclachlan

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WATCH: Order Of The Toad – ‘Do It With Feeling’

Even though they began making music as flatmates in Glasgow, you’d be forgiven for thinking that Order of the Toad have their origins in sunnier climes. Taking their cue from the intersection of beat, electrified folk and psychedelia, the trio – made up of bassist Gemma Fleet (also part of The Wharves), lead guitarist Robert Sotelo and drummer Christopher Taylor – seem to have that focus firmly set on ’60s California, with latest track ‘Do It With Feeling’. Taken from forthcoming album, Re-Order of the Toad, this latest single follows July’s ‘Lady’s Mantle’ and their Rabbets EP, released in 2019, and finds the group in joyous form, that’s just slightly off-kilter.

Opening with a bassline that throws back to The Animals, the opening verse proceeds with a Byrdsy mix of finger picks and strummed guitar, that sound almost sitar-like. Melodic and gently trippy, the backing is given a warm topping courtesy of Gemma’s vocals, which, by the time the track’s chorus hits, have turned up the power to Grace Slick levels. In fact, that’s reflective of the structure of the whole, with a chorus that kicks the song up to fifth, via a delightfully old-school switch-up in its rhythm section and the whole band on backing vocals. 

The track’s middle eight though, wanders into far more psych territory, verging on something more drone-y, before that familiar melody returns and the chorus reprises. Just as you think the band will take their own order to “stop right now”, so the bass breakdown returns, ending things with just the slightest hint that they’ve gone off the rails.

The video for ‘Do It With Feeling’ sees the band making a series of poses in an aluminium foil draped, DIY photo studio, incorporating various colour filters, props, hats, their instruments and, of course, a life-size model of a toad. It reflects their own home-brewed take on another era’s experimentation and its surrealism, but also the song’s discussion of seeking that perfect take, as the group keep trying for the shot that’s just so, whilst its repetitive nature also matches the track’s earworm tendencies – one listen, and you’ll be humming it for days. And much as it may seem tricky to find new ways to explore the styles of the Nuggets era, it sounds like Order of the Toad have found it pretty easy: even if it is warts and all.

Watch the video now:

John McGovern
@etinsuburbiaego

 

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