CHLOË VIOLETTE
“I just want to look back in ten years time and be like ‘yeah, I gave the music thing a red-hot go.’”
22-year-old Southbank resident Chloë Violette grew up along the Mornington Peninsula, which she cites has influenced the laidback vibe in her music. Having only taken up music when she began high school, she isn’t classically trained, but rather her music come from feelings or personal experiences.
“I played clarinet for the first three years of high school and then decided I didn’t want to continue with it. So I bought myself a nylon-string Valencia guitar and taught myself. I just started strumming away and the melodies and lyrics followed.”
Chloë began writing music as soon as she began playing it; admitting that she very rarely collaborates with other musicians. At first, she would find chord progressions that worked and then followed with lyrics, but now tends to keep the two separate.
“Lately, they [the lyrics and chords] have been coming separately in terms of my imagination. Song writing is frame-of-mind based. It’s a matter of coaxing yourself into a creative state of mind.”
Currently residing in Southbank’s arts precinct and working in a bar at the Malthouse Theatre, Chloë finds herself living in what she describes as a “hub for creative people.” Studying a Bachelor of Arts/Secondary Education alongside a Diploma of Languages in French at Monash University has contributed to not only her music, but also her love of teaching.
“In a nutshell it’s a music major, a drama performance minor and a diploma in French, for the purpose of teaching. I find teaching inherent to human nature, whether it’s in the classroom or on stage. The ability to paint a picture through words and linguistics interests me, especially learning another language.”
Her alternative folk/acoustic style is influenced from many artists, both past and present. She cites Carole King, James Taylor, Fleetwood Mac, Joni Mitchell, Daughter, Ben Howard and Florence and the Machine as some of her biggest influences.
“I saw Carole King and James Taylor in concert in 2010. I was probably the only person under the age of 40 there, but it was something else to see powerhouse performances from people in their late 60s/early 70s.”
Chloë’s main goal is to get as many people listening and connecting with her music as possible. She hopes that people will be able to connect with her raw lyrics and appreciate that as a songwriter, her life and experiences are reflected in the songs. This comes following the release of her latest EP Gypsy Girl its debut single 'Hurricane.' She describes the song as being about the innocence of youth and the lessons you learn growing up.
“The EP follows the narrative of the ‘gypsy girl’ and her emotional journey throughout life. I like having an understanding that all the songs are interconnected. It’s a snapshot of my lens looking at the world from the age of 16 to now.”
Chloë is launching her EP Gypsy Girl at the Workers’ Club in Fitzroy on October 30. She hopes to thank and celebrate the culmination of artists that have been influential and inspiring through the process of the EP’s creation. You can buy tickets here.
Check out Chloë Violette on:Website | Facebook | Instagram
Written by Jordyn Hoesktra