A Chat with Bedroom Pop Artist, Chloe Berry

music
Written By Caitlin Andrews (she/her)

In promotion of her upcoming single, "Not Thinking Right," editor Caitlin Andrews had the lovely opportunity to ask Chloe Berry a few questions via email about her career in music. Berry is a promising twenty-year-old bedroom pop musician who specializes in homegrown lyrics, DIY sounds and a carefully sugar-coated aesthetic. Throughout her career, she has released upwards of eight singles, including her debut EP, "Blueberry Jams," in April of 2021— though, if you know her, it’s likely for her single "Bugs" which was released in 2020 and has since amassed almost 40,000 streams on Spotify. Multi-faceted, creatively talented and impressively candid, Chloe Berry is exactly the rising star needed to take the music industry by storm, so check out her single "Not Thinking Right" which dropped in November!

Caitlin Andrews: Hi there, Chloe! How’s life?

Chloe Berry: “It’s good! I’m so happy to have started playing live again, and I’m really excited for my next song!”


CA: Your newest single, ‘Not Thinking Right’ is set to come out later this month. What has the creative process been like in relation to the ideation and production of this track, especially in the wake of the pandemic?

CB: “I’ve struggled with my mental health my whole life and I know that this pandemic has been rough for most of us. Lots of songs, including this one, have come to fruition due to particularly emotional times. I feel that "Not Thinking Right" itself is my introspective journey; it ponders on how you feel, and how others react to how you feel. It’s a lesson that you don’t always have to be okay.”


CA: Throughout the course of your music career, there has been consistency surrounding the sonic theme of a ‘coming of age’ soundtrack to an indie film, especially in relation to your track, ‘Breakfast,’ from the 2021 album, ‘Blueberry Jams.’ If you had to pick a film that contained your favorite soundtrack or musical score, which film would you choose?

CB: “I really love the soundtrack to the adaption of The Perks of Being a Wallflower. I discovered the Cocteau Twins from watching that movie, and "Pearly Dewdrops’ Drops" is still one of my favorite songs.”


CA: How have your writing process or musical capabilities changed in relation to your progression from adolescence to adulthood?

CB: “I think my writing has become less wordy. It isn’t that I have less to say, but I feel more particular about my lyricism—I’ve come to appreciate simplicity more as I’ve gotten older. I’m able to express myself so much more carefully and effectively with my music, and I sit down with more intention than I did when I would create music before.”


CA: Previously, you’ve discussed your admiration for Fiona Apple, especially her 1999 track “Paper Bag” (which I can heartily agree with). How do you think Apple’s music, or the music of similar female artists, has affected your creativity or accessibility within the music industry? What mark would you like to leave for the upcoming generation of female artists?

CB: “Fiona Apple taught me the beauty of blunt and gritty lyricism; she doesn’t shy away from being starkly honest. I think she really opened the stage for writing candidly about emotions and mental health struggles, because society often either romanticizes or refuses to discuss tough topics. I think what Fiona taught me and what I hope to emphasize is that you can tell it like it is—you’re not too emotional, and mental health is an important thing to talk about honestly.”


CA: “You’ve additionally mentioned in passing a love for Mitski, a Japanese-American alternative female musician who has many tracks surrounding her difficulty conforming to white American ideals. As a half-Asian creative yourself, can you relate to this notion of displacement and isolation from the predominantly white music industry?”

CB: “Definitely. I think that’s why I relate to her music so much. I feel often that I’m working twice as hard while getting half as far as my white counterparts, but I think things will progress. With more artists like me, and of course, Mitski, I think there will be a change in the industry—there needs to be more diversity in the voices being heard and uplifted.”


CA: What do you think distinguishes you from other bedroom pop indie artists?

CB: “I think my music and art are distinct because I truly do everything DIY. I make my own videos, draw my own cover art, and record everything in my bedroom. Also, my music isn’t trying to be anything—I put it out there in hopes that people will relate, but it generally just flows out of me. I don’t really sit down thinking, "Oh, I want this to sound like X,Y or Z." Whether I’m sharing my music or not, it will always be my coping mechanism.”


CA: Many of your songs are co-created with your significant other, producer, and ‘partner in crime’ music artist Spoonuel. How have you managed to navigate maintaining a professional boundary amidst the personal nature of your lyrical choices?

CB: “I think Spoonuel and I try to be honest with each other, both in music and in life. We’ve got a good balance and an understanding that writing songs is a way of moving on from things for both of us. There are so many interpretations and situations that I relate back to when reading and writing lyrics.”


CA: What is one goal or achievement you would like to reach that would make you feel like you have found ‘true’ success? (whether or not you have achieved that goal already)

CB: “Overall, I would just like to be content, but a specific goal would be to go on tour. I would love to travel, play shows and connect with people, all while getting my music heard.”


CA: What are three little-known facts or secrets about you?

CB: “A. I have an extremely extensive kewpie collection. B. I walk dogs part-time. C. My cat weighs 17 pounds. (His fans have been dying to know).”


CA: Finally, where can we find you on other platforms? What would you like us to know about your upcoming single, "Not Thinking Right?"

CB: “You can find me on all streaming platforms under Chloe Berry, and on social media @thecampergirls. My upcoming single and music video comes out November 19th with Spirit Goth Records, and it’s a song I’m really proud of. I hope people enjoy it!”


Periphery Magazine thanks Chloe Berry for her contribution, and wishes her luck with her upcoming single, "Not Thinking Right"! You can find Chloe on social media and streaming platforms here:

Caitlin Andrews (she/her)
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