Songwriter Profile: Chloe Angelides Has The Write Stuff
With artists like Sia, Bebe Rexha and Julia Michaels making the leap from songwriter to pop star look easy, there’s renewed interest in the people behind the hits. Which is why I’ve started a recurring feature dedicated to pop’s most exciting writing talent. What better time to highlight the creative geniuses behind our favorite songs? The first profile belongs to Chloe Angelides. You might know her as the voice of LunchMoney Lewis’ “Whip It!” or Pitbull’s “Sexy Beaches,” but she’s even more prolific behind the scenes.
After gigging around New York with a short-lived band, Chloe swapped coasts in order to try her luck as a songwriter. Within months she landed a publishing deal and has been steadily accumulating killer cuts ever since. (Highlights include Selena Gomez’s “Sober” and Jessie J’s “Burnin’ Up”). I recently asked the singer/songwriter about her start in the music industry as well as her first cut and the craziest song she has ever written. Get to know Chloe a little better below.
How did you get started as a songwriter?
My hands have always been on a piano. I began writing and producing out of GarageBand. I connected with lots of producers and musicians during the MySpace days and traveled to different studios across the country. After high school, I moved to New York City to pursue my artistry and played gigs for a few years with bands I created off of Craigslist.
We played at Rockwood Music Hall, The Bitter End, Webster Hall — some my favorite Lower East Side venues. By then I’d written a handful of songs but felt like I needed more. I impulsively moved to Los Angeles where I introduced myself as a songwriter and played my demos everywhere I went. After a few months, I signed a publishing deal with Prescription Songs
What was your first cut?
Technically it was a K-Pop version of a song I wrote for myself during my NYC days. I wrote it with a friend I met from Craigslist. But my first cut in America was “Zipper” by Jason Derulo. I wrote it with one of my friends in his basement back in Virginia. Jason even kept my vocals on the chorus. It was a really, really cool moment for me.
Is it ever hard to give a song away?
Of course. You’re splattering your insides out and turning emotions into sound. I try not to get too attached.
What’s the weirdest thing you’ve written about?
Fucking a microphone. [You can listen to that gem here].
Who is your favorite collaborator?
My close friends. We bring out the best in each other — and that’s when the best music is made.
What’s the best song you’ve ever written?
That’s like asking me to pick my favorite puppy.
Best cure for writer’s block?
Live life more.
Who are you writing with at the moment?
At the moment I’m working with Kygo.
Are you working on an artist project?
Always.
How would you describe your songwriting aesthetic?
I dim the lights and try to keep it as genuine as possible. In the beginning of my career, I wrote a lot of songs based off of what I thought other people wanted to hear. I’ve learned the more honest I am while writing, the more relatable the song is the for others.
What’s your favorite song of Chloe’s? Let us know below, or by hitting us up on Facebook and Twitter!
