An Interview With CHASE COHL About Her Latest Single ‘The Way It Goes’ And Much More!

“The Way It Goes” is the latest single from the singer-songwriter Chase Cohl. It was produced by Loren Humphrey [The Last Shadow Puppets, Guards, Willowz], and it handles emotional narratives with delicate, acoustic charm, folk tendencies, and rock ‘n’ roll energy. With Chase pulling inspiration from the sixties and seventies, the song was recorded in LA at Valentine Studios, a recently re-opened time capsule which served as the site for the seminal recordings of Elvis and The Beach Boys. It proved to be the perfect backdrop for Chase’s exquisite sound – one that she has honed over the years as she began indulging her undeniable love for singing and songwriting. Ever the creative spirit, Chase is now diving into her musical journey full force as the passion for her craft that has always existed within her takes center stage. Chronicling her life through raw storytelling, Chase’s honesty is what makes her music so timeless. The Vogue-endorsed Littledoe designer is gearing up to release new music in the coming months. More details to be announced soon!

“She’s taking a firm dive into the spotlight with the premiere of her new track, [and] from this sounds of this, she’s off to a great start. Her delicate performance and heartfelt lyrics sits her within a fine lineage that traces from the Carter Family to Tim Buckley to Natalie Merchant and beyond.” –Paste

Connect With Chase Cohl Here:
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Learn more about Chase Cohl in the following All Access interview with her:

Thanks for your time! So where does this interview find you today? Is there music playing in the background? If so, what is it?

I am in New York, at my brother’s place in the East Village, drinking tea in an old man’s pajama set, because it’s 8:30am. Cat Stevens is playing. I like to ease into my morning music these days.

What’s a song you are loving these days? What music instantly lifts you out of a bad mood?

The Silvertones, “He don’t love you”.
Reggae- Derek Harriot, Bobby Ellis. On extra dark days, my emergency secret weapon is Michael Jackson “Will you be there” (yes, from Free Willy).

Did you approach the start of this year any differently then you did last year? What have been some of the highlights for you this year? What are you excited for in 2018 which will be here before we all know it?!

I think I try to approach each year re-inspired and with a new sense of dedication to myself, my work and staying committed to passion. There were a lot of special shows this year. The basement in Nashville in March & more recently at Mercury Lounge in New York stand out in my brain. I am excited to keep releasing music. The full length is done, and I am going back in studio in December to record a side project I’ve written that is an entirely different sound.

Growing up, did you always want to be a musician? Can you recall your earliest musical memory? Was there ever a time where you thought about doing something completely different? What do you think it finally was that pushed you to this career?

As a child, I thought I’d be an artist, I loved to draw, but eventually music crept in there and took over. My musical memories start incredibly young as I spent the better part of my childhood on tour. There were a LOT of naps on top of road cases involved. I think it was realizing how much I needed songwriting and the level of satisfaction I got from playing live shows. I also am super lucky that I have been able to continue running a fashion line while pursuing music. It’s an interesting balance.

I always like to know how a particular city has influenced an artist. How do you think your hometown has affected the kind of music that you are making today?

Toronto has become a really cool town over the years, but I always felt too big for my britches growing up there. I think because I had seen so much of the world at a young age. I moved to New York on my own when I was pretty young. Of course, after a few years away, that Canadian folk sentiment started trickling into my songwriting. There’s something ingrained in Canadian culture, an appreciation of the quiet, and of the natural world, that remains heavily important in my music, and in the music of my heroes.

Let’s talk about your single, “The Way It Goes.” Where did the inspiration for it come from? What was it  like recording it in Los Angeles at Valentine Studios?

Valentine is glorious. I can’t imagine having done the record anywhere else. It’s intimate and nostalgic and the sound is spot on. That song was written at a time when I was in a complicated relationship, beating myself up a bit for making unwise decisions, and developed further once I pulled myself out of that. It’s one of those songs that grew over time, in context & production.

When do you hope to release more new music and a full collection of new songs?

I have a new single coming out in the next week or so, then some videos shortly after that. Will hopefully get the full record out later this year, early next year. Then a side project I’ll release early in the new year.

Now that the summer is over, what was something fun that you did or tried for the first time?

I spent a good chunk of the summer over in England working on music & drinking countless Negroni’s. Morning runs through primrose hill & late pub nights in Camden were a highlight.

Have you been able to perform a lot lately? Where can people see you play out live next?

I have played a fair amount this year, but hopefully next year I’ll be able to get on some longer stretches. I’ll be setting something small & intimate up for LA and maybe NY before year’s end then get back on tour after new year I believe.

How do you think being a musician gives you the most joy in life today?

I love playing live & I love writing songs. The thrill of being able to be vulnerable an honest to a room of people is something I will never tire of.

Do you believe that the music being created right now will be greatly influenced by the intensely politically charged times we live in right now? How has it affected you as a musician in general?

I hope so! I am a massive fan of protest music, Phil Ochs, Dylan, Seger. There is not enough protest in music today. We live in the most politically un-restful time in decades and I have yet to hear a single pop singer talk about it in their music. It’s upsetting to say the least. It affects me greatly as I’m an incredibly sensitive person, but I also am always treading sort of lightly with my political words as a non-American living in the States.

What artists have continued to inspire you and your music?

Karen Dalton, Joni Mitchell, Judee Sill. Those are probably the three I come back to most. And of course Dylan for his amaranthine brilliance with a pen.

Who would you absolutely love to work with in the future?

The Milk Carton Kids. I saw them play earlier in the year on a group show and was blown away by their performance.

What advice would you give to a young person who is considering becoming a musician one day?

Stay true to your individuality. It’s becoming harder and harder to find true originals these days.

At the end of the day, what do you hope your fans take away from your music? What do you hope is the message of your songs?

I hope they simply feel some level of community, in shared experience. Some of these songs were written in pretty trying times for me, and I like to think that if I could make one person feel they’re not totally alone, I’ve executed my goal.

Is there anything else that you would like to share with our readers about yourself or your music?

Just stay connected! There’s a lot of special new stuff coming.