An Interview With the London-Based Neo Soul Singer-Songwriter, CHLOE BODUR!

“Glory” is the newest single from North West London’s neo-soul, jazz singer Chloe Bodur, which was just released via Live Nation’s One’s To Watch. Produced by UK Top 10 charting producer JD.Reid (Mabel, Katy B, Sinead Harnett, D Double E) the new single features smokey vocals, ambient neo-soul and funk-fuelled guitar melodies. “Glory” has also been given Track of the Day on numerous BBC Introducing stations, as well as being added to rotation on Jazz FM.

LISTEN to it HERE: https://soundcloud.com/chloe-bodur/glory

Chloe Bodur is a 19-year-old singer-songwriter from North West London. Fusing elements of neo-soul, jazz and pop, Bodur has been gracing audiences with her distinctive style. Embodying emotional rawness and unapologetic lyricism, Bodur delivers an authentic sound of reflection and contemplation which has been resonating with listeners all over the UK.

Raised in a mixed heritage family, whilst immersed in vibrant London, Bodur credits her multi-cultural upbringing for her array of musical influences. Idolizing the likes of Billie Holiday and Frank Sinatra, as well as gaining inspiration from artist’s such as Quincy Jones, D’Angelo and Frank Ocean, it is to no wonder that Bodur’s music effortlessly draws listeners into her own unique world and modern fusion.

Bodur made the move from London to Brighton, where she continued to study music at university and ultimately met her band members. After playing her very first gig, Bodur was picked up by QM Records for the release her of debut single “Glory” and has since been mastering her polished and dynamic sound.

“Glory” thematically focuses on vulnerability and the underlying sense of loneliness. Bodur reveals, “It was originally written as a poem about youth trying to find love in themselves and in others and how one correlates with the other”. As a self-confessed romantic, Bodur conveys her heartfelt introspection through sultry harmonies, which ride atop a hybrid of ambient neo-soul, smooth jazz arrangements and soulful melodies.

Sonically, “Glory” opens with funk-fuelled guitar riffs, slowly transitioning into Bodur’s smokey vocals. With a distinct coolness to her timbre, complex, syncopated drum grooves and hypnotic jazz melodies, Bodur and her band have succeeded in composing a song which is at the fore-front of it’s genre. Produced by UK Top 10 charting producer JD.Reid (Mabel, Katy B, Sinead Harnett, D Double E) and mastered at the famed Abbey Road Studios by Alex Gordon (The Kooks, Raye, Sigrid, Circa Waves), the single has already received the stamp of approval from industry professionals.

Bodur prides herself on the empowerment of young women, hoping to inspire teens from mixed heritage backgrounds and continues to use her music to support female expression and liberation.

Connect With Chloe Bodur Here: 

@chloebodurmusic – https://www.instagram.com/chloebodurmusic/

@chloebodurmusic – https://www.facebook.com/chloebodurmusic/

@c_bodurmusic – https://twitter.com/c_bodurmusic

Learn more about Chloe in the following All Access interview:

Thanks for your time today! Where does this interview find you? Is there music playing in the background? If so, what is it? What music gets you instantly out of a bad mood? What is a song you are loving these days?

I just came home to London for the Christmas holidays so I’m sitting by the christmas tree with my little brother, he’s watching the Man City v Man United game. I’m listening to Al Jarreau – Mornin’ right now. Flower Boy was my album of the year but once I found out Outstanding by The Gap Band was the hook behind 911/Mr Lonely thats been my go-to song the last few days. The only thing that can get me out of a bad mood is food, no song unfortunately.

Growing up, did you always want to be a musician? Can you recall your earliest musical memory? Was there a time where you thought of doing something completely different?

It was always going to be something performance or arts based but not necessarily music. I used to love acting, dancing and film too.

Overall, how do you think 2017 has been for you and music career? What are you most excited about for in 2018? Do you think you will make any New Year’s Resolutions?

Mate, this year has been crazy! It hasn’t even been a whole year really, I only put my band together in March/April and I never expected we’d achieve so much in 9 months. I feel very proud. Theres a few things in the pipeline for next year that I’m really excited about but I don’t want to get anyones hopes up until its final, yano? I haven’t thought about New Years Resolutions yet, my one for 2017 was to do something productive everyday and I stuck to it I think.

I always like to ask artists about where they came from and how that city or town has influenced them as an artist now. So how do you think your hometown and current home has affected you and your music today?

I grew up in London which I think is responsible for the hiphop / RnB / pop influences because thats all my friends used to listen to and thats whats played in most of the clubs. My friends from uni from smaller towns in the UK all seem to have had heavy rock-phases that nobody I know in London ever had. Maybe I’m still yet to have my rock phase.

How do you think “Glory” prepares listeners for more music from you? When do you hope to release more new music and a full collection of your new material?

I love that people have recognized the different influences in the song brought to the table by each of us in the band. Myself and Sergio are predominantly soul influenced, Malte (guitar) always brings the rock and funk, James loves psych and always has the most beaut, floaty, melodic bass-lines, Jono is an incredible jazz drummer and Matt aka Lapsung is a synth/electronic production genius. People should expect to hear a lot more of where that came from, a tasty fusion of different styles that hopefully sound familiar yet refreshing and original. We’re hoping to put out some more music asap.

Did anything surprise you about the process of making “Glory” in the studio? How much did it change in the studio once producer started working with you on it?

The main thing that surprised me was how expensive studio time was when we were looking for a place to record. Small Pond in Brighton gave us a decent rate of 30 quid an hour though so that was good. Jono, James and Sergio played/recorded at the same time then myself, Matt and Malte overdubbed our parts separately. It was quite a simple process.

How do you think you have continued to grow as an artist year after year? What has remained the same?

Being surrounded by musicians at uni has introduced me to a lot of incredible music which I’ve been inspired by. I’m learning and growing everyday I think. Whether its by performing, writing with other people, going to a bunch of different gigs that my friends are playing or just listening to great music at a party. All of it is helping us all grow.

Do you have any final tour dates to wrap up 2017? Where can people see you play live next?

We just played our last gig at The Green Door Store supporting Yakul but we have some live sessions we filmed being released early next year. We also have our first headline show in London planned for February or March 2018.

What do you think of social media today and the importance of it for artists now? Do you find that it’s hard to keep up with it all? 

I wish social media didn’t play such a huge role in the music industry but unfortunately it does and we all have to play along and get involved. I think the fact you usually see a music artist before you hear them nowadays is damaging but that can’t be changed. Video killed the radio star and all that, we’ve just got to accept it and move on. Social media is useful for independent artists though I guess, its free advertising that you can do yourself so thats good. How many people engage with it if you’re not a pretty face though is another argument.

We are living in a crazy and at times rough world right now so I am curious how you think being a musician gives you the most joy in life today? How do you think that new music being created today is going to reflect these difficult times?

Music is a beautiful form of necessary escapism and I’m glad to be a small part of that. I think Kendrick is the leading political voice in music right now. He’s going to be the artist talked about in 50 years time when kids are learning about the BLM movement and police brutality etc which is why I rate him so highly.

Who are some of your favorite artists or rather, what musicians have continued to inspire you and your music? What musicians would you absolutely still love to work with in the future? 

Theres too many to name. I’d love to have a song of mine produced by James Blake or BadBadNotGood though.

What do you hope your fans take away from your music? Do you think there is a greater music in your songs?

I just hope they enjoy it and that the lyrics resonate with them in whatever way they are interpreted.

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

Start saving your pocket money now

Would you like to share anything else about yourself or your music with our readers?

Thank you to everyone thats supported “Glory” so far! We can’t wait to share more music with you.