Interviews

Chel Talks Body Image And Debut Album

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If you don’t know Chel, honey,  it’s time that you do. Just dropping her debut album “Proof”, Chel is a has a voice to be reckoned with. Musically, she effortlessly glides through ballads and spoken, she’s fearless on breaking norms. We got the absolute pleasure of speaking to her.

SRS: Hey Chel! You have such a beautiful, unique sound. How would you best describe it?

“I like to think my voice is a little bit classic, a little bit soul, and a little bit raspy. These are all things integrated into my vocal journey. I tend to pick things up that I like and mesh them into my singing. Something that has never changed is my love for soul and ballads. I think that will always be a big factor in my sound.”

SRS: You’re album “Proof” just came out! Tell us about it.

“Proof is a story. I named it proof because for a long time I told my self that my dream was unobtainable. This album is proof to myself that I can. I was at a really low point in my life when I started writing this album. Writing is therapy for me. These songs were a compilation of rebuilding and putting my pieces back together. I feel like I ended up stronger after. It is proof that you can Stand back up after a fall. It is proof that you can be bullet proof or better yet, Chel Proof.”

SRS: As of this exact moment in time, do you have a favorite track?

“I think Grasp is my favorite song from the album.”

Keep your heels, head, and standards high.

A photo posted by Sarah Sgro (@musicbychel) on

SRS: How did you touring with X Factor’s David Correy come about?

“A little over a year ago I started working with Andrew Lieber, a booking agent. He called me up and asked if I was interested. I think David Correy is insanely talented. I love his music. I feel as though my music meshes well with his and I could not be more honored/excited for the opportunity!”

SRS: You’re very vocal on your faith and body image. Massive kudos! What inspired you to do so?

“I spend most of my life hating myself for not being the medias standard of what is beautiful. Even more so I hated that I felt like my dream was unrealistic because of my size. One morning I woke up and it just clicked. I woke up and thought no more. My beauty is my own to decide. I decided to start focusing on myself and working on really loving who I was. I decided that no matter what size I was I was going to own it. That was the start of a whole new life for me. When it comes to my faith I have always felt very connected to the Jewish religion. I love the concept of mitzvah, a good deed or an act of kindness. I truly believe that by loving our neighbors we in turn find our own salvation, strength, and love.”

SRS: If you could tell your eight year old self anything, what would it be?

“You are beautiful and your struggles will only continue to add to your beauty. The sun always shines brighter after the clouds pass.”

SRS: Is there any advice you’d give to someone trying to break into the music business?

“Only walk this road if it is what you love. It is not easy and you have to be ready to fight for it which means you have to love it. It is a roller coaster ride. That being said, if you love it, don’t give up. Just when it get the hardest you will somehow find a stepping stone. Another thing would be to not look at it as one big picture. If you look at it like “why am I not on the radio” when you just put out your first song it is easy to get discouraged. Make your goals based on what you can do in a week or in a month and try to accomplish it in little manageable steps. Before you know it you will be farther than you imagined.”

 

Make sure you catch her on tour in March!

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