Project Description
Interview with
CHYMES
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LISTEN NOW
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Chymes is the musical pairing of acoustic singer/songwriter Kiersten Nyman and electronic-based producer Cameron Taylor. Chymes create introverted, enigmatic electro-pop that mixes dark lyricism, playful soundscapes that makes you feel before you can think and have had over 1 million Spotify streams and previous release ‘Grow’ hit #10 on Spotify Viral Charts.
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Praise for CHYMES
A hypnotic pop wonderland – Purple Sneakers
We cannot begin to describe to you all how beautiful and bone-chilling this is. – The Drunken Coconut
Chymes have become a consistent highlight from the Australian electronic scene – Pilerats
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How did it all begin? Where did you develop your interest in performing music to an audience?
Cam: My dad used to play piano a lot at family gatherings so I was exposed to a lot of different music at an early age. When I started playing guitar in my early teens and discovered John Mayer my whole world opened up to songwriting his ability to write music that connects with the masses. I was hooked from then onward.
Kiersten: My sister picked up music when she was a teen and, as the annoying youngest sibling I am, I wanted to copy her! She taught me how to play a few chords on guitar and off I went. I can’t read any music so I’m hopeless in the theory department, but instead I learn everything from hearing.
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How did you find each other? What was your first big break that told you “we are in the right place here”?
Kiersten: I was a singing teacher at a local studio and Cameron had occasional sound-engineering work from the owner of the business. We crossed paths at a student concert and decided to try write a song together.
Cam: After the first few writing sessions, we realised that our mix of different genres (folk and electronic) really worked together. And the rest is history!
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What kind of music did you grow up on? Which artists inspired you?
Kiersten: My dad was into more rock / folk stuff and my mum was and still is a true 80s power ballad chick!
Cam: Stevie Wonder, Billy Joel, Darren Hayes… Definitely Stevie Wonder’s music inspires me to incorporate more interesting harmony within a pop song structure.
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We all live busy lives and seem time poor. How do you find the balance between your everyday life and your musical one?
Kiersten: It’s definitely a struggle, not going to lie. But working an everyday job to pay the bills is a bit of a reality check because it motivates us to work harder during the hours we have available.
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With your latest single and video ‘Wild’ can you describe its origins and evolution? I know how challenging the creative and producing process can be. Did it feel good to complete and are you happy with the finished product?
Cameron: We actually sat down and said “let’s write a pop song” and that’s how it turned out haha! We listen to a wide range of artists so our music has aspects of all sorts of music we love. We love the jungle atmosphere of Glass Animals, but the pop vocal-chop and kick, as well as moody electronic synths and dark lyrics. It is definitely the most happy we’ve been with a song and feels the most complete for what wanted it to be.
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Is there an EP or Album on the drawing board?
Kiersten: We are currently in the writing process to hopefully get a 4 or 5 track EP for 2019!
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If someone had never listened to Chymes before, how would you describe your sound? What would you want them to know about it?
Cam: Dark, moody beats with airy vocals and meaningful lyrics… how does that sound? We would want them to know that we try to create a deep atmosphere that is inviting you to step into another world.
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Do you plan to tour anywhere soon? Any thoughts on going overseas and tapping in to the fan base you are building there?
Kiersten: We would absolutely love to tour. Especially in America because over 60% of our online listeners are all in the states!
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If you did tour overseas, and you could pick absolutely anyone to bring on tour with you, whom would you pick and why? (Dead or Alive)
Kiersten: Well… Michael Jackson. Not that our music is similar in any way, or that we could ever possibly deserve to be in his presence! Maybe Ariana Grande? She’s a fire bomb.
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What are your major goals or milestones for the future?
Kiersten: Get 10 million streams on one song alone. Tour the world! Write a song with Ed Sheeran.
Cam: Play Splendour in the Grass. Tour overseas. Be able to live off our music.
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It’s been a couple of years now, where do you see yourself in 3-5 years?
Kiersten: Touring internationally and playing major festivals.
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Finally, this is a paragraph dedicated to some quick discovery. Really corny, but for the fans, can you tell me your favorite album, artist, movie, place, drink, meal and person (living or dead) and some brief reasons why? Answer some or all please?
Kiersten:
Favourite albums
Ed Sheeran ‘X’
Ariana Grande ‘Dangerous Woman’
Favourite artist
Ed Sheeran because he writes such incredible lyrics. One of my favourite lines is “she’s reinventing loving me as we’re resembling cutlery on the sofa”… that is the nicest way to say “we’re spooning on the couch”!!! But he’s got many other awesome lyrics lol. And he’s worked so damn hard, he is dedicated, and a smart business man.
Favourite meal
I’ve got this cereal I’m really into at the moment. But I also make a mean minestrone soup
Favourite person
My mum. She has always believed in me and let me express myself in whatever way I need to.
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Cam:
Favourite album
Justin Timberlake ‘Justified’
Friendly Fires ‘Parlor’
Favourite artist
John Mayer because his seemingly effortless songwriting and guitar skills! And there’s ‘No Such Thing’ as “too much John Mayer” ;)
Favourite Movie
Princess Mononoke is such an epic movie
Favourite drink
Green tea and papaya or scotch on the rocks
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Find CHYMES
Website| Facebook| Instagram
Spotify| Soundcloud| triple j Unearthed
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