Pop artist Alice Chater may be new to the music industry, but she has already been on the charts and impressing listeners for some time now. She’s caught the attention of music fans around the world with her single ‘Hour Glass’ and through her skills in the fields of dancing, singing and performing. In an exclusive interview with United by Pop, Chater opened up about songwriting, being in the studio and goals for the upcoming year.
Can you tell us a little bit about the start to your career?
I grew up in Kent and started singing opera when I was very young. My mum used to play it around the house and I’d always copy! Then I moved on to dance – I’m from a family of ballet dancers – and went to college to train in dance and performing arts. It was around this time I started writing pop music and would often sneak out of college to go to the studio to record. I got kicked out of college before I even graduated, but it all worked out in the end thankfully!
Congratulations on ‘Hour Glass!’ What was the process behind creating that song like and what makes you excited about it?
Thanks! I’m so happy this song is out. I wrote it last year with Mark Ralph who produced Years and Years’ records and Clean Bandit as well. He’s amazing and we were channeling some real disco vibes in the studio. The lyrics are kinda dark but the production is a lot of fun – almost a bit Madonna – and I always like that combination.
The video for the song features some talented choreography! Have you always danced or is that something you have learned to love more recently?
Always dancing, always singing! I’ve definitely expanded my tastes in styles of dance more recently though. I actually went to Bollywood dance class a few days before we shot the ‘Hourglass’ video and a few of the moves made it in the final video! I love trying new things. I do aerial as well so I’m really trying to improve my skills with that so I can incorporate it into live shows and things.
You have a debut headline show in London on November 15th! What is your favorite part about performing and being on stage?
I’m so excited for the headline show! This year I’ve been busy trying out lots of different setups with the show – sometimes with the full band, sometimes with the dancers – and I’ve loved all of them so far. I get pretty nervous before I go on but once I’m on stage and I see the audience I just enjoy it so much. Hopefully, as we go along, the venues will get bigger and I can have some real fun being creative and working on the production. I love big pop concerts with big production, so that’s the goal!
Who are your inspirations that have played a part in the music you create?
In terms of vocals – Whitney, Christina, Celine Dion. For dancing and performance, it’d have to be Britney and Michael Jackson! When it comes to songwriting, I’m influenced by whatever is going on in my life that day! Heartbreak, friends – it could be anything!
What advice do you have for young girls who want to follow a similar career path as yourself?
When you’re not making music, how do you spend your free time?
