Singer-songwriter iamChloeMartinez talks the creative process & inspiration behind latest release ‘7654’ + more

What or who inspired you to begin a career in music?

My earliest memories evolve around music. It was a fun hobby and I had the most amazing childhood full of it. Growing up I used it as a coping mechanism against bullying and then against my illness and during my 3 months in hospital at 9 years old. My near death experience made me realise how much it made me happy and how much it got me through my treatments and feeling unwell. It was a shifting point, a month after coming out of hospital, my parents signed me up to an Academy and 2 years later I was singing before The Earl and Countess of Wessex, Prince Edward and his wife Sophie, at the Inauguration of the Gibraltar International Airport. I started to believe in myself more and trusted myself to enjoy what made me happy.

What differs you and your sound from other artists in the music industry?

My sound is a massive mix of my cultural upbringing and genres I fell in love with growing up. I am mainly into pop but every song I have created has an influence of Latin/Hispanic feel, Blues, Jazz or soul. I like to experiment and explore and don’t want to fall under one label. I am like that with who I am in my personal life too.

Your new single ‘7654’ is out now. Can you please describe the creative process and inspiration behind the release?

‘7654’ is a result of a few years worth of experiences. I came up with the song’s pre-chorus when I was 16, couldn’t finished it and left it. I went through a breakup in 2020 that inspired me a little further but couldn’t motivate me to finish the song. By October time last year, I had experienced friend loss in a way I never expected. The song is about counting down and finally coming to the realisation of it being ok to let go of people and the memories that came with them, if they no longer serve you or are any good to you.

So ‘7654… I don’t want you anymore’ could be interpreted in many ways, thinking of an ex, an individual you once had a crush on, a job, a friend etc. The lyrics came to me whilst I had a good cry in the middle of the night and the melodies come to me in the middle of nothing, mainly during a shower or when I cook ahaha.

Throughout your musical career, have you experienced any ‘wow’ moments?

I have been so fortunate to have quite a few wow moments and I hope to gain more and become Gibraltar’s first female and openly Queer breakthrough artists. By the age of 11 I had sang to Royalty and opened my own Airport, Performed at MTV Calling, had a very time being a part of a successful band ‘The Soulmates’, Performed at The Royal Albert Hall alongside other choirs to break a world record, International Jazz Festival, Harley Davidson Festival and compete worldwide with GAMPA in choral competitions where I not only became a European and World Choral Champion but also gained a lovely family and met so many beautiful people. I could list so many events, every single gig no matter how big or small, has pulled my heartstrings out of adoration for supporting audiences and great music.

What personal advice would you give to someone wanting to pursue this career?

Personal advice that I would give to someone pursuing this career is to not compare yourself to anybody. In this career and in any. To do what you love and if your heart is in the right place and you work hard, it will all pay off. The day you fail is the day you give up on yourself. It can take 5 months, it could take 15 years… you’ll get there, I know you will.

iamChloeMartinez

Photo Credit: @yonickvelasco

What does the foreseeable future hold for you as an artist?

The foreseeable future can find me releasing more music and a whole album titled “To me, from me”, a lot of live shows, potential collaborations, festival appearences and hopefully a whole lot of history/herstory making for my homeland. Health, love and happiness are the most important above all.

Anything else you would like to add?

Thank you very much for a lovely interview. Keep streaming and listening to 7654! Use the sound on TikTok! 🙂

‘7654’ is available now via Spotify and all major platforms.

Connect with iamChloeMartinez

TikTok | Instagram | LinkTree

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.