We caught up with Chelsea Perkins, the self-taught 21 year old soul-pop singer, songwriter and producer to find out a little more about the girl behind the voice that many compare to Adele and Duffy mixed with the contemporary sounds of electro-pop.

Chelsea reveals that she has always loved singing and playing the guitar throughout high school, but it was not until she was in acting school in New York City that she decided she wanted to do this as a career choice and the one thing that Chelsea always fell back on was her guitar playing, singing and writing songs.

When did you first get into music?
I got a guitar for my birthday when I was 14, and started to teach myself. I got heavily into theatre in high school and decided to move to New York and go to acting school. I was about a year in my studies when I discovered that I really wanted to make music. I was about 18. I would be writing songs instead of focusing on my acting work. I never really saw music as a possible career choice until I moved to New York. I didn’t know how I was going to do it, but I knew it was the only thing I wanted to do and that I was going to make it happen. It was like an epiphany.

What made you pursue music over your acting career?
I was freaking out at the thought of finishing school and having to actually peruse acting. Having to audition and get rejected. It also made me very self-conscious. I saw how my school mates where so excited and passionate to get involved in their careers. I was literally just stressing out at the thought! People would tell me how the music business was the same, but I didn’t care. I suppose that’s how its supposed to feel when you really want something.

How did you get into producing your own music?
My friend Devon C. Johnson and I started to make music together in 2010. He would produce and I would write and sing. I really just learned from watching him and started to catch on. He helped me pick out my first midi keyboard and within the year I had my own little home studio producing and recording demo tracks in my room in Brooklyn.

If you weren’t making music what do you think you would be doing?
Hmm….. Probably being a struggling actor in NYC.

What would you say is the inspiration for your music on a whole?
I generally use my music as a way of expressing myself truthfully. I definitely hold myself back sometimes when expressing true thoughts, feelings, and emotions in life, but I feel free to say whatever I feel and want in song even if others don’t approve. I have so much to say! A friend of mine told me they felt like they didn’t really know me. Listen to the music. It’s all in there.

Who has been your biggest influence?
Thinking back now I would have to say Amy Winehouse. When I first heard her Back To Black album, it inspired me to write and sing. I wanted to sound just like her. I wanted to pour my heart into song. I was so upset on the day of her passing. I always had this idea of someday meeting her and tearing her mind apart.

If you could choose to work with anyone who would it be and why?
Mark Ronson. I’ve always been such a huge fan of his music and work. That or feature on a Skrillex track. I secretly totally dig filthy dubstep.

Where was your favourite performance?
I did this small tribute to 9/11 showcase in a small performance room at The Producer’s Club in New York. It was the first time I had performed any of my original productions. It was just me singing and playing along to my midi keyboard and laptop. People were jam-packed into this tiny room and you’re singing right in their faces. It was such a high!

What can we expect from the EP you’re currently working on?
Wanting, lust, and revenge. Oh my life…

So what can you see for the future?
Lots of gigging, traveling and writing. I want to be recognized as a notable singer, songwriter, and producer. Not many notable artists in this industry write their own music anymore let alone are involved in the creation process. To be a woman and say that I can is quite powerful.

Whose your favourite artist right now?
I have a few right now. I’m really digging Alex Clare’s album as a whole. Jamie Woon’s album is always playing on my iPod too. Both have sick production and amazing voices.

If you were on a desert Island, who would you take with you?
Who? Well, that’s a secret 😉

What was your most embarrassing moment?
I was 20 and loved going to gigs and being involved, but in New York you must be 21 to enter the music venues. So I used a fake ID to get in. I was pre-drinking with friends and upon arrival I forgot that I hadn’t eaten dinner and literally 5 minutes inside the venue I had to leave cos I was so sick. Everyone was calling me worrying and wondering where I was. I felt like the underage girl in the group who couldn’t control her alcohol!

Now we know a little more about the 21-year-old songstress. Make sure you have a listen to the track ‘New York’ on and look out for Chelsea Perkin’s next EP, it’s sure to be a good one!

Keep in touch with Chelsea on Twitter and Facebook

Contact her management on [email protected]

 

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