Q+A: Cloe Wilder
Not many people have the talent that the young singer-songwriter Cloe Wilder possesses. Cloe has a unique ability to take elegance and tragedy all into a melancholy pop sound that has drawn comparisons to the likes of Lana Del Ray.
In for an exciting year, she plans to have her debut festival performance on July 9 at Summer Nights Fest in addition to the release of her upcoming project. For now, the Indie talent is releasing her second single of the year “One Step Closer” which features a colorful, twisted video.
Following the release of her new music, we got the chance to chat with Cloe through email.
You’re still in school, right? How is the journey of being a professional artist while also going to school?
I went to school in person up until 8th grade, but I'm doing high school virtually! It definitely works for me. There's more time for music and life. It's still all about balance, which I'm learning to be better about.
What is it like constantly traveling from your home in Clearwater, Florida to LA?
I'm very connected to Clearwater; family, friends, and growing up. I'm starting to love spending this stage of my life there. I feel that LA's in my future and will always be there. For me, that's where music lives and it really excites me. It's cool to get a preview.
Even though you have been involved with music since a young age, did you ever think, early on, that music would be your career?
I really did see myself as a musician. I'm not sure where that came from, but I was pretty sure of myself.
I’ve noticed, in almost every music video you are seen wearing a dress, usually white. Is there a reason for this?
Honestly, there's not any specific reasoning behind the white dresses. I do like dressing a little ethereal and doll-like.
In addition, color is a big theme for many of your productions like “Pink Motel” and “Call Me If You Need Me”. In “One Step Closer,” rose gold and red seem to really pop out to me. Was this intentional?
Color palettes are my main intention for visuals. "One Step Closer" was meant to be on the pastel side, referencing Edward Scissorhands, but the video does have a slightly warm tone to it! My hair was also very red at the time!
What was the energy like when you and Sam Nicolosi were writing “One Step Closer”?
I absolutely love writing with Sam. He always gets it. "One Step Closer" was fun to make; a little chaotic and colorful. I sang that pre-chorus pretty early on and I think that's when we both heard all of it.
In the music video, you and Jesse DeFlorio use this suburban lifestyle to tell your story. In the video, you said, “the hints of suburbia bring you into this sad and colorful world”. Why was using the suburban aesthetic so important for this song?
It felt like the perfect way to visualize a situation worth leaving; nothing's really wrong with it, but it's lifeless.
Jesse DeFlorio directed “One Step Closer” with you. I noticed Jesse also has credits in the BTS of “I Wanna Be Alone With You,” and that you’ve posted about each other on social media a few times. When did you guys first meet and start collaborating?
I met Jesse in July of 2020. He was shooting BTS for a video of mine. He's very receptive to my visual concepts and I love working with him. This is the second video of mine that he's directed.
You had to deal with the pandemic and not being able to perform early in your career. How does it feel now that you actually can perform?
I want to perform live as often as possible! It's becoming my favorite thing. I'm so happy that I can finally develop my live shows.
I’m going to give you two songs to pick from. The song you don’t choose is gone forever. Which one would you keep?
A: Lana Del Rey’s “Norman F*****g Rockwell!” and “Froot” by Marina and The Diamonds
B: Lana Del Rey’s “Lust for Life” and “Punisher” by Phoebe Bridgers?
Two of my absolute favorites...
A. "Norman F******g Rockwell" by Lana Del Rey
B. "Punisher" by Phoebe Bridgers.
What's been your favorite album this year so far?
Currently, Chloë and the Next 20th Century by Father John Misty.