Chitra Self-Titled EP Interview

Chitra - Debut Self Titled EP

At the age of only twenty two, Melbourne's Chitra squeezes the juice out of folk, indie-rock and pop and turns it into a zesty new taste of woozy intimacy in her debut Self Titled EP. Singer-songwriter Chitra Ridwan shines, mastering her unique sound that refuses to conform to one specific genre - gleaning elements from across a musical canvas while her timeless voice anchors her songs firmly in the present.

Interview with Chitra

Question: How would you describe your music?

Chitra: My music is story based and lyrically focused. It moves from pop to rock to ballad, whatever feels right for the song. Sometimes catchy and mostly relatable. I like to write music I would listen to.


Question: Can you tell us about debut self-titled EP?

Chitra: This EP is very special as it's my first and it has so many memories sewn into it. A lot of stories, many many feelings and so many lessons I've learnt just from writing them. All of these songs are ones I've written in the last three years that have grown from people playing on it, editing it and having opinions about it. It's about love, friendships and self-reflection.


Question: Is there a particular message you hope listeners take from your music?

Chitra: I don't necessarily have a specific message to share, in this body of work at least. What I hope people take from this is a sense of comfort in knowing that no matter what situation you're in with another or yourself, it's all been felt before in some aspect and to feel included by that.


Question: Do you prefer performing live or recording?

Chitra: I prefer performing live. I really do love playing for people and it's pretty incredible to see people feed off what you're giving them in the moment. I think recorded feels more structured, which isn't a bad thing but is a different feeling.

Question: Which is your favourite song to perform live and why?

Chitra: I'm going to be cheeky and say two. I like playing 'Hold Yourself' live because it is just as much satisfying as it is terrifying. It's one I do on my own and it just feels so vulnerable and personal that when I sing it live it's like a weird little thrill because i feel strangely exposed.

I love playing 'Keep Up' because it's just super fun with my band. It's a little bit sassy and I get to belt it a little bit so what's not to love?


Question: What should we expect from your upcoming tour?

Chitra: Some good supports that you don't want to be late for and some really nice harmonies. We're all really excited to play in some new places as well as one of our favourites. My band is pretty wonderful and work really hard so to be able to play with them on this tour will be lots of fun.


Question: If you could have anyone, in the world, attend a show, who would it be?

Chitra: I want to say someone well-known or someone that has influenced me but I think I would in all honesty have a little freak out. I think if I could have all my family there it would be nice, it would feel comfortable and loving and that sounds like a much better time. But I'm not saying I'd be mad if Lizzo was there.


Question: What motivates you most when writing music?

Chitra: Mostly when I have too many floating thoughts in my head that need to be arranged and writing does that. Or if I've just been to a show and come back with a lot of inspiration, that's always a good feeling.

Question: Which music/artists are you currently listening to?

Chitra: There's a band called Bones and Jones that just put out an album and its very enjoyable and all sorts of catchy. The new Merpire song 'Heavy Feeling' is very very good. I'm also listening to the Palm Springs & Friends album by Palm Springs for what could be the 30th time. I've been getting really into Faye Webster recently too, the arrangements in her songs are so good and relaxed so it still leaves space for her lyrics which are always relatable and well said.


Question: What or who was your inspiration to go into the music industry?

Chitra: I don't necessarily think of it as a matter of inspiration but more of not wanting to do anything else and music being the most enjoyable. But what keeps me going is the support of other musicians and my supportive friends and family. It's so incredible to see how many people are always willing to help or listen. Especially seeing other women in particular working hard at the same thing I am. Music isn't always an easy thing to do but it makes it so much easier having like-minded people that go through the same experiences.


Question: If you could collaborate with another artist, who would it be?

Chitra: There's so many but a dream of mine would be Sharon Van Etten, I like how in some of her songs she's just very honest and it's almost brutal but in a really 'in the moment' way. An Australian act would be Clea, I think she's really clever and I always find things in her songs I don't expect.


Question: What's a typical day like?

Chitra: Some days I work in a lovely café in Melbourne with a bunch of wonderful people. On other days I'm drinking too much coffee, making too many to-do lists, going to a gig or annoying my partner with photos of dogs I could adopt.


Question: What has been your favourite part of becoming a music artist?
Chitra: Being able to share what I write. I think the best thing is when you know someone has connected with it. As a listener I know what it's like to obsess over a song that soon becomes your own little soundtrack of whatever is happening at the time and if I could ever do that for someone that would just make me the smiliest lady there was.


Question: What's next, for you?

Chitra: More shows and more music. I have some songs in the works that I am gearing up to record at some point and we have quite a few shows coming up that we're really excited for.


Interview by Brooke Hunter