Bristol-based singer-songwriter Chandra recently released his fourth single/music video, ‘Lighters to the Sky,’ yet another uplifting example of his unique guitar pop, forging his way through a number of styles and genres with a positive message and solid lyrical prowess.
“I wanted to write a positive, uplifting antidote to the blues,” says Chandra.
Chandra fronted the alt-rock band Circa in his late teens, so is used to being on-stage and putting on a great performance at the drop of a hat.
With his powerfully raw and commanding voice Chandra writes from the heart with stories of the human condition; the struggles of self-belief, building confidence, and riding the daily seesaw of mental health.
Tatoo.com spoke with Chandra to find out more about the inspiration for “Lighters To The Sky,” how he got started in music and his guitars.
What inspired your new single, “Lighters To The Sky?”
‘Lighters To The Sky’ is basically a love song to all the people who have a dream but are struggling… who know deep down inside what they want to do but can’t find the support they need to follow through. And we all get it, right? All of us. It doesn’t matter whether you’re the world’s greatest overachiever or the universe’s muttliest underdog. We all have ‘something’ that we want to achieve or see through. The six months leading up to writing ‘Lighters To The Sky,’ what really started to hit home was the impact that social media has on people’s confidence. I was seeing people posting things… achievements… things they wanted to achieve… but then the response to those posts was often flat. And then there would be one or two sarcastic comments (perhaps meant in jest) but they ended up defining the conversation, which meant that person, who was just trying to share something that was important to them, basically had a negative reaction. Which is awful when you think about it, right? And it was happening A LOT because social media has turned into this place where people click a like button to show support, but they don’t say anything. Whereas people who want to get a reaction write a sarcastic or negative comment.
I thought it was really important to give a voice to that struggle, that pretty much every single person has at some point. You want to drink less alcohol? You go for it. You want to get fitter and run 2k? Go smash it! You want to climb that mountain and set an example for your kids? Good on you, dude. It doesn’t matter how relatively big or small the dream. What matters is that people support each other; think through in your head what reaction you would like if you were trying to achieve something important to you. A flippant comment can actually have a devastating effect… but at the same time one positive comment can supercharge somebody’s day… so choose your words wisely and the whole world will be a nice place.
Who directed the music video and where was it shot?
So actually, I storyboarded, directed, and shot the music video myself… so all the shots are either me behind the camera or me setting up a camera and pressing record! Luckily, I have a bit of experience as a cameraman and editor so I was confident I could do it, but it definitely would’ve been easier with some help!
I knew from the beginning that the music video had to be a narrative, showing two very different examples of people at different stages in their lives, trying to achieve something that was important to them. The first story follows a young college dancer, trying to learn this tough sequence for an exam. It means everything to her, but people can just be plain nasty and one comment really upsets her. Her friends and family give her the strength to carry on and she ends up smashing it. This was shot in the streets of Swindon, UK, and the dance sequences were shot in Wilkes Dance Academy (Swindon, UK) so huge thanks to them for letting me use that space for free! And crazy big hugs to Liv and Eve, who choreographed and performed it all for free.
The second story is very different; a mum with two young kids, trying desperately to get a bit of her former life and fitness back. When you haven’t exercised for a long time even the slightest thing can seem exhausting and daunting. So, when you talk about being able to run to a landmark on the horizon, it can seem like a marathon. It takes monumental inner strength to make that decision… just getting to the point where you decide you’re going to start… that’s hard enough already. This story was shot in Wotton-Under-Edge, which is on the edge of the Cotswolds, UK. Massive thanks to my wife Carly for starring!
How did you get started in music?
Oh man, I don’t think anyone has the attention span for that! But if you insist!
I was in my last years of high school/secondary school and my mate Graham and I just constantly messed around singing songs all day (at the time we would do stupid versions of Charles & Eddie’s’ Would I Lie’) and that led to us doing Open-Mic Nights at the local pub as soon as they would let us in the door. Before that first performance, I really had no passion for anything. I thought maybe I would be a vet (and I did go on to do Biology, Chemistry, and Physics for a few years) but that open mic just blew my mind and defined everything that came after. It was 8 minutes that changed everything.
Let’s talk gear for a moment. Which guitars, amps, and pedals are you currently using and why?
Yeah, now you’re talking! So, listen; I’m not technically the best guitar player in the world or the best singer in the world. I think I write good songs and I get away with my lack of technical ability by putting on a good show. But hand-in-hand with all that come some amazing, ultra-cool weapons that make me formidable! My cherry-red Gibson SG, for example. As a teenager, it was the most expensive thing I had ever bought (credit card of course) and I literally only bought it based on the fact that it was the coolest-looking horny angel I had ever set eyes upon. Turns out, when I plugged it into an original 1965 Vox AC30 amp, it sounded like a choir of horny angels. And then there’s my black Takamine EF341SC electric acoustic. I needed something easy to play but that also would stay in tune, because I jump all over the place and hit the strings pretty hard. But I also needed something that my Gibson SG could walk up to in a bar and want to take home. You know what I mean, right? This is that guitar. It’s so understated and confident… sleek black lines and the embodiment of cool but she asked me to line her with diamantes to give her an extra sparkle on stage, so I had to do it.
Are there any special recording techniques you use in the studio?
Yeah… I don’t know if the word ‘special’ applies here. Probably ‘weird’ is better. When I’m recording vocals, I like to hear the song but I really like to hear myself singing rather than the sound of my voice in the cans. Instead of trashing my expensive headphones so that sound only comes out of one side, I put the headphones on but then essentially mute the left-hand side with a double wrapped-around hiking sock. So yeah; I record vocals with a sock attached to the side of my face. Who knew? Well, now everyone does, I guess.
How do you keep your sound consistent on stage?
Personally, I love ‘bodies of work’. In this day and age, it’s possible to love three singles from an artist/band and not have a clue what the album sounds like. Some artists/bands write like that too; just a bunch of singles filled out with other stuff. And that’s cool but I love the story and the journey of a great album. So, for me, I don’t think consistency of sound on stage is important as long as you’re going on a journey and giving people a dynamic ride. You have your ups, you have your downs, you have your chill, you have your reprise. One section might be brainless mayhem, another thought-provoking calm… but you take everyone with you and your attitude and personality provide the consistency.
What inspires your writing? Do you draw inspiration from poems, music, or other media?
With all that’s going on in the world, there is so much inspiration in every second of every day. I write about being positive and creating a better world to exist in, using my own negative experiences to give it all context. I understand the struggles but I’m not whining about myself; I’m making uplifting, singalong tunes about how we can all be in a better place.
What can you share about your writing process?
I know you probably want to read some crazy-long, complicated process involving Zen masters and mountaintops… but honestly, I’m the opposite of that. I pick up a guitar and write a song… often the whole song will be in my head within minutes. Sure, I’ll spend months refining it and months more in the studio getting the arrangement perfect. But that song was probably written in under 10 minutes.
Another thing that happens to me is I’ll wake up with a tune in my head or I’ll be out on the school run and something will pop into my head. And I know that if I don’t get it down it’ll be gone within minutes… like a glimmering fairy snaffled up by the raging wyvern of life. So, I just record it on my phone and later that day I’ll put it down properly. So yeah, I trap fairies on my phone and imprison them for all time… that’s how I write songs.
Which artists in your opinion are killing it right now?
I know I’m probably supposed to big-up a new artist right now but I’m actually going to go with the Foo Fighters. They meant a huge amount to me as a teenager and that first album was a defining moment in my life. The reason why I’m highlighting them now is their resilience, especially Dave Grohl. To lose Kurt Cobain and come back… but then to lose Taylor and have to come back again… just wow. But come back they did and that ‘secret gig’ at Glasto sent a million chills across every nerve in my body, reminding the world that they are as relevant now as they ever were. They are kings, legends, inspirational demons.
What can your fans look forward to over the next six months? Music videos? Live gigs?
So obviously I want you all to go and listen to ‘Lighters To The Sky’ and I’d like to thank you all for your support with that, because it’s my baby and kids they need attention! But my baby has a sibling on the way and all hell is gonna break loose! The next single ‘Pretty’ is out on the 4th of August; we’re shooting the music video in just a few days and it’s going to feature all kinds of people from all walks of life… races, identities, body shapes, abilities, interests, body art. The premise is what we as a society define to be ‘pretty’ and how we all need to be a bit more tolerant of each other, allowing people of all kinds to feel confident enough to just be themselves. The song is just a pure singalong anthem, but the music video needs to be seen. I promise it’ll make you smile and cry at the same time.
