DIGGING DEEPER
CHLOE FOY FEELING AND INSTINCT
When I think of music that moves me, it also tends to soothe me. I think the ability of music to erode away our troubles is magical. But if it doesn’t just make them vanish into thin air, it allows us to sit with things and confront them and to feel things that we may otherwise be hiding under the surface. I’ve long been interested in mindfulness and how it can mould our brains for the better. Music has many similarities. When you sit and meditate, you notice how you’re really feeling, away from the noise and business of our lives that is consistently thrust upon us. Through meditation, it’s possible to realise that maybe you’re not okay and that you need some self-care. I think music does the same, it can bring up emotions that you didn’t Words by Chloe Foy
realise were under the surface all along. Really that’s all I’m trying to do when I write - to make music that makes you feel. I love songs that can leave you feeling euphoric or heartbroken in equal measure, indeed, anything that gives an outlet for some kind of catharsis, whether explosive and purifying or more introspective and admissive. It’s these kinds of cathartic songs that always spoke to me the most as a child and teenager, though I could never put into words why. There’s likely musicaltheoretical reasons as to why certain chords/harmonies/ textures make you feel a certain way, but in my writing, I’m wary of developing too formulaic an approach and feel like the best results are often borne of intuition - I’m often content just going with 12
my gut instead. I take my ‘gut’ very seriously. It’s always been apparent to me how various forms of emotional disquiet manifest in the stomach. So listening to my gut is a hugely important part of my creative practice, but also with regards to other related things such as building a team around you, or creating a visual identity to go with your music. Too many times I’ve ignored my gut, owing to my lack of self-confidence and often deferring to other people for their opinion, only to regret my choice further down the line. So listen to your gut, a lot of feeling, and instinct, happens in there.. The debut album "Where Shall We Begin" is out now. Photography by Andrew Benge
