Q&A: Refocusing, Prioritizing and Persevering, Rachel Chinouriri Navigates the Process of Creating Her Debut Album
“IT REMINDS ME NOT TO GIVE UP EVEN WHEN I FEEL LIKE IT” — Working on her full-length debut record for the past year has been a whirlwind for Rachel Chinouriri. From writing, touring, finalizing her album, and trying to strike a balance between it all, the 24-year-old alternative indie-pop artist is navigating the highs and lows of the process.
It’s hard not to be a perfectionist when you adore your craft, but Chinouriri’s artistry flourishes with each new release, so much that it seems to pour from her effortlessly. With each crystalline song and nostalgic music video she shares, fans are lucky to get a slice of her distinct sound and aesthetic.
From her buttery soft vocals to her infectious indie-pop melodies, Chinouriri’s unique spark is evident from the early demos she released in 2018. Making her first mark on the scene through these SoundCloud uploads, the years following have seen the London-based singer sign to Parlophone Records, release a mini-album, multiple EPs, and more mesmerizing singles. With each move, the anticipation for a full-length project intensifies, as music lovers latch onto the euphoria and magic of Chinouriri’s dreamy melodies and authentic songwriting.
The critically acclaimed artist landed on the coveted BBC Sound of 2023 shortlist and has previously been praised by the likes of The Needle Drop’s Anthony Fantano, naming her mini-album Four° In Winter his number-one project of 2021. She’s shared stages with Sam Fender, Bloc Party, Remi Wolf, and Kojey Radical; Chinouriri has collaborated on tracks with Mac Wetha and The Snuts. Life lately has consisted of touring with Lewis Capaldi and writing in LA as she wraps up her album.
In a candid conversation, we caught up with Chinouriri to discuss social media, the impact of a hobby becoming a job, and her intentions for the rest of 2023. Read the interview below.
LUNA: Hey Rachel! How are you doing?
CHINOURIRI: I am well — very busy, though (which is great)! I was in LA writing for the album, which was exciting.
LUNA: I love how you’ve been documenting your album process on Tumblr in a stripped-back way. I found it interesting when you mentioned how your craft/hobby has now become your job, and that it’s sometimes hard to navigate that shift because you’re living your dream. How have you tried to work through that during your writing trip?
CHINOURIRI: Thanks! I haven’t been keeping up with them recently as I need a bit of a break from social media, however I have looked into speaking with therapists and family because it was starting to make me sad despite me being in a great situation career-wise… I need to refocus on why I started music, which is hard when you enter the music business. I hold my music very close to my chest, and I have realized I have to try and distance myself from the songs and accept opinions even if I don’t ask for them — that’s what I need to get used to.
LUNA: How have you found balancing your work and personal life with what you want to share on internet platforms as an artist?
CHINOURIRI: I’ll be honest, I feel like there is no balance anymore. Everyone needs to know what you’re doing (especially as an artist) or it feels like you lose engagement/interest. This is why I feel like it’s incredible how people like PinkPantheress and Alexa Demie use their platforms — they just make sure the art they produce is great.
LUNA: TikTok has its pros and cons for sure, but it’s a good place to test the waters with unreleased tracks, and so many of us are grateful for discovering your music there. I know you teased “Maybe I’m Lonely” a few months back. How important was it for you to get “Maybe I’m Lonely” released first?
CHINOURIRI: It was super important to me. It’s a song I love, but I wasn’t sure if it fit into the world of the album. It was almost an exact replica of what happened with “So My Darling,” and it shows that it connected with people.
LUNA: Do you take much inspiration from other media for your music? If so, are there any specific books, movies, or shows you’ve read/seen recently that’s helped influence you creatively? Any music?
CHINOURIRI: I have a nostalgic connection with my influences. I don’t think I consume music in the same way anymore. To find any new music/buzz, it feels like most of it is done on social media now, then I try to avoid social media so I fear I miss out on a lot. My core influences always come from people I loved when I was younger, which includes people like Coldplay, Daughter, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Labrinth, James Blake, Florence + the Machine, etc. I don’t watch many films but I do watch a lot of investigation documentaries, which have influenced some songs for me before.
LUNA: Your aesthetic is beautiful, and it ties in so well with your music videos, especially for “I'm Not Perfect (But I'm Trying).” How important is the visual side to your music, from videos to album art, etc.?
CHINOURIRI: Super important. Listening to things is all great, however the visuals are so important. Your surroundings affect your mood visually and the same applies for music. Music creates a certain world or atmosphere and these things need a visual to match, so I take a lot of pride in that.
LUNA: “I'm Not Perfect (But I'm Trying)” is an empowering indie-pop track. Can you share a favorite memory or backstory from writing or recording this song?
CHINOURIRI: I was actually having a terrible time. I was burnt out, and every time I had a day off I kept getting sessions and wouldn’t get ideas, and the first time I met Rob [Milton], I had a “menty b” in the session and left for a week. Then I came back and decided I was going to write what I wanted. That’s how the song came about, and it reminds me not to give up even when I feel like it!
LUNA: With your album writing underway, headlining Hoxton Hall for four nights(!!), and big festival slots, what intentions do you have for the rest of 2023? What are you most looking forward to?
CHINOURIRI: My intention for this year is to make an album that reflects me and where I’m at, to write the most honest music I’ve written, and be the best performer I can be. I’m most looking forward to getting my debut album out and performing it live!
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