Chelsea Wolfe, described by the New York Times as a “goth crooner” and featured in the Game of Thrones trailer, has one of the most fascinating voices (and personalities) in metal. On the occasion of the release of her stunning new album She Reaches Out To She, which is reminiscent of her PJs, Hervey Harvey, the singer talks about her love for the house, her Margiela tabby, her boots and Björk. Ta.
Ten years ago, Chelsea Wolfe’s mesmerizing song “Feral Love” was featured in the trailer for the fourth season of the cult series Game of Thrones. Many people fell in love with the world of this 40-year-old American singer-songwriter.
Nicknamed a “goth crooner” by the New York Times, Chelsea Wolfe was unknown to fans of occult music such as folk, electronic, metal, neofolk, drone metal, and art-folk. However, her name remained a closely guarded secret among her insiders. After releasing numerous albums and her EPs, the Gothic Priest released her most accessible record to date (PJ Harvey, Tricky, Portishead, Twin Peaks soundtrack, Nine Inch Her Nails) in early February. I just released “She Reaches Out To She”. The trip-hop-tinged album, which “tells stories of breaking free from the situations and patterns that limit our freedom,” could win her new loyal fans. On this occasion, the charming artist talks about her Tabi boots from the Maison Margiela, her love for Björk and her eventful life.
An interview with singer Chelsea Wolfe, who will be releasing her album “She Reaches Out To She”.
Numero: What does the album title “She Reaches Out To She” mean?
Chelsea Wolfe: This is what my past self says to my present and future self. The various “Is” support each other and share their wisdom. It is also about reaching out to your ancestral lineage and healing their wounds. The album’s lyrics are a call to start loving yourself more and in doing so, take back your power, find more freedom in your life, and step into your true self. The lyrics sing about the pain and joy of being reborn.
How did you feel when writing new songs?
This album exists at the very limit, in an in-between state. It’s like being on the border between old and new. You can’t go back, but you’re not ready to move forward yet…For once in your life, you can find peace. This album is about the possibilities that exist in this empty in-between space. My mental state was like that of a chrysalis in a confusing and fluid transition between caterpillar and butterfly. To be honest, I’m still there…transforming.
This album sounds very different from your previous albums…
Yes, it’s experimental, sensual, mysterious, cyclical electronic music. This is the culmination of sounds I’ve been working on over the years. Once in the studio with producer Dave Sitek (of the band TV on the Radio), the songs evolved into a more electronic sound due to the nature of his studio, which featured many analog and modular synthesizers. I was really excited to see the song’s sound change in this way, as it literally felt like it expressed the album’s themes of transformation and rebirth. And the mixing by Sean Everett (who has worked with Slowdive, SZA, and Yeah Yeah Yeahs) brought everything to life. He added a new sparkle to the song that we needed.
What inspired this album?
I started writing the album in 2020 and got sober (stopped drinking) at the beginning of 2021, it naturally started to change my life in many ways and somehow made me feel new possibilities. I was allowed to. I had lived my life a certain way for a long time, it was my comfort zone because it was what I knew, but I began to realize with new clarity that I wasn’t doing very well. Ta. I was overworked, exhausted, and had too much energy. They demanded to be alive while I was writing these new songs. The more I wrote about breaking free of unhealthy habits, the more I realized I really needed to do it, and I began learning how to break free from the addictions that were draining me.
How has being sober changed your life and creative process?
Removing the fog of alcohol from my life has created a lot of space for new creativity, new magic, and new openness. It’s not always easy. In fact, it is difficult because you have to face the shadows and sorrows of life without letting anything paralyze you. But I’ve been numb for so long that it’s interesting and exciting to face life fully present today.
Which artist has influenced you the most?
there are many! Townes Van Zandt, Haruki Murakami, Sylvia Plath, Yoji Yamamoto, Anne Demeulemeester, Sarah Faith Gottesdiener, Pam Grossman, Marjorie Cameron, Ursula K. Le Guin, Alice Hoffman , Yoshitaka Amano, Mamoru Oshii. And when I was writing a new album in my late 30s, I drew inspiration from the music I loved in my late adolescence in my 20s, including Massive Attack, Tricky, PJ Harvey, Björk, Nine Inch Nails, and Placebo. I felt that I received it.
Your song “Everything Turns Blue” is about healing after a breakup. How did it come about?
One of my loved ones left a 30 year relationship after finally realizing how harmful it was to them. I wrote this song about my journey of finding myself alone after spending 30 years with someone who wasn’t very nice to me. But they were trying to convince themselves otherwise. Once that album was completed, something clicked within me and I also felt the need to leave a toxic (business) relationship. I had the courage to do it because I was writing these songs that showed me the way.
Your track “Place in the Sun” is very emotional. What kind of content is it?
It’s about finding a “home” within your body after being disconnected for so long. It’s about finding safety in your body in a world that thrives on insecurity. I talk about simple acts like breathing, singing, and rediscovering the joy of these simple things.
One of your albums is titled “Pain is Beauty.” How cathartic is art for you?
It has always been cathartic for me to face shadows and harsh realities and find ways to poetically understand them and put them into song. Sometimes asking the right questions is more helpful than having all the answers. And my songs ask a lot of questions.
I heard one of your songs in the Game of Thrones trailer… What are your movie and TV show preferences?
It’s great that there’s a connection to Game of Thrones. I really love all of actress and director Brit Marling’s work. Together with director and writer Zal Batmanglij, we have created a world as beautiful as The OA series, bringing…