Music Journalist Chloe Kay Richardson is reminding us to never forget the classics.
She has a pretty distinct aesthetic, and her passion for the blues is known across the channels she writes for. Chloe Kay Richardson’s love for the likes of Clapton, Phil Lynott and BB King is hard to miss throughout her work, and it is for this insane amount of knowledge that we can consider her an exceptional writer, as rare as some of the synths included in the Arturia V Collection 9. Following a now very specific channel of Australian music, she has her finger on the pulse of Aussie blues while never forgetting where the sound originated.
1. You’re a music journalist, but with a huge focus on blues. Tell me the story of how you narrowed it down to such a specific sound?
The blues is my lifeblood. My very first musical love was John Mayer, and the first time I heard his incredibly passionate solo in Covered In Rain, on Live At Birmingham was life changing. I fell completely in love with his music, and most importantly his guitar playing, which is hugely based in the blues. Through him I discovered the blues greats, Stevie Ray Vaughan, the three Kings, Buddy Guy, etc. and I became OBSESSED. To see someone put their all into their music, and to hear and feel such intense spirit being drawn from their instruments is one of life’s greatest pleasures, as far as I’m concerned.
From there on out nothing else mattered, and I knew I wanted to spend my life helping to keep the blues alive. I started a music blog at 17 called Ultra Underground, and it was dedicated to exposing and writing about budding blues players across the globe. It was a great way for me to indulge my two biggest passions, writing and the blues, and to also help upcoming musicians reach a wider audience. That gave me some incredible opportunities.
2. You live in Western Sydney. How has that been for developing your love of music?
Growing up in Fairfield there wasn’t a music scene at all, but living there definitely inspired a love of music, though not in the way you might imagine. I was quite badly bullied and spent the majority of my mid high school years at home, in parks, and in the school office obsessively researching artists, and everything in John Mayer’s discography, and it was also during that time that my love for singing heightened. Music restored my hope in the world. Since moving to Penrith at 15 I’ve definitely been subject to more live music, though I find I’m most inspired when travelling up the mountains, up the coast, or inner city to see bands play. There is some real talent up in the mountains.
3. Do you think we need more people writing about genres of music that don’t get as much attention as others?
100%. I would strongly encourage other writers, and music lovers who are deeply enthused by a specific genre to focus on that as much as possible. Make it your niche, and help bring that style of music into other people’s worlds.
4. From your social media and writing choices, it seems your head is very much in a certain era. How does this affect your attitude towards contemporary music and is it difficult to switch?
I’m an old soul for sure, I can’t help but feel connected to the traditional blues though my love for it has only ever served me right. It’s given me good perspective. Whenever I review a new record, or listen to a new band I can see quite clearly whether their sound is original, where they get their influences from, etc. It does tend to make me critique more harshly, because there are so many mediocre musicians who aren’t doing anything original, and in that case, I’d rather listen to the greats. Though when I hear upcoming artists like Marcus King, or The Teskey Brothers drawing from the greats and then giving us something completely of their own it makes the discovery of their music even greater.
To me a good contemporary artist is someone who has their roots in the the traditional stuff, yet is pushing the limits and serving up something unique, and exciting.
5. You have such an in-depth knowledge of the blues and are a musician yourself, how does contemporary blues measure up?
There are stack loads of mind altering blues artists in the world currently, the genre just doesn’t get the mainstream recognition that it used to, so it’s a little less obvious that some of the greatest musicians the blues has ever seen are of the past two generations. People like Derek Trucks, Susan Tedeschi, Joe Bonamassa, Beth Hart, Eric Gales, Chris Stapleton, and Marcus King, etc. could have easily rivalled the best of the best in their time, and there are plenty more players lurking around waiting to be discovered. The blues is alive and well, more Gen Y’s just need to open their minds to it, something I think players like John Mayer and Gary Clark Jr are really helping with.
6. Where are your sights set for the next few years? Where would you like your voice to be?
My main goal for the next few years is to travel around the US, and UK both experiencing and writing about the underground blues talent. Essentially I want to continue freelancing and contributing to Australian publications as well as music publications overseas. I’d love to continue writing for Rhythms magazine, and will hopefully contribute a piece or several to Rolling Stone (The Holy Grail for all music journos, haha).
For more info on Chloe and her writing, head over to her profile.
