Chelsea Locklear is a singer-songwriter from Charlotte, NC. Her goal is to make you feel emotion, relate to her words and establish an understanding through the stories told in her songs. Her music is aimed to create moments and for those moments to become memories. When you listen to her music, you can tell she is having a fun time doing something that comes from her heart. You will enjoy her melodies and get her catchy choruses stuck in your head every time you listen.
 
We got a chance to check in with Chelsea and learn more bout her background, her influences and what she has coming in the near future.

 

First off, thank you for taking the time to chat with us. Tell us a bit about you and what got you interested in a career in music.

Hey, thank you so much for having me be a part of such a talented team! I am Chels, and I am a singer-songwriter from West Palm Beach, FL. I started really doing music down there at the age of 18 (Guitar and singing) and now I pursue it as a living and passion in Charlotte, NC. Poetry has always been a way to express my heart and thoughts since the age of 12. My interest in music has been growing ever since! From poetry to tuba, then drums to guitar and singing! I love it all. Music can change everyone’s mood in a room. It can help someone feel understood, or even heal a heart. I love what I get the honor of creating.

 

Something I have to ask about right away is your beatboxing skills. How did you get into beatboxing? I feel like beatboxing is sort of a lost art, so it always interests me when I hear about artists incorporating it into their sound.

Ha! Okay So I started teaching myself snare drum and kit at about 13 years old. Then while riding in the car I noticed that every shape I would pass made a different sound in my mind. Sounds crazy, right? I just started making the noises I thought of out loud and my friends loved it. Definitely drove my family crazy sometimes, though. It always makes for a fun time at a party.

 

 

How has Charlotte, NC shaped your sound as a musician? Talk about the music scene there.

It’s been an adventure to say the least! It’s been the first place I have played so many different venues as part of my job. There are some hidden musician gems in the Queen City for sure. It’s growing slowly but surely. It’s becoming a welcoming place for talent, and it’s great to be a part. People like George Banda, Dane Page, Lisa Denovo, Ellie Morgan, they are all really pursuing music out here!

 

How would you explain your music in 3 words?

My heart unedited.

 

What has been your favorite song you’ve ever written? Why?

That’s a tough one! I guess it would have to be “Love is Asleep”. It’s about searching for a love I have yet to know or understand. The words are very deep and it has the cadence of a lullaby. My friend Bre Marin recorded it with me all in one take without a professional mic or anything. It turned out incredible. You can check it out spotify and youtube.

 

 

I’ve listened to “Lost In Thought” quite a bit on Spotify, which was released in 2016. Where were you at in your career when you released that and how have you grown musically since the release?

I had just graduated college when I released that album! I had just started playing live gigs so very new to the public eye. But the EP still has done very well! I think musically I was a little simpler then. Now I’m loving throwing in complicated riffs and new sounds. I am much more experimental and unapologetic with my hip hop flare. Also, I’ve been paying bills for longer now, haha, so I guess I’m more of an adult.

 

Who are your top 3 favorite musicians right now?

1. Tori Kelly
2. Leon Bridges
3. Cass

 

I see that you have an album dropping in August 2018, congrats on that! How’s it coming and what are you expecting to achieve with your debut album?

Thank you! I am SO excited for this project to be released. Every single instrument you hear on the new album I played; from drums all the way to trumpet 🙂 Honestly I want this to be the biggest local Charlotte singer/ songwriter show release ever. Selling out of the albums ordered would be incredible. This project is 100% my heart to your ears.

 

 

You’re based in Charlotte, NC – what is a ‘must do’ for someone that is visiting?

Amelie’s French bakery is one of my favorites! Also, you have to either go to the mountains in Boone or Asheville. Gorgeous!

 

Anything else that you want to say?

Thank you for the chance to share! I’m so grateful to be a part of the Songfinch community. Nothing like making people happy and practicing my art at the same time!