Q&A: Chloé Sauterau
Can you introduce yourself?
I was born and raised in Geneva, Switzerland, and picked up my first guitar at the age of 8, quickly starting to write songs. A former competitive figure skater, I would say my passion revealed itself in sharing stories and creating an aesthetic of my own. My Brazilian and French origins exposed me to everything from Bossa Nova to chanson française growing up. Mostly self-taught on guitar and piano I’ve been singing for as long as I can remember. Now based in New York, I've played at many venues around the city and I’m inspired by the business of life here. I’m a big foodie, and a passionate event planner as well.
I make music because I think that if you’re feeling something, someone down the street from you is feeling it too – and if I can make even just one person feel a little less alone one day, that’s the most meaningful thing in the world.
Can you describe "Catch My Fall Again" in three words?
longing. hopeful. honest
What were the first and last parts of "Catch My Fall Again" to be written?
I think I really wrote it in order…. first line first and so forth. Then the chorus, then verse two.
What’s your favorite lyric or production element of "Catch My Fall Again"?
Production wise I feel like the backing vocals and the bass really breathe life into it.
Lyric wise probably “what a thing to be in love trying not to be”
and on the sad but playful side “I’m getting tired of chasing cars alone, a little scared that I’m forgetting your cologne."
Did you learn anything new about yourself while creating this song?
Totally… At least in the writing process, I think I was really coming to terms with the way I felt about someone I’d tried to deny I felt anything for before. So this was a particularly cathartic one.
Is there a certain place that you feel the most creative in?
Not really.. I love surprising myself and I think all the little things in life every day inspire me so I like to think that creativity comes from anywhere and can hit at any time. That said, I love sitting on my couch in my apartment here in new york city, look out and just strum.
What was on your playlist as you worked on "Catch My Fall”?
London is Lonely by Holly Humberstone
Chasing Cars
The Scientist by Coldplay
Those songs really capture the essence of the track thematically, and there’s a reason it’s these ones and you can find hints of them in the lyrics, which was really fun to craft together and just kind of worked.
Aside from that I’m on a constant rotation of holly humberstone, del water gap, joni Mitchell, etc.
If you could transport listeners to the perfect location to hear "Catch My Fall" for the first time, what would that place be?
A crackling fireplace, a blanket, sitting on the floor, a bustling city outside, or snow.
If you had to describe your music to someone who couldn’t hear, how would you describe it?
authentic, raw, storytelling forward. unapologetically intimate, with the vocals and guitar as a driving force. blurring the line between reality and what goes on in our heads.
What comes next for you?
More music, a local rooftop tour around NY this summer! And more music :)
I’m playing at Mercury Lounge in New York on April 22nd!