ANGELIC MISSES: COUCOU CHLOE
FULL LOOK by LAURA ANDRASCHKO, JEWELRY by ALIZEE QUITMAN (right)
We sat down with her to chat about dreams, being on tour, and the nature of her practice. She's in Europe now, but possibly in the U.S. very soon so stay tuned!
FULL LOOK by MUGLER (left, bottom right)
COUCOU CHLOE wears HOODIE by BALENCIAGA, PANTS by GIO PEIRO from BISSOUS BISSOUS, SHOES by COPERNI (top right)
Do you ever find yourself having vivid dreams?
Definitely. Sometimes it’s very distinct, like a distorted reality; I can’t stop wondering, “Is this real?” Sometimes it’s crazy and other times it’s so subtle I start to think it’s a memory.
I know exactly what you mean. Speaking of memories, take me back to your first performance now that you're on tour. What do you remember?
That’s a good question. I remember there weren't a lot of people and I felt uncomfortable. Very uncomfortable. It was a long time ago and I was just trying some new things on my laptop at my school. I don’t remember it very well. I mean, it’s a memory so it’s always going to be vaporous. It’s almost as if I dreamt it.
That feeling of waking up and not remembering your dream reminds me of the lyrics to “DRIFT” from your latest album.
I actually started that track ages ago. Well, like a couple years ago. I think it was at the same time I made the song “WIZZ.” They’re similar because they’re both club-driven. “DRIFT” has that same energy and rolling baseline.
COUCOU CHLOE wears T-SHIRT and DRESS by LAURA ANDRASCHKO, and SHOES by ASLAN WORLD
A lot of people label your work as “deconstructed club music.” Would you agree?
I don't know. When I make music, I don’t even really know what it means. It just flows out of me. Maybe people call it deconstructed because it doesn’t follow more classical rules of rhythms or whatever. I never really understood why people try so hard to label it.
It must be a weird experience for you to hear people’s feedback about your music.
That’s definitely true. I’ve heard so many times from people that my music is really dark. In my head it’s just like, “Wait, is this dark?” I’m never going to be able to hear my music the way other people hear it. And that’s cool with me. I like that.
For sure. Artists don’t usually concern themselves with labels or categories. They just create to create.
Right. You know, this is something I have a hard time with. It’s difficult for me to categorize my music into a genre because things are always blending. That’s why I don’t really worry about it. I know that a lot of people care, especially when it comes to booking a show, but I don’t know where I position myself. I try not to think about it so much.
That makes sense. You don’t like to limit yourself.
Exactly.
COUCOU CHLOE wears FULL LOOK by ACNE STUDIOS (left)
T-SHIRT and DRESS by LAURA ANDRASCHKO, SHOES by ASLAN WORLD (bottom right)
Is there a specific artist you looked up to while growing up?
I never really looked up to anybody. I feel inspired by Daniel Johnston. There’s also this band I really like called, “WEEN.” They take me back to when I started my interest in music before I had any technique, really. I felt free, like I could experiment with what I later called music.
How would you describe your style?
That’s a really good question. I don’t like to think so much about what I’m wearing. I just like to be comfortable and have the ability to move freely. Sometimes I get inspired by a specific piece, and just have fun with it. Fashion is instinctive for me.
I like that you called it “instinctive.” Is there something you like to do when you’re feeling stuck? Not about anything in particular, just stuck.
I like to acknowledge whatever I’m feeling without finding a resolution first. It’s really hard to give yourself time to process things but it’s important. I try to be patient.
How do you distract yourself?
Travel. I like to go back home and see my family in France. Sometimes it’s good to give yourself a break by going out with your friends for drinks. I also really like to eat.
What’s your favorite food?
Chinese food. There’s a lot of different types but I just really, really love Chinese food.
JOHAN wears HOODIE by COURREGES, PANTS by PARADIS, JEWELRY by ALIZEE QUITMAN
What’s on your mind right now?
So many things. I’ve been quite busy with the tour lately. I just really want to find the time to make new music soon.
That makes sense. Ok, I know you’re probably sick of this question by now, but where does your name come from?
It’s funny because I never knew that my name was associated with being crazy. In France, you say “Coucou!” like you say hi to someone. When I realized that people thought I was calling myself crazy, I was like, “Oh shit.” I was very cringed out, but yeah, it means hi and my brother made me a musical card once for my birthday and it sang, “Happy Birthday Coucou!” It was really fucking catchy, to be honest. My friends started hearing it and then I became “COUCOU CHLOE.”
I love that. I know you’re in Europe now, but do you think you’ll make it to the U.S. soon?
Oh, absolutely. Two of my favorite shows I ever played were in New York and Los Angeles. I didn’t stay in either city very long, it was sort of in-and-out.
How would you describe New York?
Hectic, but I liked it a lot!
