CHANCE PEÑA ON PERFORMING LIVE, HIS DESERT ISLAND ALBUMS, AND HIS OWN HOT-OFF-THE-PRESS NEW RECORD, ‘WHEN I CHANGE MY MIND I DON’T MEAN IT’
INTERVIEW | CHANCE PEÑA by Martha Munro
Rising folk-popstar and social media sensation Chance Peña has been in the game for a good few years now, but has really seen stardom before him with his brand new, emotive album When I Change My Mind I Don’t Mean It, released 29th August and already beloved by new and old fans alike. Despite being busy supporting The Lumineers on their world tour (as you do), he took the time to answer a few of our burning questions about his music, his creative journey, and much more…
Talk to me about this hot-off-the-press album, When I Change My Mind I Don’t Mean It – what were the big ideas behind this project?
The big ideas… really just giving myself permission to grow, I guess; being okay with learning and adapting the ‘plan’ for life as things change, and rolling with the punches so to speak. No one’s got it all figured out and that’s the beauty of life. We get to figure it out as we go, and do it with the people we love.
How is this record different from your last? Do you think much has changed since then?
It just feels different, more intentional. This album started at the beginning of this year, and each song and the way it was recorded had purpose. I wanted it to feel cohesive in its incohesiveness. I think my taste has definitely changed since the last album, and it’s already changed since completing this one. That’s the fun of making music sometimes. Once a project is done you move on and get to chase whatever inspires you next.
You released your latest single from the album, Collapse, only a few weeks ago. Why was this the last song you wanted your fans to have before the big album release day?
Honestly all the singles I just thought were cool songs. I wouldn’t say there was some big reason behind which ones were singles and which ones weren’t. I think next time I’m gonna be a little more artistically indulgent when it comes to single choices.
You’ve been releasing music for a few years now, but what were you doing before that? When did you decide that becoming an artist was the path for you?
Before I started releasing music I was just making it in my bedroom. I started doing this when I was 13, playing gigs and stuff, so it’s the only job I ever had. Best job I ever had too.
The rest of this year looks pretty busy for you, with your support slot on The Lumineers’ world tour as well as your own headline shows in Australia. Are you looking forward to performing these new songs live?
One thousand percent. That’s one of the best parts of it – you spend so much time making these songs and then you get to go and share them. The music is for the world, not just ourselves as artists. At least that’s part of how I look at it. I like to say that music is a remedy for reality, so if a song helps me or makes me feel something I think it’ll do that for others too.
Is there anything about you that you think would surprise your fans? Hobbies, interests, fun facts…
I don’t know, I’m a pretty normal person outside of music. I like film photography, been getting into yoga this year, love hiking and being outside. One day I’m gonna start a cool hobby that makes people go “Wow, that’s crazy… he skydives every day!?”
You can only listen to 3 albums for the rest of your life. What are you picking?
- The Weatherman by Gregory Alan Isakov
- Cleopatra by The Lumineers
- Live At The Banks House by United Pursuit Band
