All Of It – Chicocurlyhead Listening Party

Podcast: All Of It (WNYC)
Episode Date: July 11, 2024
Host: Kusha Navadar (in for Alison Stewart)
Guest: Chico Curly Head

Episode Overview

The episode spotlights Atlanta-based, Panamanian singer-songwriter Chico Curly Head. Through a lively in-studio interview and curated listening party, host Kusha Navadar explores Chico’s musical evolution—from his Panamanian roots and early soccer aspirations to his new EP Never Ending Road Trip. The conversation delves into bilingual artistry, personal storytelling, musical process, collaboration, and the artist's perspective as both a creator and a father.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Cultural Roots and Immigration ([03:26]–[05:32])

• Panamanian Upbringing & U.S. Move:
  Chico was born in Panama and relocated to Atlanta, Georgia, at age 10, fulfilling his mother’s dream for a better life in the U.S.

  “My mom’s dream was always to live in America, first of all. And then the second thing was she always wanted a better lifestyle for me and my brother. So… she convinced me that it was only going to be like three months. And then, yeah, three months turned into five years and then six years and on and on.” (Chico Curly Head, 04:42)

• First Impressions of Atlanta:
  Struck by the cold weather; lost his jacket at the airport immediately.

  “I was like, this place is cold… that was the first mistake, losing my jacket at the airport.” (Chico, 05:10–05:27)

2. Soccer Dreams and the Pivot to Music ([05:33]–[10:46])

• Soccer Identity:
  Chico played varsity soccer in high school, primarily as a defender and midfielder, and maintained this discipline even as he transitioned to music.

  “For me, it’s like a routine, and it’s like a sign of discipline… it’s a habit, honestly.” (Chico, 06:25)

• How Music Happened “By Accident”:
  First exposure to music creation through a friend’s invite sparked a new passion.

  “A friend of mine named Joshua invited me to his house... Next thing you know, I’m over there, an hour passes by, and they’re like, 'Hey, do you want to try to make a song?'... On the spot, I made a SoundCloud… By the next day, that song had a thousand streams.” (Chico, 06:54–07:58)

• Initial Success Sparked Commitment:
  Early popularity on SoundCloud encouraged him to continue, but he admits he may not have persisted without the immediate response.

  “Let’s say… you had seen… one or nobody saw it. Do you think you still would have wanted to keep going in music?”
  “Probably not… it’s very hard to leave something that you’ve done your whole life just for something that you’re experimenting in…” (Kusha & Chico, 09:38–09:51)

• Choosing Music Over Soccer:
  Chico waited until the last possible day before telling his coach he would pursue music over existing athletic scholarships.

  “He asked me, he’s like, 'Are you positive? Are you sure?' And I was like, 'I’m not 100% sure, but this is what my mind, my heart is telling me right now. So that’s what I’m gonna do.'” (Chico, 10:35)

3. Artistic Identity and Bilingual Creativity ([11:18]–[14:53])

• EP Inspiration:
  The new EP Never Ending Road Trip draws upon a cycle of indelible experiences and memories.

  “These are things that I’ll never forget and… it’ll always be with me. That’s why it’s called a Never Ending Road Trip, because it kind of feels like a cycle that just repeats itself…” (Chico, 11:18)

• Songwriting as Emotional Expression:
  Struggles with emotional openness led to songs like “Many Nights.”

  “I suck at expressing my feelings. So… this was like the song that I was like, yeah, you still have some work to do… so this song was basically that. It was like a recognition of that.” (Chico, 11:54)

• On Switching Seamlessly Between Spanish and English:
  Chico credits his lifestyle and upbringing, with Spanish at home and English at school, for his dual-language artistry.

  “Spanish being my first language and then English being my second language. It’s something that I never thought I could even do… I always give the example. Like, I remember when I would think in Spanish, and now I don’t think in Spanish.” (Chico, 13:13–14:13)

• Representation and Bicultural Identity:

  “I want to be that voice for that teenager… who doesn’t just feel connected to just one culture, but to another culture. And that’s what I represent with my music, honestly.” (Chico, 14:53)

4. Personal Life & Influence on Music ([15:01]–[16:22])

• Themes of Love and Relationships:
  His songs often cover universal themes of romance and heartbreak in ways listeners can relate to.

  “I just speak from the heart. I speak from my experiences, and I speak in a way that I feel like it can connect with anybody…” (Chico, 15:01)

• Parenthood and Artistic Choices:
  Chico’s four-year-old son played an active role in shaping the EP, particularly in the inclusion of “Keep It Pushing.”

  “He actually picked a song out for this EP… he loved it so much. He would ask me to play it all the time… And that turned out to be one of my favorite songs…” (Chico, 15:42)

5. Creative Process & Collaboration ([16:22]–[19:54])

• Song Inspiration and Storytelling:
  Songs like “Copa Divino” were inspired by Panamanian rhythms and continued his journey toward self-expression.

  “The rhythm in Panama is very Afro… very reggae. And this song… was, again, expressing myself to that person the proper way that I need to express myself.” (Chico, 16:22)

• Producer Collaboration:
  Working with producer/engineer Rafa Alvarez provided not only technical expertise but safe, expressive space to create.

  “What was key to this whole project was the genuine conversations that we were having in the studio… He made it very easy for me to express myself in the studio.” (Chico, 18:03)

• Process Habits:
  Usually starts with melodies/humming, sometimes with lyrics. Environments that feel genuine and comfortable are most productive.

  “Everything else… I start with melodies and hummings and kind of try to get a feel, a vibe of, like, the beat… then from there… I piece it together.” (Chico, 19:31)

6. Advice and Musings on Success ([19:54]–[20:54])

• On What Matters Most:
  Chico emphasizes the importance of character over fame.

  “The only thing that really, really matters is how good of a person you are to people. That’s what really matters at the end. Forget fame, forget the attention… If you’re a great person and you have great things going on for yourself, that’s even better.” (Chico, 20:03)

• Roots in Humility and Relationships:
  Lessons in kindness and character he credits to both sports and musical journeys.

7. Legacy and Motivation ([20:54]–[21:49])

• On the Inspirational, Upbeat Track “Keep It Pushing”:
  Dedicated to anyone needing encouragement; became a favorite through his son's enthusiasm.

  “This song was to remind myself to always keep going, no matter what. So for you out there that need some inspiration and motivation, this song is for you.” (Chico, 21:10)

• On Supporting His Son’s Future:

  “I would support him in anything he does, but if he makes music, then amazing. I can help him even more. Or soccer.” (Chico, 21:40–21:49)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On making music by accident:

  “I never, ever thought about doing music until a friend… invited me to his house… Next thing you know… I made a SoundCloud… By the next day, that song had a thousand streams.” (Chico, 06:54–07:58)

• On bilingual artistry:

  “I want to be that voice for that teenager… who doesn’t just feel connected to just one culture, but to another culture. And that’s what I represent with my music, honestly.” (Chico, 14:53)

• On enduring motivation:

  “This song was to remind myself to always keep going, no matter what. So for you out there that need some inspiration and motivation, this song is for you.” (Chico, 21:10)

• Advice for others:

  “The only thing that really, really matters is how good of a person you are to people. That’s what really matters at the end.” (Chico, 20:03)

Essential Listening Timestamps & Segments

• [03:23] Introduction to Chico’s music – “Modelo”
• [05:33] Chico discusses soccer background and discipline
• [06:54] Story of first making music, viral SoundCloud debut
• [10:32] Deciding to pursue music over soccer
• [11:18] Meaning behind the EP Never Ending Road Trip
• [11:54] Origin story of the song “Many Nights”
• [13:13] Bilingual songwriting and cultural identity
• [15:42] Influence of fatherhood and son’s input on the EP
• [16:22] Writing and inspiration for “Copa Divino”
• [18:03] Creative collaboration with producer Rafa Alvarez
• [19:31] Songwriting process: lyrics vs. melody
• [20:03] Chico’s advice for aspiring creators
• [21:10] Motivation behind “Keep It Pushing” and its impact
• [21:40] Hopes for his son in soccer or music

Conclusion

This episode provides an engaging, down-to-earth exploration of Chico Curly Head’s multifaceted identity—Panamanian roots, Atlanta life, family, discipline from soccer, and serendipitous leap into music. Through candid storytelling, key tracks from his new EP, and reflections on creativity and character, Chico offers listeners a sense of both his artistry and his humanity.

Recommended for:
Fans of Latin-influenced pop/R&B, immigrant and multicultural stories, up-and-coming artistry, and anyone interested in the realities behind music careers.