Podcast Summary: ALL OF IT with Alison Stewart – Episode: Chloe the God Performs Live
Podcast Information:
- Title: All Of It
- Host: Alison Stewart
- Producer: WNYC
- Episode Title: Chloe the God Performs Live
- Release Date: June 24, 2025
- Description: ALL OF IT is a show about culture and its consumers, aiming to engage thinkers, doers, makers, and creators in discussions about the what and why of their work.
Introduction to Chloe the God and Her Musical Journey
[00:00] Alison Stewart opens the episode by introducing Chloe the God, highlighting her rising prominence in the music scene with her anticipated sophomore EP, I Feel Different Every Day. Alison references Chloe’s previous 2023 release, Nearly Straight, praising its heartfelt authenticity as noted by Complex magazine.
Quote:
“[Nearly Straight] uncompromisingly put her heart on her sleeve.” — Alison Stewart [00:00]
Origin and Meaning Behind "I Feel Different Every Day"
Alison delves into the inspiration behind the EP's title, prompting Chloe to share the story.
[01:01] Chloe the God recounts a pivotal conversation with her friend Mike Irish:
“When I was hanging out with my good friend Mike Irish, we were just having our long talks… I said, ‘I feel different every day.’ And he said, ‘Write that down.’ And so we did… and now we're here.” [01:01]
This moment of spontaneous creativity underscores Chloe’s commitment to capturing authentic emotions in her music.
[01:37] Alison Stewart reflects on the significance of "write it down," emphasizing the importance of preserving fleeting thoughts and inspirations.
Balancing Emotion and Songwriting
Alison explores the delicate balance Chloe maintains between her emotional experiences and the technical aspects of songwriting.
[01:50] Alison Stewart asks:
“With this project… how do you balance the emotional part of you and then the… I gotta write the song.” [01:50]
[02:07] Chloe the God responds:
“They coexist. My job really is just to communicate it clearly as I feel it… I just feel called to be really honest.” [02:07]
Chloe emphasizes honesty and emotional clarity as the foundation of her creative process, allowing her emotions to naturally inform her songwriting without the pressure of perfection.
Performance of "Camille" from Nearly Straight
Chloe the God performs “Camille,” providing listeners with an intimate glimpse into her musical repertoire.
[02:50] Alison Stewart introduces the song:
“The opening track from Nearly Straight… called Camille. The chorus goes, ‘No one makes me feel quite like Camille.’” [02:50]
[03:00] Chloe the God explains the personal connection to the song:
“Camille is… a wonderful and an inspirational young lady… sometimes you meet a girl like that and you just have to write a song about it.” [03:00]
The performance showcases Chloe’s lyrical storytelling and emotional depth.
Behind the Scenes: Collaborators and Cultural Influences
Post-performance, Alison and Chloe discuss the formation of Chloe’s band and the influence of her cultural background.
[06:04] Chloe the God introduces her band members:
“Calla on the guitar… Ari on bass… Zaria in your jacket… Aisha on drums… And I'm Chloe, the God.” [06:04]
Chloe highlights the importance of collaboration and shared passion within her band, describing the creative synergy that fuels their performances.
[08:13] Alison Stewart inquires about Chloe’s move from North Carolina to California:
“You live in California now? What do you get out of living in California as a musician?” [07:35]
[08:17] Chloe the God responds:
“You get a lot of access to the thing that you need… it’s an ever, ever, ever, never-ending well of resource and support.” [08:17]
Chloe discusses the cultural shock and artistic growth experienced after relocating, emphasizing how California’s vibrant music scene has been instrumental in her development.
Personal Background and Motivation
Alison delves deeper into Chloe’s personal history and the roots of her passion.
[09:10] Alison Stewart comments on Chloe’s evident passion:
“You're really passionate about your music, about life.” [09:10]
[09:16] Chloe the God shares:
“It started from just kind of feeling a little bit lost and a little bit different…and deciding that I actually really don't like that feeling.” [09:16]
Her narrative reflects a journey from self-doubt to embracing joy and fulfillment through music, underscoring the transformative power of creative expression.
The Importance of Passionate Collaborators
Alison and Chloe discuss the significance of working with passionate individuals.
[09:52] Chloe the God states:
“Making music is like a vibration… my goal is to find myself kind of aligned with other people who feel called to speak and like to sing the truth.” [10:03]
Chloe emphasizes the necessity of genuine passion and dedication among collaborators to create deeply moving and authentic music.
Decision to Pursue Music Professionally
Alison explores when Chloe decided to commit to a career in music.
[11:19] Alison Stewart asks:
“When did you decide that you were going to do this for a living?” [11:19]
[11:23] Chloe the God reflects:
“When I was about 15 in high school, I was acting… I didn’t really want to continue to tell somebody else's story… I went ahead and decided, I’m going to try to write some music.” [11:23]
This pivotal decision marked Chloe’s transition from performing in others’ narratives to creating her own, laying the foundation for her artistic path.
Performance of "I Feel Different Every Day"
The episode culminates with Chloe performing the titular track from her latest EP.
[12:28] Claire the God introduces the song:
“It’s called I Feel Different Every Day.” [12:28]
The performance delves into themes of personal struggle, identity, and resilience, encapsulating the EP’s overarching narrative.
Notable Lyrics:
“I’ve always struggled with addictions… Does anybody hear me? Does it even matter? I’ve been drowning…” [14:03]
Chloe’s emotive delivery and introspective lyrics resonate deeply, highlighting her ability to convey complex emotions through music.
Production and Closing Remarks
[16:07] Alison Stewart concludes the episode by acknowledging the production team:
“All of it is produced by Andrea Duncan Mao, Kate Hines, Jordan Loff, Simon Close, El Malik Anderson and Luke Green.” [16:07]
She encourages listeners to subscribe, leave ratings, and engage with the podcast on various platforms, fostering a community around cultural discussions.
Key Takeaways:
- Authenticity in Art: Chloe the God prioritizes honest emotional expression in her music, allowing her personal experiences to shape her artistic output.
- Collaborative Synergy: The importance of partnering with passionate and dedicated collaborators is central to creating impactful music.
- Cultural Influence: Chloe’s move from North Carolina to California significantly influenced her musical journey, providing access to resources and a supportive community.
- Resilience and Growth: Themes of struggle, identity, and resilience are prevalent in Chloe’s work, reflecting her personal growth and commitment to a fulfilling life.
Notable Quotes:
- Chloe the God [02:07]: “I feel called to be really honest. And I feel like that's really the purpose of making music and making it so that I feel fulfilled.”
- Chloe the God [09:16]: “I don't have to live there and I don't deserve to feel that way or deserve to live there… I'm gonna have a joyous, big, luscious, rich life.”
- Chloe the God [10:03]: “Making music is like a vibration… aligned with other people who feel called to speak and like to sing the truth.”
Note: This summary focuses solely on the content-rich segments of the episode, excluding advertisements, intros, and outros to provide a comprehensive overview of the meaningful discussions and performances.