Home Interview

Exclusive Interview with Rich Chambers

An exclusive interview with Rich Chambers

Upcoming 100: Who are your biggest musical influences?

Rich Chambers: There are so many, it is hard to list, but in an effort to be as efficient as possible, I will give you my five biggest influences: The Beatles, Elvis Presley, Bruce Springsteen, Buddy Holly, Johnny Cash. Hmm… this list is just too small. It also needs BB King, Elvis Costello, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Green Day, Waylon Jennings. Okay, I had better stop or I will just keep on going!

Upcoming 100: What’s the story/inspiration behind your single “It’s Christmas Time (All Over the World) “?

Rich Chambers: I actually wrote it in the middle of the summer after a conversation with a work colleague. My colleague saw me in the hallway one day and asked me if I was going to be forwarding another Christmas song to all the staff again that year. I had been forwarding original and cover Christmas songs to staff for the last couple of Christmases. She told me how much she looked forward to my song every year and how she played my songs throughout the holidays. Well, I was inspired by her and that night I went home and wrote out “It’s Christmas Time (All Over the World)” in about 30 minutes, which is really fast for me. As for the song itself, I was personally inspired to write something that tapped into the childhood innocence that makes Christmas so special regardless of what age one is at. Kids have a way of seeing magic in Christmas, and that is what the song is about—the magic of Christmas!

Upcoming 100: What are your thoughts on the evolution of artists and music today?

Rich Chambers: I believe we are currently sitting at the dawn of a new era in music. Technology, the internet, and the widespread adoption of streaming services have completely decentralized the music industry. It is no longer about having to get that elusive record contract anymore. Record companies still have their place and wield a lot of influence, but not nearly as much as they used to. Now, the average person on a limited budget, can get some pretty darn good recording software and equipment, and with hard work and commitment can release their own music via social media and streaming sites. Essentially, they can send their music out across the globe in ways that were virtually impossible even just ten years ago. It is an exciting time for artists and music!

Upcoming 100: What skills/personal attributes do you think are most important for music artists to possess?

Rich Chambers: Firstly, you need some kind of talent, whether that is being a great musician, a great songwriter, a great promoter, a great engineer, etc. You have to start with talent. From there you need a couple of things. You definitely need to have a thick skin as you are going to hear “sorry, but no” way more times, and I mean waaaaay more times than you are going to hear “yes.” That is something that takes a bit of getting used to, but you have to get used to it, and have to not let it get you down. You also need to be determined and have perseverance. You simply have to keep on going despite any obstacles that might get in your way! And finally, and maybe most importantly, you have to always maintain perspective, which means being as honest with yourself and all that is happening around you as you can. 

Upcoming 100: How important is a music video for an artist to promote a project?

Rich Chambers: I used to think it wasn’t as important as it is cracked up to be, until I made a video and saw what a massive boost it gave to promotion. Oh my, I am not sure if you can release a project without an accompanying video! So yes, I firmly believe that a video is very, very important!!

Upcoming 100: Who’s on your playlist?

Rich Chambers: Oh boy, this could go on forever, so I will just tell you who I have been listening to over the last few days: Joan Jett, Hank Williams, Paul McCartney, Bob Seger, Chicago, BB King, Darlene Love.

Upcoming 100: What is your basic creative/work process?

Rich Chambers: Almost always, a new song will start with a musical idea, riff, chord progression, or melody. Very rarely will I come up with a lyric first and build a song around it, although, it has happened on occasion. But generally, once I have a musical idea that I feel has some potential, I will then literally construct the song around it, often in a very methodical way. It is almost like the initial idea serves as the inspirational foundation and from there I will map out the full construction of the song. Once all the music is done, I will then write the lyrics, which are derived from out of the mood the music inspires within me. I try my best to keep the music and lyrics to be as complementary to each other as possible. Once the song is finally written then it comes time for recording it, which is a whole other beast that I won’t get into here. Once in a while I have complete songs that come to me in a matter of minutes, which is amazing when it happens. But generally speaking, songwriting for me is usually about 5% inspiration and 95% trial and error and hard work.

Upcoming 100: What sets your music apart? What is unique about it?

Rich Chambers: This is a great question and one I sometimes have a hard time explaining properly. In very simple terms, my music is unique because it also isn’t unique. What I mean by this is that my music is very, very familiar to most people. I sonically don’t stray too much from what is already out there, but I stray enough to add my own signature to everything I write and record. The end result is that people find it easy to connect with my music in the same way that they find it easy to slip into an old comfortable pair of shoes. At the same time though, they will find something new in what they initially thought was a very familiar sound.  

Upcoming 100: If you could pass on a nugget of wisdom to an aspiring music artist, what would it be?

Rich Chambers: Keep an open mind!! You can learn from everyone and every situation if you keep your mind open. Accept constructive criticisms gracefully and say to hell with negativity. Stay true to what you believe in and be prepared to work your butt off no matter what! But most of all, throughout it all, stay kind to yourself and others.

Upcoming 100: Where can potential fans find out more about you?

Rich Chambers: https://richchambers.com/
https://www.facebook.com/santasrockinband
https://twitter.com/RichChambers5 
https://www.instagram.com/santasrockinband/

https://richchambers.com/

https://www.facebook.com/santasrockinband
https://twitter.com/RichChambers5 
https://www.instagram.com/santasrockinband/

Newswire

Arrow Created with Sketch. Calendar Created with Sketch. Path Created with Sketch. Shape Created with Sketch. Plus Created with Sketch. minus Created with Sketch.