Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Chloe Spinks. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Chloe , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

So you see, people knew me as a gymnast and don’t get me wrong, gymnastics was good the majority of the time I guess while I was doing it but I always had a deeper passion for music, I was so scared to make the change but for that I’d need to quit gymnastics, I was so scared of failing in music, I was scared of judgement and what people would think of me. I’ve been bullied quite a bit so yeah, plus with my seizure disorder- epilepsy, I wasn’t entirely sure if I’d be able to make it as a musician. I was so incredibly shy, I didn’t know how to put myself out there so I actually started off anonymous. I wrote loads of songs by myself, I posted the lyrics online and that was great as no one knew who I was. I was having lunch with my friends one day and I can’t quite remember what we were talking about but I remember it sparked something in me, I immediately texted my parents saying I wanted to quit gymnastics. And that was me quitting…it was a huge risk as I didn’t know if music would pay off?! What if I failed and yeah, made the wrong decision. I even found myself crying at some points during that day when I quit gym. I knew I needed to get Myself out there so you could say I went for it…I went on Facebook, joined loads of music groups on there and I got recommended open mics and how they are a great starting point. One of my best friends was always so supportive of me and they helped me through this process in getting started. Every weren’t a musician themselves but they really were incredible in helping me and being such a good friend in general. It did take them a while to convince me because I was absolutely terrified but we got there. However, the evening I was going to go to my first open mic, I received a text from a close friend giving me the worse news impossible, they had passed away. I remember that moment, it haunted me so much. It still haunts me. I didn’t know how to react and I don’t think it properly hit me but at the same time I was in a state. I later got told my grand dad had spotted the ambulance and so on in the early hours as he had to pass that road. My best friend lived in the road next to me, I wasn’t awake when it happened. The only reason I knew was because my mum told me later on once I had told them the news. No one assumed that was the reason, I mean you wouldn’t even think of it. Would you?
I don’t know how but I ended up going to the open mic an hour after I found out but I wanted to make them proud and I knew if I didn’t start then, I’d probably hide away for good. That was the beginning of my music journey performance wise. There was the risk of me breaking down crying, telling people why and so on. The risk I would regret everything but something inside me was telling me to take that risk. I released a song for them called ‘Forever Eighteen’ and I’ve done so many gigs and open mics now to this day, I achieved full marks at college, I won the award for best grades, and now I’m studying music performance at university on a scholarship?! I’m still only in my first year of university but I’m so glad I took that risk and I know they are there every step of the way, even if I can’t see them. I’ve had some amazing opportunities and I’m so lucky to have had them in my life. The confidence I’ve built up compared to how I used to be is insane too. I’ve done festivals, firework displays, shows, private functions, charity events, competitions, carnivals, showcases and so on. I couldn’t be more grateful.

Chloe , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My name is Chloe and I’m a indie pop singer-songwriter from Suffolk. The way I got into the industry well you see music has always been an escape for me and it’s helped me and my mental health so much, it actually makes me feel like someone can relate to me. It makes me happy and let’s feel my emotions, it inspires me. Just like two of my favourite artists – Taylor Swift and Lizzy McAlpine. I was always scared of trying to make a name for myself, getting out there so often music was forced into the background. I was a gymnast and no one knew me for music. gymnastics got to the point where I was constantly getting frustrated with myself, especially when I wasn’t allowed to train bars properly due to a recent seizure at the time. I decided to quit gymnastics because I was getting more and more upset and I lost my passion. I wanted to do music and by quitting and focusing on a dream of being a musician, I took every opportunity possible. I started to go to open mics, make connections, apply to gigs, write songs, and even record them. I revamped all of my social media even.
I have always struggled with my confidence to be honest but I am proud that I took the risk of going to my first open mic on the night, if I hadn’t gone…I definitely don’t think I’d be where I am today. It was a very tough night and a difficult experience to say the least but I’m proud I went. I’m also very honoured to have met such amazing people at gigs and be at uni on a scholarship studying music performance! I never thought I’d get into uni, I wasn’t very good academically and thought teachers often doubted me at times which probably was true, I wasn’t the brightest student but I always tried my best and if it’s one subject I did well in, it was English. I won the English award in high school, English was one of my favourite subjects, I loved the poetry side of it especially. That’s when I tried writing songs. I done my work experience at a theatre where I picked up a work experience award too. I loved my placement! I also got to perform at a celebrity football match last year for charity and I had the best time ever.

I want to inspire people and show them what they may deem impossible is actually possible. Because once I believed the impossible was impossible until I achieved those goals and made it possible by sticking at it.

How did you build your audience on social media?

So for me I posted content that was related to who I am as a musician and I still do that to this day but I also post behind the scenes and my life as a person. I want to be authentic and honest with my life, so I try to keep it real on socials! The real me. Often you see so many people living the ‘dream life’ on social media and we never see behind the scenes so I wanted to include all parts, to show people real life and the struggles because we all have times in our life that are hard and no matter how good someone’s life may look on social media, it’s often not the same in real life. Social media is like a highlight reel, we only see what the creator wants us to see but for me I want to show the bad as well as the good- the process! I often reflect upon that in my songs too. I’d recommend to stay true to yourself and try not to get caught up in everyone else’s life and don’t compare yourself too, not everything and everyone is how it is made up to be.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

I love being able to put a smile on peoples faces and putting on a good show for them. Writing lyrics which are relatable across multiple topics from different perspectives too also engages people and I love connecting with my audience! It’s like they are all my friends and it’s like I’m giving people a voice through music too, I once struggled to have a voice but then I found it through music and I went to be that voice for others too.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://chloemusic27.wixsite.com/chloe
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chloe.musicofficial?igsh=YnIxeHhwbTBlYXVy&utm_source=qr
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/19eaGitaxi/?mibextid=wwXIfr
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chloe-spinks-0133341b7?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
• Twitter: https://x.com/chloemusic27?s=21&t=Nk8Leb4_0UgAiTO0xbk16A
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@chloe.musicofficial?si=NbHKtEgT2TdSm6nf
• Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/09hzK2jV8YssBgchBhrjma?si=-rsQ1LFATxKBo-jSFnzWrQ

  https://www.tiktok.com/@chloemusicofficial?_t=ZG-8t1C7cRR9sG&_r=1

Image Credits

Photo 1 – Chloe Spinks
Photo 2 – Sophie Debenham
Photo 3 – Chloe Spinks
Photo 4 – Ipswich Borough Council
Photo 5 – Sophie Debenham
Photo 6 – Josie Curtis
Photo 7 – Chloe Spinks
Photo 8 – Chloe Spinks