Seattle’s rising star continues to stay true to himself and make music anyone can relate to and enjoy.
Propelled by his signature soulful, raspy vocals and an innate gift for crafting melodies that evoke visceral levels of emotion, Seattle native Chris Sloan is no stranger to the enchanting power of music.
Weaving tales of love, loss, and redemption, Sloan has carved his niche in the music scene with his unwavering dedication to artistry and raw emotion. As his star continues to burn brighter and brighter as he shoots for the top, keep an eye out for this talented rising star as he continues to impress with each release.
Although releases like his emotional 2021 debut “Where Do I Stand” put him on the map, it was on Sloan’s debut EP “Into The Shade” that he indeed showed what he was fully capable of. Coming in at a healthy serving of 12 tracks, “Into The Shade” captured the hearts of listeners everywhere, including the prestigious Recording Academy. Not only was Sloan made an official voting member, but his song “Where Do I Stand” was also placed on the official voting ballot, a true testament to his artistic depth.
The first thing you notice on Sloane’s new release, “Ember in the Wind,” is a slow, winding guitar that immediately creates one of his signature melancholic soundscapes. As expected, his lyrics complement this mood as well. “There’s an aching in my soul,” Sloan sings, setting the stage while simultaneously looking inward to a tired heart. Although it might not be apparent initially, there’s a certain level of deliberateness to every lull, every stressed syllable, and countless other factors. Although only Sloan might see them, “Ember In the Wind” is your sign to trust the process; you’re definitely in good hands.
With each note and every lyric, Chris Sloan’s releases offer a raw and vulnerable glimpse into the heart of one of Seattle’s rising stars, and “Ember in the Wind” is no different. Whenever you’re ready, tap in and stream Chris Sloan’s latest release, “Ember in the Wind,” on all majour streaming platforms.
Welcome to Buzz, Chris Sloan! We loved “Ember In The Wind,” we had to ask! What did you first envision when you were inspired to make this release, and was this final version the same as you were initially thinking back then or different?
Thank you for inviting me to speak with you! When I wrote this song, I specifically wanted to write a more "haunting" type singer-songwriter song. I had this vision in my head of a lonely cowboy with a guitar strapped to his back, wandering through the cold, damp, misty mountains, forever searching for his purpose and long-lost love. It was a vision in my head that just kept coming back to me, so I wrote a song around that actual vision to try to capture what that vision would "sound" like."
What does your creative process typically look like, and what’s your favorite part of that process?
My creative process can change from time to time. However, I usually have some sort of subject matter in mind or emotion I'm dealing with. I then write the chord progression and vocal melody around that subject matter or emotion. After the chord progressions and vocal melodies are ironed out, I sit down and write the lyrics to the song. Once all that is complete, I record a demo from home, complete with guitar, vocal melody, harmonies, and lyrics, to listen back to see where the song is going or needs to go. Then, off to my producer to await his constructive criticism, hahaha. However, sometimes songs just come to me out of nowhere. I pulled over on the way to work in a random parking lot because I heard a vocal melody in my head, so I had to audio record myself singing it so I wouldn't lose the melody. It's crazy how something will just pop into your head at any random moment.
Your upcoming EP “Sunset Road” is slated for release sometime soon, right? Is there anything you’re especially excited to show your fans on this project?
Yes! My "Sunset Road" EP will be available on all streaming platforms on July 1st, 2024. I am so proud of the songs on this EP. I poured my heart, soul, and emotions into these songs as they are heartfelt, honest, and vulnerable. It's a very melancholy, haunting, beautiful record. Stripped back, acoustic, soulful vocals, but with moments of deep dark organ/synth to create a really haunting sound. One of the tracks I'm especially excited about is my own reimagined rendition of Cover Me by Candlebox.
It's a slowed-down, acoustic, haunting version of the original huge rock hit. The track actually features Peter Klett, the lead guitar player from Candlebox. Peter heard my demo of my own rendition and liked it. We communicated privately and ended up recording the song together. He not only tracked electric guitar on the song but also mixed, mastered, and produced the track. So, the fact that the original writer and performer of a radio hit rock song actually tracked, mixed, mastered, and produced a cover of their own famous song is so unique, and Peter and I really hope everyone digs the new rendition.
The song was engineered by Taylor Carroll from Bear Creek Studios in Woodinville, Washington. Taylor actually engineered, mixed, mastered, and produced the other 5 songs on the record. Taylor has worked with the biggest and the best, and we have also recorded around 27 songs together over the last few years. He understands me, knows how I work, and hears what I hear in my head.
It's rare to find a producer/engineer who truly understands you as an artist and understands your musical vision for each song.
What does music mean to you, and what do you want your listeners to feel when they hear your music?
Ah! That is such a big question. Music, to me, is everything. It's intertwined in everything that I do. Whether I'm in the car, at home, at work, with friends, alone, outside, inside, camping, or traveling, there is always music on in my life. It sets my mood. It calms me. It puts me at ease.
It's also why I write my own music, as it is incredibly therapeutic for me to put my current emotions or whatever I am going through or processing into a song. In regards to my listeners, I guess I want them to be able to listen to the songs and connect the feeling of the song and lyrics to their own personal situations or emotions.
No matter the subject or reason why I wrote the song, I want listeners to be able to intertwine the songs into their own lives. That is where music is the most powerful, in my opinion, when you feel as if a song is speaking directly to you.
What’s next for Chris Sloan, and is there anything you’d like to say to your fans?
I am already working on my third record. I know this one hasn't come out yet, but as all musical artists know, it never stops. The second idea or song is done, and another one pops into your head. So, after the July 1st release of Sunset Road, I started recording a giant song I wrote a little while back with a producer on the East Coast, who has won two Grammys.
He is brilliant, and I can't wait to start working with him on that song. And to my fans. I just want fans and listeners to know that as a fully independent artist, I am very thankful and grateful to anyone who listens to my material, shares it, comments on it, etc. I know there is so much music out there and so many options, so for someone to take the time to listen to my art and then share it or continue to listen to it means more than the world to me.
I appreciate anyone who has supported me and my craft, and I think we should all support each other a little more. I appreciate you asking me some questions about the release.
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