(Port Colborne, ON) – Since the release of her self-titled EP in 2014, Canadian country singer Chelsea Crites has been keeping very busy. Signed to Shoreline Records, the 21 year-old recently released her latest single, What Goes Around, back in February – the follow-up to 4 Wheel Drive and Doing To Me. If playing shows and doing radio and magazine promotions isn’t enough, Crites has added acting into the mix with a recent commercial shoot for OnStar.
Crites is currently in the process of working on a new album. Music Life Magazine caught up with Chelsea Crites to learn more about this rising country star, her music and her life.
JOEL – Thank you for taking the time for this interview. It’s a pleasure to meet you. I would like to start out by getting to know you a bit more. You’re from Port Colborne, Ontario. Do you still live there?
CHELSEA – Thanks so much for featuring me. It is a pleasure! I am from Port Colborne, Ontario but was born in St. Catharines, (Ontario)!
JOEL – When did you get into music?
CHELSEA – I started singing and performing ever since I can remember but really got serious about it when I was about 7 years old and entered local singing competitions and talent shows receiving great reviews from my audience. I was hooked and I haven’t looked back since!
JOEL – Do you come from a musical background? Is anyone else in your family in the music business in any capacity?
CHELSEA – In my immediate family I am the ONLY musician, my mom sang when she was very young but never did it as a career. But in my extended family down the line I do have many musical and talented family members who sing and can play many instruments!
JOEL – Who are some of your influences? Who do you listen to and look up to?
CHELSEA – I have many influences. My top influences are Carrie Underwood and Miranda Lambert – I remember watching Carrie when she was on American Idol and 
instantly becoming a fan. She just had the IT factor and I really looked up to her! She made me want to be a better musician and as for Miranda Lambert, I just love her personality and what she stands for. It’s nice to have an empowering woman in country music like her and Carrie . I’ve honestly taken all my influences from different genres along with incorporating “Old” Country feel in my original material such as Loretta Lynn and Pasty Cline – some of the greats!
JOEL – Your first release was a self-titled EP released in 2014 on Shoreline Records with the singles 4 Wheel Drive, Doing To Me and the recently released What Goes Around, released on February 2, 2015. Where was the album recorded and who produced it?
CHELSEA – Yes! One of the most exciting times in my whole musical career. I recorded in Nashville, TN. It was so amazing to see the product finished that I had been working on for so long. My producer, Beau Fuller, for my first album and engineer John Willis (John also played guitar on the album. He plays for Kenny Chesney and has been on many recordings with Shania Twain, Luke Bryan, Alabama (and) LeAnn Rimes – to just name a few) really helped bring my vision to life after they put their spin on it. I was fortunate enough to bring it back to Canada and have Mike Koikos, who has worked with many stars such as Keisha Chante, Fefe Dobson and MANY others, put his flavour on it with production. As well, I had been using the quote “Quality has no important time ” in my whole process. I wanted it to be the best it could and something ALL my fans could relate to and I really think I achieved that. There is something for everyone on the album along with it telling a story of events in my life throughout the whole album. It all flows together and that’s exactly what I wanted – my album to tell a story from start to finish.
JOEL – Did you ever think you would do as well as you have so far?
CHELSEA – Never in a million years did I think I would be achieving the milestones I have so far. I always had a very BIG dream and never closed any doors. I always told myself anything was possible but if you had told me I would have worked with the amazing Canadian and American acts I have so far or performed on the stages I have or even to release my original music the way I did and have the response I have had over the years I would have NEVER believed you. I am truly blessed!
JOEL – You write your own songs. How many of your songs were on your EP?
CHELSEA – Yes I do I love to write especially melodies – I have one of my complete originals on my EP it was one of my favourite songs I have ever written, as it was so personal it is a song that just makes you reminisce of the good times and having positive thoughts. That is is something I feel very strongly about. You always get positive results when you are positive about a situation! I do have five others songs on the EP that I love just as much I got to have the privilege of having songs by some amazing Nashville and Canadian songwriters on my album!
JOEL – You do a lot of writing, do you collaborate a lot with other writers?
CHELSEA – Yes I do! I have tons of songs written and put away in a bunch of notebooks along with many demos that are ready to be brought to life. I write in all genres I have written pop songs, R&B and even Jazz songs just to name a few. Not only do I get joy out of writing for myself but I have worked with other rising artist writing songs for them. For my personal music I have collaborated with a bunch of fantastic artists and songwriters. It’s a great personal experience to write with different people, you get to add a little bit of everyone’s flavour in a song and create a project that suits you perfectly with having everyone’s experiences and ideas into the mix which makes it personal to everyone involved!
JOEL – I see you did some writing with John Ellison. How did you hook up with him? Did you know about his background and being the writer of the third most recorded song in music history with the song Some Kind of Wonderful?
CHELSEA – I was very young about 17 years old. John had heard my voice for the first time in a TouTube video but he had heard about me from other musicians I had worked with in the business when I was very young. I did know about his background! I was instantly a fan. I had heard the song ever since I could remember and knowing he was the brain behind it was so cool! It was a very casual process, John came to my house and we worked on a few songs together just jamming out and getting a feel for each other!
JOEL – Are any of your songs with Ellison going to end up on your next album?
CHELSEA – Not this time! Some of the music I had created with John were in a different genre but I will always have them and the experience working with him was truly a memory!
JOEL – And speaking of your next album when can we expect it and what can you tell me about it?
CHELSEA – I am in the process of working on it right now. I have written many songs for it and have been sent and pitched many songs for my next album. I will always go
by my quote that “Quality has no important time”. I take pride in my songs and I want it to be the BEST it can be for the listeners so the next weeks are going to be a lot of listening, meetings and deliberating on what songs will be the best. There is not a set-in-stone date at this time but we do have ideas in mind and I can’t wait to keep all my fans updated and in the loop! What I can tell you is the listeners can expect a uniqueness to the album but still sticking to my Country / Pop feel. I can definitely release that this album has been based on a lot of personal experiences and lessons I have learned along with many memories for my inspiration as the process is standing right now for the new music it is something that means the world to me and I hope that all my fans feel the same way there are three words I can release for the album and that is the audience can expect it to be Edgy, Catchy and Relatable.
JOEL – Who are you going to work with for the new album? What are you plans for the new album as far as touring?
CHELSEA – I am working with a boat load of people right now who are behind this project along with my record label, Shoreline Records, who are making all this magic possible. I have been lucky enough to be placed in the presence of some of the most amazing musicians, songwriters and the people behind the scenes such as my radio promoter, my multimedia person, A&R, my manger and many more. As for touring for the new album, we have a bunch of amazing things planned such as touring Canada and even the USA. I can’t wait to announce all my tour dates!
JOEL – If you could tour with anyone, who would it be?
CHELSEA – Gosh! That is a hard question! I would love to tour with so many people I look up to. I think saying Carrie Underwood and Miranda Lambert would be a given but I would love to also tour with Luke Bryan, Randy Houser or Cole Swindell!
JOEL – Outside of music, what does Chelsea Crites like to do? Or does music take up most of your time?
CHELSEA – Music definitely does take up a lot of my time between my live performances, radio and TV interviews and magazines along with all the daily meetings and conferences calls I end up scheduling through out the weeks. Now adding acting into the mix makes me even busier! I recently just shot a commercial for Onstar and their brand new wifi system which I am so excited about! But when I do get some time to myself I love to spend it with family just relaxing and going out for lunch or dinner or even having movie nights. I also love to work out and shop! I think everyone at the airport knows me as the girl who carries an extra suitcase just for my shoes. I always say you can’t be too prepared especially in this business. I seem to set myself up for every possibly situation!
JOEL – Is there anything else you would like to add or plug?
CHELSEA – I would love for everyone to take a listen to my music and become a fan if they are not already! Make sure to follow me on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram where you can get an inside look on my musical journey and the cool and fun things that happen while I am on the road!
JOEL – Thank you for your time! Looking forward to hearing more from you and spreading your name and music worldwide! Best of luck to you Chelsea!
CHELSEA – Thank you so much for featuring me. It was an honour!
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Connect with Chelsea Crites online: (Website) (Facebook) (Twitter) (Instagram)
