Following the release of our ‘Ones To Watch’ list for 2021, ‘In The Spotlight’ offers the chance to get to know our picks more intimately and find out why we fell in love with them.

You’ve heard about the artists that we’re most excited for this year. Now, get ready to hear from the artists themselves as we shine a spotlight on their personality, the year just past, and their most anticipated musical artists. This week, we catch up with Chloe Moriondo – THE one to watch in 2021.

The Detroit native singer-songwriter has been making waves ever since she started posting videos on YouTube in 2014. Touching upon mental health struggles, overwhelming infatuation, and youthful hopes and dreams, her music radiates with poignant honesty and tenderness that truly hits home. Amidst dreamy guitar tones, imaginative melodies and breezy production, Moriondo invites listeners to a vibrant world tinged with hopeless romanticising and teenage doubts. Her most recent releases, GIRL ON TV and I Want To Be With You, effortlessly cement her own brand of off-kilter bedroom pop, speckled with indie and low-key pop-punk sensibilities. Sonically irresistible and lyrically intimate, Moriondo’s work is a confessional and therapeutic journey, beautifully chronicling the coming-of-age moments that we wish we could relive again. At age eighteen, she has built a devoted fanbase of millions across all social platforms, laying bare her inner thoughts and feelings to create a genuine connection with anyone who needs it. As she’s gearing up to take over the world completely, now’s the perfect time to hear about what she’s been up to, and what the future holds.

What’s integral to the work of an artist?

I think what’s most important is creative freedom and the ability to have a space for yourself to create whatever you want to create by yourself.

Are there any behind the scenes stories of recording your latest singles (GIRL ON TV, I Want To Be With You) that you can share with us?

IWTBWY was literally like, my second co-write ever in LA and it happened right before lockdown was a real thing and the rest of my senior year was declared online. I was so fucking nervous to be working with random dudes I hadn’t met before but the producer David Pramik was so cool and I still love remotely making stuff with him now. Seeing his doggy helped ease some of my First Time Making Music With Another Person anxiety too.

How would you describe the project to someone at a dinner party that’s never heard of you?

This is a hard one but I would probably say I’m just making cathartic girl music that could also be classified as maybe like… ghost pop/ghost rock.. I’m aiming a little for ghost emo too……..

What advice would you give to your pre-lockdown self?

I would probably tell me to take care of myself better and also enjoy live shows a lot more. I felt like I was already enjoying them the most I possibly could but maybe future me with a mask and a pink mullet would convince little me to rock out a little harder.

How would you sum up your 2020 in one sentence?

2020 was an emotional rollercoaster but helped me learn more about myself and the world.

Name one thing you can’t imagine your life without.

Music!! That’s cliché though, so if you want another answer I will say my best friends Victoria, Samantha, and Aiden.

What is the most useless talent you have?

It’s not really a talent but it’s the best I can think of – my throat makes these weird little noises instead of burps and it sounds like a tiny frog is trapped in there. I can feel it coming and announce that my little frog has something to say.

What are your hopes and dreams for 2021?

I hope I get to practice with my band more and that maybe I can even play on stage with them!! I just wanna keep playing music.

Which artists excite you the most this year?

Hayley Williams, Sir Chloe, and Meet Me @ The Altar!!

And finally, what does your music say about you?

I think it says that I am a slightly erratic teenager who likes girls!!!