SONG OF THE DAY Chelou – Halfway To Nowhere

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The word ‘Chelou’ is a French expression used to describe something that is mysterious, weird and unknown.  With that in mind, nothing could be more apt than a name like this for an artist who originally emerged as something of an enigma.

A couple of years down the line and this London-based artist is a secret no more, for he has attracted a multitude of coverage from the likes of The Wall Street Journal, Clash, i-D, Wonderland, Notion and DIY Magazine.  His music has clocked up over 4.5 million streams across all platforms being supported by the likes Lauren Laverne, Tom Ravenscroft, Annie Mac and Huw Stephens at Radio.

Chelous remains an unsigned act but his success across the airwaves and in the press has also transcended onto the road with his first headline tour this September selling out. Tour support highlights have included Bloc Party, Thurston Moore and All We Are

Chelou’s latest single came about after the singer-songwriter found himself lost in Colombia with nothing but a Dictaphone and a battered acoustic guitar missing two strings.  Torn between pursuing a life’s dream of becoming a surf bum on the Pacific coast, visiting friends and seeking a now lost love he was quite literally Halfway To Nowhere, as the lyrics, ‘I sing for pleasure, I have sung for pain….. I’m still Halfway To Nowhere, I’m still nothing today’ explain.

The selection of demos on this Dictaphone quickly expanded and on his return to Camden Town, the recordings managed to find their way in to the hands of Maya Jane Coles.  After immediately connecting with them she decided she wanted to produce this track, which was later recorded at her home studio.  The result is a glorious and harmonious blend of acoustic and electronic sounds, where the stripped-back beauty of Chelou’s compositions unravel themselves amidst Mayas signature signature spacious production. Listen above.

Check out more of Chelou on my page here