Irish singer-songwriter Chris Short prepares to pull at heartstrings with the release of his poignant new single Higher, out now via Beardfire Music.
Lyrically intimate and sonically tender, Higher is instantly bewitching. Channeling the likes of Foy Vance, Chris’ distinctively rich vocal soars effortlessly over the intricate musicality, creating a sound that is undeniably heartwarming as a result. Higher brings us the lift we all needed; a powerfully potent track delivered with the style and swagger of a seasoned writer and performer. Talking about the single, Chris elaborates, “Higher was formed from my reflection back of the first few months of my relationship with my then neighbour, now wife of 10 years, Dawn. As a songwriter I’ve started writing songs about my experience and the lessons I have learned in the hope that when people hear my music they too can experience the emotion contained in the songs.”
In this interview spotlight, I chat with Chris Short about the new music, challenges, technology and more.
Full Q&A along with links and music below.
Let’s dive a little deeper into You, the artist and your music. What attracted you to this genre(s) or style(s)?
I love the sound of the guitar, but I also live a good beat, so my music reflects and combines guitar with some rhythmic drums and beats.
What led you into this journey with music? And further, what drives you to push it out to the public?
I grew up in a house that was full of music. At a very young age I loved listening to classical music, and both my parents were hobbyist musicians. I tried the guitar when I was younger but just didn’t get it. It wasn’t until a breakup in my 20’s that I really got into the guitar and singing, started songwriting, but still very much as a hobby. It wasn’t until my Dad passed away, that I thought we have these plans and sometimes we don’t get to do them, so I though “go for it now”, so I focused on firstly doing a local open mic, then writing and recording an original song, then becoming a Spotify artist, go it really has just grown from there. My music is based on what I have learned or what I have experienced, and in putting it out there it allows people listen and hopefully experience the emotion behind it, and think “Other people feel the same, I’m not alone in this”, and when I’m gone my songs will be my legacy that hopefully live on for generations to come.
Who or what influences your creativity? Have your tastes in music changed over time?
I think really everything influences my creativity, form the people I meet, places I go, and making time to be creative. the world is a very busy place, and everything is competing for our time, I tend not to watch TV, I prefer to noodle away on the guitar coming up with new melodies or chord progressions. I find the smart phone great for capturing those moments when you get something great! Yes, my taste in music has changed over the years, from classical music as a child, to Rave in my teens, I still have an old CD, Rave ’92, to today where it is very much a mixed bag, but really like listening to Foy Vance, a Belfast singer/ songwriter and Youngr.
Were you trying to accomplish anything specific on this new project? Creatively or otherwise?
This new project really is the EP “Somewhere”, and its main function is to show case my music but also to let people understand my style and my stories. The tile of the EP is taken from the saying “You have to start somewhere”, and this is my start, it’s my debut EP and it has taken me three years to form it as a body of work. The songs in the EP are my current single “Higher”, two new singles to be release early next year “Consumed” and “Flint & Steel” and two other EP songs “Somebody” and a remix of my single “Higher”. the EP will really be my initial portfolio as they say. The songs are based on my experiences over the years, songs about love, lost love, lust, and the importance of having or being somebody’s shoulder to lean on when times get tough.
What was the last song you listened to?
Hold on and I just check with Spotify, Foy Vance, She Burns
Which do you prefer? Vinyl? CDs? MP3s?
Vinyl was a big part of my growing up, but now a days I tend to use digital in the form of Spotify, just for its ease of use, I’m indifferent to CDs, but Vinyl stirs up emotions in me, it’s like unwrapping a beautiful gift that can be given again and again, it is very much a collector’s item.
How about this one…. Do you prefer Spotify? Apple Music? Bandcamp? Or something else? Why?
As a user I really like Spotify, as an artist the returns for streams is shocking, there should be a minimum return set for streams that return a reasonable percentage of the revenue to the artists.
Other than the digital era overwhelming us with access to an abundance of music, what is the biggest challenge you face when trying to connect with or find new fans?
A major challenge I find is generating and maintaining a fanbase, I mean real fans that will buy your merch, go to gigs, buy your music. As you said there is so much music out there its very easy to get lost, you need to be able to stand out and carve your niche.
Where is the best place to connect with you online? Discover more music?
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CShortMusic
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chris_short_music
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/CShortMusic
Soundcloud: https://www.soundcloud.com/chris-short-music
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6svTfVlhFYdy1QEuGUFX0T?si=pfpBydLOSNC3BHT7shn9DQ
ITunes: https://music.apple.com/us/album/higher-single/1539293132
Anything else you’d like to add before signing off?
Just to say thanks, and to ask your readers to pop over to Spotify and check out my new song “Higher”, if you’d like to be notified when new music is released give me a follow and I’ll keep you up to date.
