Aisha Chaouche has revealed her spellbinding new single ‘We Will Love’ is lifted from her forthcoming debut album Safe released on the 15th of June. Chaouche’s effortlessly mellifluous vocals veer from soulful to gut-wrenching and everything in between amidst an enveloping backdrop and piano playing, programmed drums, sub-bass, cello, violin and an obsession with reverb and delay. This haunting concoction stops you in your tracks with its lovelorn meditations, reminiscent elements of the confessionals of Cat Power and the intricate sounds of Bjork yet starkly individual, plunging into your past and coming up for air.
Aisha spent her childhood growing up in Swansea before moving to Bristol where she studied at BIMM music college. Signing to Late Night Tales’ sister label Night Time Stories on the strength of a Soundcloud demo, Chaouche’s debut single ‘I’ll Lose My Head’ was released in May 2017. An exquisite exploration of inner worlds and emotions showing vividly showing off Chaouche’s outstanding vocal talent and multi-layered songwriting talent.
Safe chronicles events that occurred in Aisha’s formative years and the catharsis that occurred through her songwriting.
“The overarching theme of my songs is “healing.” Collectively my songs contribute to a greater understanding of particular issues I found overbearing and traumatising as a child and young adult. Each song is dedicated to a memory or experience that has come from a negative source that’s ultimately been turned into a strength.”
Adopting her surname as her artist name was not an obvious choice for Aisha; “Chaouche” coming from her father, who she had little contact with. A talk with a close friend helped the decision to reappropriate the name for herself.
“I tried to come up with all sorts of artist names other than my own to try and forget him but none of them meant anything. One of my best friends suggested I use the negative emotions and claim it as my artist name, that way it has more meaning than anything I could ever make up.”
Safe was mixed with now live band member Ben Johnson and features updated versions of her singles released to date. Combining vocals, performance on piano and synthesiser with triggered samples and loops; the trio of Aisha, Greg Stoddard and Ben have translated the subtleties of the album to the live stage. Following a series of one-offs and supports, the group are planning more dates in the near future.
Based on what we’ve heard so far, Chaouche is a formidable talent with the ability to stop you dead in your tracks.
Live dates:
Wednesday 16th May: Supporting Carmody @ Crofters Rights, Bristol
Thursday 14th June: Album Launch @ The Old Bookshop, Bristol
Saturday 16th June: Daylight Music @ Union Chapel, London
Sunday 22nd July: Bluedot Festival, Cheshire
