Claire Chicha is embracing creative freedom like never before. The LA-based, French-Korean songwriter and producer has spent the past five years honing her distinct sound as spill tab, blending raw, low-slung guitar confessionals with the infectious hooks of anthemic pop. “I’m confident following the weird thing to find my voice,” she says. “I’m only ever making music that I’m really passionate and excited about – every song is my favorite.”

Since debuting with the intimate and infectious single “Decompose” in 2019, Chicha has evolved spill tab across three EPs: 2020’s synth-infused Oatmilk, 2021’s playful Bonnie featuring Gus Dapperton and Tommy Genesis, and 2023’s intricately produced Klepto, which weaves from Hiatus Kaiyote-inspired jazz freakouts to driving guitar anthems. Her electrifying live performances have seen her open for Sabrina Carpenter’s North American tour and travel through Australia with alt-rock trio Wallows.

On her debut album ANGIE, Chicha’s freewheeling sound reaches its fullest expression. From the glitchy bass-heavy opener “PINK LEMONADE” to the sultry, grunge-inflected French lyrics of “De Guerre” and the euphoric solos of the title track, ANGIE is a testament to uninhibited creativity. It’s a deeply personal work, shaped by a lifetime of sonic exploration.

Born to a French Algerian composer father and a Korean pianist mother, Chicha grew up immersed in music, spending her early years in the mixing rooms of her parents’ LA post-production studio. After the 2008 recession forced a move to Thailand and later Paris, she absorbed an array of musical influences—from traditional Thai melodies and French chanson to the alternative rock of Paramore and Green Day.

Returning to LA, she refined her stage presence in one of the country’s top show choirs before studying Music Business at NYU, where she developed an appreciation for artists like Moses Sumney and Bon Iver. Interning as an A&R at Atlantic Records, she realized her desire to carve out a unique sonic identity rather than follow industry trends.

After independently releasing early tracks like “Calvaire” and “Cotton Candy,” Chicha signed to a major label, but as her career progressed, the constraints of the corporate machine clashed with her artistic instincts. Feeling the pressure to chase hits, she ultimately parted ways with the label and began crafting ANGIE on her own terms, collaborating with producers like David Marinelli, Solomonophonic, and John DeBold.

The album represents both a sonic rebirth and a farewell to the industry-driven version of herself. “The album is a love letter to that part of me that hated herself and everything she was making,” she says. “Now, I’ve found freedom.” With ANGIE, Claire Chicha cements herself as a fearless innovator, following the music wherever it leads—inviting listeners along for the ride.

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