Exposed Vocals Interviews Brittney Chantele

Brittney Chantele, (born Brittney Aston) is a singer-songwriter, storyteller, poet, and activist.. She inspires to aspire individuals with her music emotionally, mentally, and physically. Brittney describes her style as, “movement music,” meaning, it will get you up and dancing, but will also provoke you to think.

Born in Staten Island, NY, and quickly moving to Pittsburgh, PA where she was raised, Brittney developed an admiration for several styles of music. Some of her foundational artists were Michael Jackson, Aerosmith, Hootie and the Blowfish, Bob Marley and Destiny’s Child to name a few.

Brittney says her current inspiration comes from artists such as Nahko and Medicine for the People, Rising Appalachia, and for an off beat twist, Drake and Kendrick Lamar!

Brittney believes you must follow your words with actions, therefore she currently works in the environmental field with several organizations in and around Pittsburgh, PA.

Keep a look out for her next track, this is going to be interesting

Exposed Vocals: So tell us your story. Where did you grow up? What made you decide to become an artist?

Brittney Chantele: I was born in Staten Island, NY, but grew up in a small borough on the outskirts of Pittsburgh. I went to college at Edinboro University for Criminal Justice and Political Science. After graduation I moved into the city and did the total opposite of “settle down.” The decision to become an artist was merely just a decision to stop letting the idea of others not appreciating what I have to say keep me from creating music. I’ve come to a point where I can now say that it’s okay if not everyone loves my music. As long as I believe in the message that I’m delivering, that’s all that really matters.

Exposed Vocals: How did you come up with that name? What was your inspiration behind it?

Brittney Chantele: “Brittney” is my first name and “Chantele” is my middle name. My inspiration for not using my last name is driven by the want to create a separate image. I don’t want to lead anyone to believe that this is a separate personality, because it’s not. I just want to have a sence of self outside of my day-to-day life.

Exposed Vocals: What do you think about online music sharing? Do you ever give your music away for free? Why?

Brittney Chantele: I think online music sharing is awesome! This is especially true when your mission is to simply get people to think. When it comes to giving my music away for free, I think it’s really not a negative idea if you gain other individual’s thought and feedback on important issues/topics. I’ll definitely give some of my music away for free, the rest will be obtainable for a reasonable price.

Exposed Vocals: Since everyone was a start-up once, can you give any smaller or local bands or artists looking to get gigs and airplay some tips?

Brittney Chantele: I still consider myself a “start-up” so I’m not exactly sure how to give others advice on this subject. Hand in hand, I say just be yourself, speak truly, and the rest will follow.

Exposed Vocals: Where do you usually gather songwriting inspiration? What is your usual songwriting process?

Brittney Chantele: I first started to write my own music in high school when my first ever mp3 player broke on the bus. I listened to music everyday on the way to school and it pained me to not have a beat in my ear. So, I made my own. Recently, the radio in my car broke, and I found myself recording my thoughts, rhymes, and words on my phone. I eventually sat down and wrote the recordings out. I tweaked them slightly, and that is where the majority of my current and upcoming tracks come from.

Exposed Vocals: Do you have a band website? What online platforms do you use to share your music?

Brittney Chantele: I utilize Sound Cloud you can find my page here > https://soundcloud.com/b_chantele

Exposed Vocals: If you were given half a million dollars and a year off, what would you do? How would you spend it?

Brittney Chantele: Half a million dollars is A LOT of money. I’d donate some of this money to non-profit organizations in Pittsburgh then branch out to organizations around the United States and other countries. We have many problems facing our society today, and although money can’t always solves these problems, it may be able to help. I’m more than willing to help.

Exposed Vocals: How do you find ways to promote your music? What works best for you?

Brittney Chantele: I utilize several forms of social media. I’ll post my new track a couple of times and ask others to share it only if they like and/or believe in it.

Exposed Vocals: So, what’s next? Any new upcoming projects that you want to talk about?

Brittney Chantele: Well, I’m currently working on 5 separate songs. One has a more hip-hop feel that you can definitely dance to while another has more of a “sit down and chill” feel. I’m always working on something new, especially when I’m without a radio or device to listen to music.

Exposed Vocals: If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing?

Brittney Chantele: I’m currently working for several environmental organizations and I love it. I love making a difference in my community especially when it comes to improving our city green spaces so more people can enjoy them.

Exposed Vocals: How do you juggle the rest of your responsibilities while trying to stay ahead in your music life?

Brittney Chantele: I’m sure I am not the first to say it’s difficult. I have so much on my plate right now and so much more that I wish to pursue. I consider myself a multipotentialite- a person who has many different interests and creative pursuits in life.

Exposed Vocals: What should fans look forward to in 2016?

Brittney Chantele: I have several unique tracks coming out over the next 1-5 months and I can promise you they will be jams! Stay tuned!

Stay connected to what’s moving.