Chase Aden

Cadence had the pleasure to sit and chat with the fabulous Chase Aden, an emerging pop singer-songwriter in Toronto, right before her performance at The Gladstone Hotel this past Thursday night. Dressed in fitted dark denim skinny jeans, a gorgeous crisp and white men’s dress shirt with layers of long beaded necklaces draped around her neck, paired with red heelless heels (say that 3 times fast), she greeted me with a smile and a warm hug.

First impression? This girl is destined for greatness. Chase really comes across as the glamorous girl next door…while maintaining her down to earth, kind and genuine personality. Oh, and just a side note, she is gorgeous with her gorgeous eyes and flawless skin on top of everything else! Besides that, this girl definitely has the voice, looks, and attitude that will help her make it big. Here’s what she had to say before the big show.

So Chase, how did you get your start in the music industry?

I think I was always in the industry, but on a much smaller level. Like singing with your dad on telethons kinda level. When I was in grade school, singing in my hair brush or hairspray bottle was a must when blasting music in my room, which my parents asked me to turn down multiple times. It wasn’t until I was in high school that I knew that this is what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.

Do you write a lot of your own music? If so, what inspires you?

I used to write a lot about my experiences and how I felt, but it was hard for me to be so vulnerable. With this latest record, I put my feelings aside and focused on topics close to my heart. Something I truly believe in that didn’t involve extreme heartbreak. When I sit to write, I focus on what really comes to me. It really depends how I’m feeling, but I also really love co-writing with other writers.

With pop music, sometimes other people seem to take charge—how much input do you have in the final product and how to you ensure you are loyal to your own sound?

I love when ideas are presented at the table. Someone always has something to offer, but it was me who had to give the final go ahead for the songs. I think you need to work with people you trust as well. A good idea is a good idea and can snowball into something great.

“Secret Agent Lover” is the first single from your forthcoming album Heartsick, which will be released next month, how did you decide to release this single first?

I think “Secret Agent Lover” is fun and light. It’s a great way to introduce myself to new listeners, but it was hard to decide which to release first. I love all the songs in different ways.

Tell me about “Heartsick”…What is that song about?

“Heartsick” is about wanting someone physically, and only physically.

Any collaborations we can look forward to on your forthcoming album?

It’s all me on the record, but who knows what the future holds!

What else should we expect from your debut album?

The songs are fun, but there are a couple serious ones. I want people to enjoy this record and share it with their friends.

If you could collaborate with any Canadian artist, who would it be and why?

Okay, well I have a huge soft spot for a lot of Canadian artists such as Celine, Shania, and Michael Buble. But, I would love to collaborate with Alanis. I know she has come a long way since Jagged Little Pill, but I’d love to capture that fire in song with her again.

Who has had the largest influence on you musically and why?

That’s a hard one because in my house, my parents let me listen to whatever I wanted and they also had a huge selection. I’d have to say they influenced me to keep going and work hard…but when I was younger I tried to imitate everything I heard vocally. It was hard, but I think it made my voice unique cause it could sound very pop or very country at times. I never stuck to one genre.

What do you do to prepare for a performance? Tea and honey for your voice? Any rituals for luck?

Before a show, I like to see the people that have come out to see me, but I try to keep the talking to a minimum because it really takes a toll on my voice.

What can we expect from your performance tonight?

High energy, fun, terrible dance moves, and eye contact ha ha ha.

Ok, so now that we have gotten through the serious technical questions at the beginning of an interview I always like to ask the ‘fun and fluffy’ type questions…What is your favourite song of all time?

“Snails” by The Format.

What would I find on your iPod, any guilty pleasures?

Oh, well I have Marina and the Diamonds, Rihanna, The Format, Girl Talk, Glen Hansard, and many lists on Songza.

If you could perform anywhere in the world, where would it be?

I’d love to go to Japan.

If you weren’t a performer, what do you think you would be doing?

I have absolutely no idea. I’d be behind the scenes in the music industry or perhaps a job in PR.

If you could perform on stage with anyone, who would it be?

I think it would be amazing to sing a few tunes with Jason Mraz.

When you are a worldwide superstar, who would be the first celebrity you would make arrangements through your publicist to meet?

Oh my gosh, can I do that? Ha Ha Ha, maybe I’ll keep this to myself.

And with that…we were done. The interview time flew by since it felt like I was meeting an old friend over coffee rather than an up-and-coming superstar. After thanking Chase for speaking with me and parting ways, I found myself even more excited about watching her in action.

Promptly, at 9:30 p.m. that night, Chase took the stage with her live band and opened her nine song set with “Get With You” a mid, yet upbeat tempo song. Her sound slightly reminiscent of the early days of Gwen Stefani with No Doubt on this one, and the crowd clearly loved her.

When she performed “Heartsick”, her newest single and my favourite song of the night, it was smooth mixed with a little bit of country and a pinch of rock n roll. I can tell Chase clearly has many musical influences (as she had earlier mentioned from Celine to angry Alanis), and isn’t pigeonholed into one specific run-of-the- mill pop genre. Chase is pop for the people: If you like country you will love her, if you love pop you will love her, and if you love moving your feet you will love her too.

With each song, the crowd seemed to love her more. Her rendition of “Dominio” by Jessie J was better than the original in my humble opinion, and when she closed with “Secret Agent Lover” she proved that even dance music can find its way back into my heart.

Overall, the crowd was pleased given the uproarious applause she received at the end. I think we all let a little Chase into our hearts. She is small and mighty; fierce and fabulous; chasing her dream (see what I did there?) with a voice that can keep people wanting more. There is only one thing that I personally would love to hear from Chase…a Whitney, Mariah or Adele inspired love ballad on the new album…I am a sucker for those!

After meeting her and watching her live at The Gladstone, the one thing that is obvious is this girl has real talent. Singer-Songwriter, gorgeous voice, and is as down to earth as they come. Who knows, we may very well see her take the stage with Celine in Vegas or see her on a cross country tour with Jason Mraz and we will hold Chase as another one of our cherished Canadian superstars.

Set List

Get With You
All She Wants To Do Is Dance
Spoke Too Soon
Hold On
Pretty Little Thing
Lucky Strike – by Maroon 5
Heartsick
8. Domino – by Jessie J

Secret Agent Lover
Be sure to download Chase Aden’s latest single “Heartsick” on iTunes now and be sure to follow her on Twitter @chaselittlefire. Her new album will be released in February so for more information on release date and where you can check her out visit www.chaseaden.com. - Cadence Magazine

TIMMINS - Recently, I was talking to a friend of mine, Cindy Giguere, who is a member of Matachewan First Nation in North Eastern Ontario. Actually, she is a Wabun Health Community Health Nurse that has worked for many years assisting members of Matachewan First Nation.

I was pleasantly surprised when she told me about her daughter’s success in the music industry.

Her daughter known on stage as Chase Aden has been performing as a singer/songwriter in and around Toronto for a few years. The big news is that she played the famous El Mocambo nightclub in the city recently. Fans, family and friends filled the historic nightclub to see and hear Chase perform.

This is the venue that has hosted world known acts like the Rolling Stones, Marilyn Monroe, U2, Moxy, Elvis Costello, The Ramones, The Rolling Stones, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Tom Cochrane and Red Rider, Blondie, Meat Loaf, Jimi Hendrix, Queens of the Stone Age, Shakin' Natives and LimeBox.

In a recent chat with Chase, I discovered that she has been working tirelessly to pursue her dream in music and she is thrilled that all of her efforts are paying off. She was quick to point out that she considers herself a work in progress and that it will take a lot of dedication and effort to fulfil her dreams.

Chase spoke about the importance of having a strong, loving family environment where she was surrounded by music from the time she was a child. Her dad known as ‘Giger’ who is a musician has always been her mentor and biggest fan.

Too often we hear that there is little support for a young person wanting to pursue the arts as a career but thankfully both Giger and Cindy were there for Chase when she decided she was going to do her best to make her dreams come true as a performer and singer.

Born in Timmins and raised in Iroquois Falls, Chase is like one of those diamonds they are finding in the rugged northern wilderness. Not only is she a talented singer/songwriter and performer, she is also very beautiful and has an inner strength that comes from the northern wilderness experience.

Although she describes her music as pop, Chase draws from an influence pallet that includes the Eagles, Elton John, Abba and the Carpenters just to name a few. Up North, she was part of a cover band that opened for acts like April Wine and Trooper. Although she plays guitar and piano, her main instrument is her voice.

One thing she realized was that it was necessary to make the move to the big city to realize her dream and she left her beloved north to record and perform as part of her struggle to compete in what is sometimes a very dog-eat-dog industry.

She got a lot of experience by performing live and recording. People reacted to her music positively and that gave her the drive to continue. She gives thanks for her producer Doug Romanow for providing guidance and helping her develop as an artist. Chase has also been given strong support by her boyfriend, Jaye, and faithful friends and fans.

It was so exciting to chat with Aden as her enthusiasm is contagious. She is really busy these days recording her album to be released early in 2013 and she is working hard with some of the best in the business to develop the creative for her project which will also feature a video. Right now her goal is to get her songs out there to the public and develop a broader fan base. By the way, she sang the National Anthem at the GM Centre in Oshawa to open for the Oshawa Power in a National Basketball League game on Nov. 15 and will be performing at the Chrysalids Theatre, in Kitchener on Nov. 24.

I take great pride and joy to share the story of this upcoming Northern star with you and I hope you give her lots of support as she moves forward to make her dreams come true.

I am a big fan as her voice really has such a strong and pure quality to it and you can see for yourself by going to her website at www.chaseaden.com where you can also find her twitter and facebook links.

Chase is on her way and hopefully will be coming to a venue around the corner from you in the near future.

Any community would benefit by her positive and open message of hope in song.

— Xavier Kataquapit grew up in Attawapiskat First Nation on the James Bay Coast. Readers are invited to visit his website: www.underthenorthernsky.com. - Timmins Press