Chance Peña FAULT Magazine Photoshoot and Interview

Friday 22nd September 2023

Chance Peña x FAULT Magazine

Chance Peña, whose latest EP “Lovers to Strangers” has taken the music world by storm stops by for this exclusive photoshoot and interview where we discuss his music, his creative journey and his FAULTs.

FAULT: Your EP “Lovers to Strangers” showcases a blend of rousing and heartbreaking ballads – do you ever feel emotionally fatigued after pouring so much into your songwriting?

Chance Peña :Honestly, I don’t. These songs come from different places of experience and from different times in my life, and they’re usually part of the healing process, so if anything, they emotionally recharge me. The draining part is usually mixing the songs.

You’ve mentioned the theme of relationships in your music, drawing from personal experiences – how does it feel to be so vulnerable in your songwriting?

The root emotion is always from personal experience, at least with the music I’ve released so far, but the story itself is typically something pulled from my imagination. “In My Room” and “Lovers to Strangers” for example, are based in emotional reality, but the narratives themselves are heartfelt tall-tailed vehicles for that emotion.

Your song “In My Room” has achieved incredible success with millions of streams and views. What do you believe contributed to its popularity and widespread recognition on platforms like TikTok and streaming services?

For one, I know how it made me feel when I first recorded the lap steel guitar in it, which is the instrumental that I think every who knows the song recognizes it for it. I used my great grandma’s lap steel. I had no idea how to really play it at the time, but when I recorded that instrumental drop, I could just feel it in my chest. I posted the first 19 seconds of the song, and no one had even heard the lyrics or melodies when it blew up. I think also it was just the right place and right time for that song, I’m beyond thankful for everything that song has accomplished.

Moving from Texas to Los Angeles, how has the change in environment chance your songwriting and the themes explored in your music?

I’d say the biggest change was being surrounded by people who push me to be a better songwriter and work harder, just by being themselves. I’ve made some really great friends out there.

What’s been the hardest creative hurdle you’ve had to overcome?

Not overthinking the art. It’s always a thing I have to remind myself of. Going off of feeling and instinct in the creative process instead of getting in my own way by over analyzing the work.

Looking back on your musical journey, is there anything you would change?

This is gonna sound cliche, but no, there’s nothing, because everything that’s happened until this point has led me to right here. The good, the bad, and the ugly. I’m thankful the lessons I’ve had to learn to be here, and I know there will be many more.

What does the rest of the year look like for you?

So far it looks like finishing this North American tour with David Kushner, finishing the album, and spending time with family. Hopefully getting some sleep too somewhere in between.

What is your FAULT?

My horrendous sleep schedule!