INTERVIEW: CHINCHILLA on Empowerment, Flytrap and FAULTs

CHINCHILLA is a force of nature in the music industry. With her DIY approach, she has carved out a unique space for herself, championing complete creative control and delivering raw, authentic music that resonates with fans worldwide.

Still riding high on the release of her EP “Flytrap,” at the start of summer, she continues to push boundaries, blending empowerment with vulnerability in her music. We caught up with CHINCHILLA to discuss the inspiration behind her latest tracks, the challenges of maintaining creative independence, and what’s next on her musical journey.

Can you describe the inspiration that led you to write ‘Cut You Off’ and ‘1:5’?

Chinchilla: I wrote ‘Cut You Off’ when I realized that in life, there are certain people who do not deserve your time. I’m obsessed with the difference between the vibe of the verse and chorus—it mirrored the chaos created in my brain in that situation.

‘1:5’ is about the feeling of imbalance in a relationship. It’s the most personal thing I’ve ever put out, and it really is my whole heart. The first lyric, ‘I wish that I could say I can only deal with so much rejection, but that implies I’m gonna leave, and I’m too weak,’ is taken straight out of a journal entry I wrote in my notes.

What do you hope listeners take away from the song in terms of emotional healing and empowerment?

Chinchilla: I always hope people find healing and empowerment in my music in some way—like either a hug or a liberation scream. ‘1:5’ is more of a hug, and I hope some people can feel understood and validated while listening to it. Less alone, maybe.

How do you balance vulnerability and being so open in your songwriting when so much of releasing music is also being open to critique?

Chinchilla: Yeah, I don’t like that critique part—haters are shit, but I love music and songwriting more than I hate haters… I think. People are entitled to their opinions, but social media has really emphasized it all and made that side of things mad. I guess it’s just a by-product of being an artist now that you have to swallow, isn’t it!

Social media and your community have been large players in your musical journey. Do you take naturally to that side of the music release process?

Chinchilla: I love being so directly connected to the people listening to my music—it allows me to talk to them and give them more. I don’t like how much of my time I have to spend on it all; it’s a lot! But I love my community, so that makes it worth it.

What’s been the most challenging hurdle you’ve had to overcome on your musical journey?

Chinchilla: Splitting with management and label in the same few months—I lost my team and was facing a lot of rejection. Everyone I was having meetings with would tell me what I was doing wrong, or I’d send out a bunch of demos and not get a reply. But it pushed me to go independent and do it all myself—that’s when my life really changed. It was such a mad turnaround when I found that strength in myself. I needed to find that; it’s made me who I am now.

With the runaway success of ‘Little Girl Gone,’ do you ever find yourself chasing its renown with your later releases?

Chinchilla: Yes. Haha… the follow-up to a viral moment is a nerve-wracking one, and actually, every follow-up after that is! But I just keep doing what I’m doing and keep following my gut. The moment I start second-guessing myself for the sake of strategy is when it would all go to shit! I try not to chase virality.

What’s one message you hope people come away from your music with?

Chinchilla: I hope people feel empowered and free when they listen to it.

Tell us about your new EP, Flytrap.

Chinchilla: ‘Flytrap’ is THE BESSSSST THING I’ve ever put out. I’m so, so proud of it. It’s the mark of me backing myself and choosing independence as a mindset. The first single I put out from it, ‘Little Girl Gone,’ is the one that really changed my life—and it’s the first song I ever put out with no team around me at all! I planned everything before I released that and slowly released the rest of the singles and music videos from the EP. Now it’s out, and I love it so much. It’s me all over. ‘Flytrap’ is the idea of control and possession. People often see someone free and flying and want to shrink them, contain them, possess them. I really believe in seeing someone flying and just smiling, admiring. Letting them come and go into a gentle, open hand rather than closing the fist over them.

What is your FAULT (Personal flaw)?

Chinchilla: I overthink quite a lot and can get anxious easily… I think I’m so scared of being controlled that I get defensive easily about that (lol)… I just want to be free, hence ‘Flytrap’!