Get To Know… Chrissi • Neu • DIY Magazine

Hello and welcome to DIY’s introducing feature, Get To Know… getting you a little bit closer to the buzziest new acts that have been catching our eye as of late, and working out what makes them tick. Recently we’ve met spill tab, Brighton post-punks Public Body, North London newcomer Milo Clare, South London trio Talmont, and now we’re introducing you to fast-rising singer Chrissi. Born in Essex, she first burst onto the scene last year, enchanting with a debut performance at All Points East, as well as supporting BERWYN on tour. Wowing with her infectiously fresh take on R&B, and with lyrics that’ll have you right in the feels, she dropped her debut EP ‘Back In The Day’ late last year, before performing at our Hello 2022 showcase last month in a set we described as “effortlessly likeable and hilarious, with vocals that still pack a punch even when suffering, that unmistakeable je ne sais quoi is out in full force”. Ahead of her performance at DIY Alive Festival in April, we sent her over some qs to find out a lil’ bit more about her.

Describe your music to us in the form of a Tinder bio.

Very flirty. But also hate men. But also very flirty. But also hate men. But also very flirty.
What’s your earliest musical memory?
My earliest musical memory is listening to my grandads tapes while he was trying to sleep lol. A lot of Punjabi music and soca. I was obsessed.
You’re from Essex! What do you think of the music scene there at the moment?
The music scene in Essex is DEAD. It’s all house music from seven years ago.
There was a tiny open mic venue in Romford it was open for like a year back in 2015 but it was my favourite place, after they closed it down there wasn’t really anywhere else to perform in Essex. Would be lovely to have more live venues in Essex as there’s lots of emerging talent.
Are there any other artists breaking through at the same time that you take inspiration from?
Definitely Hope Tala, BERWYN, Tendai and Joy Crookes.
Who would be your dream collaborator?
My dream collaboration is probably Loyle Carner or Harry Styles.
Musically or otherwise, what are you most looking forward to this year?
Touring for sure! Opening for amazing artists and hopefully my own tour later in the year. And also personally just going to Trinidad. I’ve never been and I want to just lay on the beach with a cocktail in my hand.
If people could take away one thing from your music, what would it be?
I’d like people to listen to my music and feel like vulnerability is normal. I really wanna normalise being embarrassingly vulnerable. Being completely human and open.

Tags: Chrissi, Features, Interviews, Neu, Get to Know