Q&A: Chris Bates

Auckland-based rising pop singer Chris Bates has the glossiest vocals, so there’s no surprise why he’s currently on the Hot 20 NZ Singles Charts. Plus, he’s just dropped his debut EP “they don’t know a thing about me” so we’d thought this would be the perfect opportunity to get to know him a bit better and ask him a few questions. 😏

We chat to him about his single “Hold Me” with Sam V, who his dream collab is, the biggest lessons he’s learnt in his career so far, and more!

We’d love to know a little bit about your musical journey so far from when you first started singing?

I actually first started playing the violin when I was a kid because my friend was in the school orchestra and did too. A few years later when I was around 13 I dropped it (sorry mum) and taught myself the guitar and started singing and writing very average songs. I kept writing and started performing with the goal of getting better, and I like to think I’ve progressed a little bit!

We’ve got your new pop/RnB single “Hold Me” with Sam V on repeat - it’s such a tune, fully giving us Charlie Puth vibes! What inspired the concept of this track?

Super cool to hear, thank you! It was a fun one to make. At the time I’d written a few slower songs in a row and I remember hanging with EDY and Sam V and thinking we should make something kinda funky and upbeat. We were totally jamming heaps of Charlie Puth so that was def an inspiration. We wanted to make a fun, not too serious kinda vibe and I reckon it worked out!

So exciting that you’ve dropped your debut EP “they don’t know a thing about me”! Tell us all about it!

Thank you! It’s a 5 song compilation of songs I’ve released this year, plus a new song called “Used to This”. I’m really happy with how it came together. I made it all with my producer/pal EDY and it’s def a precursor to more music coming out soon after. I’m playing at the Wine Cellar on Nov 4th to celebrate the release which will be fun!

Who would you say are your biggest inspirations in music, and biggest influences on your sound?

Definitely a bunch of different artists for different reasons. Shamelessly a Bieber fan for his crazy sense of melodies, John Mayer for his genius lyrics and genius everything, current pop artists like Lauv, Puth, Dua Lipa for their catchy as heck hooks, and Michael Bublé, less musically, more because I wanna be as cool as him. Also my peers. The NZ music scene is insane and there’s so much talent.

You’ve done a ton of incredible collabs with the likes of JARNA, EDY and Embher to name a few! Who do you think would be your dream collab and why?

I’ll collaborate with anyone because it’s always a fun process. I have so many dream collabs, one that springs to mind is Mayer. Not even to write a song necessarily but just to selfishly absorb some of his musical wisdom for half an hour. Also Ryan Tedder would be crazy to write with. And the guys that produce for Bieber and Ariana Grande. And everyone lol.

If there’s anything you could change about the current music industry, what would it be and why?

I think it’s starting to change at the moment to where artists can be in a place where they’re more allowed to be themselves and be open about their mental health. It’s super important, and it’s okay to not know where you’re going exactly, I think sometimes we’re trying to be a little too polished and it’s okay to be a bit spontaneous at times.

Who are some of your favourite NZ artists right now and are there any songs in particular that you love or connect with?

Yes all of them. I really like what Paige is doing and her new EP. Loving Balu Brigada, their new song “moon man” is crazy. Foley are making bangers, as is Wells* and so many others. 

What do you love most about living in New Zealand? Do you have any favourite places to travel to or local spots to visit?

It’s super nice to be able to make music in Auckland CBD and then go back to the North Shore where I live, where it’s a bit quieter and there’s heaps of beaches you can chill out at and be an introvert. Would def recommend. 

What are some of the biggest lessons you’ve learnt in your career so far?

That you can’t do anything by yourself. It’s important to have a network of people you can call your friends, to get a sense of objectivity and to also to keep your mentals in check. 

I’ve also learned that you have to have a sense of what’s right for you. People above/around you can give you advice which is great, but at the end of the day you don’t want to regret sacrificing your own gut feeling. Def a balance.

Lastly, if you could say one thing to every person in the world, what would it be?

Don’t try to be anyone else because that person already exists and you’ll only fall short. Be yourself because no one else can be you and if you don’t wanna be you that’s a massive waste of something super cool. Kinda cliché but super true.

Make sure you keep up with Chris Bates on Instagram (@itschrisbates), Facebook, Spotify or Apple Music!