Embedded into the DNA of modern Australian pop music is Chela (née Chelsea Wheatley), the eternally effervescent Sydney/Eora-raised polymath who first made waves with her debut EP, released in 2013 via French label Kitsuné. The Fremantle-born artist, who was residing in LA until the pandemic hit, has played Coachella, SXSW, amassed 20+ million streams across her discography to date, and carefully juggled some major side projects – from contributing to props and set design on Netflix’s ‘Heartbreak High’, to directing beloved LGBTQIA+ party collective Heaps Gay’s new pop up venue.
“Cool 2 B Queer” was written by Chela post meeting up with an old flame for lunch, and is accompanied by signature vibrant visuals filmed on Newtown’s King Street, a mecca of Australian queer history. The video is co-directed by Sydney’s Tilly Robba and Chela herself, which won’t surprise fans as film is another vital part of Chela’s repertoire (she’s casually directed and styled all her own music videos). “Cool 2B Queer”‘s video stars local queer artists, all styled in custom garments that celebrate the DIY culture that Chela believes is “the epitome of queerness”.
We caught up with Chela ahead of her huge Aussie tour, to chat about accidentally causing a stir with her latest project, her enchanting sartorial flair, and staying balanced against the odds.
Best Before: I have to start by saying just how incredible your capsule merch collection (Chela ETC) is. Could you share what inspired these designs?
Chela: Gee, thanks! It all started with a $2 Mexican shopping bag I bought in Downtown LA when I was living there a few years ago. I fell in love with the print and then everything grew from there. The capsule collection is sort of a tribute to LA, to the desert weather, which is hot in the daytime and cool in the evening. To the wide burst of colour you see on taco stands and fruit stalls. To all the creative freaks and queers who live there, amidst the confronting disparity and heartbreak of it all.
Your style and vibrant aesthetic have always been a signature part of your art. How do you find your music and fashion interact with each other, both day-to-day and in your visual output?
I’m naturally quite a visual person, so often when I hear a sound I like, I see images in my mind’s eye that correlate to the feeling. Thankfully, that gift has made it easy for me to conceptualise my visuals and bring them to fruition. I’m equally passionate about personal expression through both fashion and songwriting, so it just makes sense for me to tie them together.
“It has made people feel more uncomfortable than I expected and, to be honest, I’m glad.”
It’s been more than 10 years since you first released “Romanticise”, which is WILD to think. What have you found the biggest challenge has been to navigate, with drastic shifts to the music industry over time?
I know, am I a legacy artist now? [laughs]. The greatest challenge has most definitely been social media. I think Instagram was brand new back then, and the pressure to create constant content was much lower. I’d say I’m quite a private person and I still believe in high-quality content above all, so it has been hard for me to adapt or be willing to give away intimate, throwaway parts of myself on the reg.
You’re also a filmmaker and producer, having produced many of your own videos as well as visuals for other artists, along with props and set design. How has this side of your artistry continued to evolve, and what exciting collaborations do you have in the pipeline (or are you hoping to undertake)?
I was so lucky to fall into the film industry as a teenager and build a secondary career parallel to music. Music has a lot more peaks and troughs, so the consistency of film work has been a blessing to rely upon. I started in the production department, then moved into casting, wardrobe and then art. Most recently, I worked on ‘Heartbreak High’ and am planning to do season two next year. Eventually, I’d like to move into working mostly as a writer and director, and I think my experience in other areas of film will add so much to my scope as a director. I’m currently writing three scripts, so we’ll see which one blooms first!
How do you find time to balance all of your creative projects?>
I don’t! I need some clones. I fantasise about a simpler life sometimes, but I’d get too bored. I have a lot of excess energy and my childhood imagination is still intact somehow, so that carries me through. My mind is always ticking over, thinking of the next idea. I try to remind myself to rest, meditate and do yoga when I can, which is essential to the hustle.
You have a cult following in the US, UK, and Mexico – perhaps even more so than in Australia. Why do you think your music initially had more cut-through overseas?
Well, my first label was Kitsuné, who are based in Paris. They took a chance on me early on in my solo endeavours and it led to lots of great shows overseas. So a lot of the initial ground work was done outside of Australia and caused me to move to LA, to be closer to my management team at the time.
“I’ve travelled the world, made more friends, lost loved ones, and survived abuse. I’m a more expansive person, and I have more things to write about now.”
Alongside a stack of praise, the release of “Cool 2B Queer” also elicited some really toxic conversations online. You responded so eloquently online and said, “I didn’t think I was being brave for being myself, I was just being honest. So few have that privilege.” What did you take away from this experience?
I’ve realised that homophobia is still rife out there, much more than I thought, which has only honed home the importance of a song like this. Ironically, actual queers have found the song confronting too, for the same reasons in the song. It has made people feel more uncomfortable than I expected and, to be honest, I’m glad. What do they say? ‘Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.’
How do you think this might impact/influence what you create next?
I’m going to make it even queerer lol.
What are the biggest differences you can hear in your “Romanticise” era music, compared to now?
I was more lo-fi back then, in sonics and in style. The “Romanticise” video cost $300, whereas “Cool 2B Queer” cost $13,000. I’ve purposely taken a more shiny pop route even though I’ll always be a lo-fi gal at heart. The biggest difference of all however, is the life experience I’ve had in between. I’ve been deeply in love since then, and consequently deeply broken-hearted. I’ve travelled the world, made more friends, lost loved ones, and survived abuse. I’m a more expansive person, and I have more things to write about now.
What are your plans for the next 12 months?
I’m releasing a couple of remixes and another single called “Hard For You” with Spinning Top early in the new year, then touring through Australia and hopefully overseas. I’m also hoping to work on my first LP and potentially move part-time to New York!
Watch the video for “Cool 2B Queer” here:
And listen to the brand new remix, featuring Shamir, here:
You can also catch Chela on tour here:
CHELA – COOL 2B QUEER TOUR
Fri 3 Feb – Cube Nightclub, Canberra
Fri 10 Feb – My Lover Cindi, Adelaide
Sun 12 Feb – Victoria’s Pride Street Party, Melbourne
Fri 17 Feb – Gaytimes Festival, Gembrook (New Date)
Tue 21 Feb – Sydney Opera House (with Mo’Ju)
Fri 24 Feb – Sydney WorldPride Opening Concert (with Mo’Ju)
Sat 4 Mar – Sydney WorldPride Series, Sydney
Fri 17 Mar – Hamer Hall, Melbourne (with Mo’Ju)
For tickets, head here.
Images by David Mahon.