A Chat with Chloe Dunn (06.11.25)
An experimental violinist and composer, France-based Chloe Dunn transforms the stage as a one-woman orchestra, weaving her voice, strings and electronics in an eclectic, immersive sound. We speak with her about her new EP, Blossom, what music means to her, and much more.
OSR: A cliché question, but what drew you to music, and why did you choose to pursue a career in music?
Dunn: No it’s not cliché, and I appreciate your curiosity. I was drawn to music by a mystical experience I had as a child. I was lying on my bed listening to a cassette tape of my favourite music at the time. The bed was then lifted up by the music, and it floated, spinning slowly into outer space with the stars all around. Music has been my North Star ever since.
Interestingly, some of the press about Blossom has described it as ‘celestial’ and ‘from outer space’. One critic even said I sound like I come from the moon. So I like to think I’ve unknowingly infused my music with this visceral childhood experience.
OSR: As a composer, producer, and performer, which do you feel is the most challenging aspect: Creating the song or producing it, and why?
Dunn: Definitely creating it. Letting that original seed come through. I have to be in the right space for this to happen, and this space generally only comes about when I’m alone in my house, which is rare. After which, the production process comes in, which is involved and lengthy, but more straightforward than finding the first spark.
OSR: You have just released your debut EP, Blossom, as an introduction to your sound and you as a musician. How did it come about, and what do you hope it says about you as an artist?
Dunn: It’s been many years in the ripening. The songs existed way, way before I recorded them properly, but I hadn’t dared to concretise anything. This long path of frustrating self-censorship eventually led me over a cliff into a joyous free-fall of recklessness. I booked the EP release party before anything had been recorded. And then I set to work.
Also, for the past year or so I have cultivated creativity accountability (Creative Thursdays) with a friend of mine who is a writer. That has been really helpful.
I hope my music communicates a deep reverence for life.
OSR: What do you hope people take from your EP?
Dunn: I think I’ve let certain lyrics be enigmatic enough for the listener to be able to overlay their own lived experience and thus appropriate my music, taking from it what they will. I really like that these songs don’t belong to me anymore.
OSR: It’s difficult for people to choose favourite tracks, but which song from Blossom is your favourite, and why that one?
Dunn: I love ‘Take Me Back’ because when I listen I can still taste the thrill of discovering that playful arpeggio effect on my delay pedal and needing to turn it into a song. Also, it’s the first ever piece of music that I was able to retrieve from the dream state.
It’s quite a weird song, and I sense it’s still looking for its unique and dreamy audience. Maybe somebody who is reading this right now?
OSR: If you could change anything about Blossom, what would it be and why?
Dunn: Nothing, since I’m now learning to put music out there and leave it be.
OSR: What does music mean to you?
Dunn: It’s a source of unspeakable bliss. I cannot put this into words, so instead I’ll urge readers to listen to ‘How Sweet The Moonlight’ by Jocelyn Pook with closed eyes and an open heart.
OSR: If you had to perform with any musician, who would it be and why?
Dunn: I’d love to perform with Kishi Bashi. I adore the boyish rebel-lite attitude that he brings to the violin – he’s a breath of fresh air.
OSR: What can we expect from you in the future?
Dunn: Since I learned from giving myself a deadline for the EP, I’ll be recklessly booking the album release party any day now.
OSR: Do you have a message for our readers?
Dunn: Cultivate and cherish your weirdness. It’s the best way to find your true match in life, love and art.
Find out more about Chloe Dunn on her official website, Instagram, YouTube, and Spotify.
This artist was discovered via Musosoup #sustainablecurator
