Chloe Flower is ready for the holidays!
The dynamic pianist, producer and activist just dropped the music video for her eloquent twist on the ultimate holiday classic “Carol of the Bells” and we can’t get enough of it.
Once again teaming up with Asian-American female director Deb Tam who shot the music video on film, “Carol of the Bells” delivers a cinematic visual that evokes old Hollywood glamour as it switches from black-and-white to color vignettes. Taking place in the iconic Grand Prospect Hall in Brooklyn with Great Gatsby glee and high-fashion elegance, Chloe performs with palpable passion at a Steinway & Sons piano as a choir carries the heavenly chorus and ballroom dancers joyfully launch stunning routines.
“I think the part where I dance is my favorite memory because of how scary it was for me. Every dancer on set was INCREDIBLE, so I felt embarrassed dancing in front of them. But there was no time to think about it, so I just went into Chloeyonce mode and got it done,” Chloe recalls to Celeb Secrets when asked about filming. “It was such a great feeling, one I will never forget because I was so outside my comfort zone. This was my first time dancing in a video, and I only had time for 2 takes. Deb really pushed me to step outside my box, and if she hadn’t, I would probably be sitting at the piano the whole time.”
Chloe sits down with Celeb Secrets (virtually) to chat all about her “popsical” cover of “Carol of the Bells,” her favorite thing about the holiday season, and what her plans are for the new year.
You can read our full Q&A below (as well as watch the stunning visual) — don’t forget to leave a reaction at the bottom of the post if you love it and make sure to give Chloe a follow on Instagram at @misschloeflower.
Celeb Secrets: Congrats on the release of your own version of “Carol of the Bells.” With so many holiday songs to choose from, what made you want to cover this one specifically?
Chloe Flower: “I always really loved the simplicity and nostalgia of this song, but I could also hear all the musical possibilities around the theme and just had to create a “POPSICAL” version. I knew it would not only be a challenge, but it would be one of the only versions out there with this kind of trap drum due to the song’s meter. The song is in 3/4 time, similar to a waltz beat, and almost all other songs with drums are in 4/4. Most producers don’t write drums in 3/4, so I kind of loved the challenge of breaking from that norm. Then, when I brought the idea to Babyface and asked him to rewrite the lyrics, we knew it was going to be special. It was the blending of classic and new, and I knew the video would have to represent that too.”
CS: You also just dropped the accompanying music video – of course showcasing your amazing piano-playing skills. With the holidays obviously being a main theme throughout the visual, what inspired the rest of the creative direction for it?
CF: “When choosing the director, I wanted to pick someone with a great eye and great taste and that’s why I chose to work with Deb Tam again on this video. She had directed “Flower Through Concrete,” my previous single, and I knew right away she was a creative genius. She brought me the idea of old Hollywood glamour, and from there, we spent every day all the way up until the morning of the shoot, refining our ideas. Every single person in this production was key to making this video happen and Deb bought them all, from the Production Designer to the stylist to the choreographer. Once she and Emileigh Barrett, the Producer, created the team, we worked all day and all through the night putting it together. James Alonzo, the lead choreographer, incorporated the Fred Astaire feel while still keeping it modern with hip-hop moves. We wanted to bring the pure joy of dance to this song and not just make it about me at the piano. I wanted to make sure the dancers were seen and styled as more than just backup dancers.
The fashion is inspired by the Singing in the Rain/American in Paris looks, but without being so literal. Just like in the choreography and the song itself, we juxtaposed classic and new. The opening scene is a piece from The Blonds that Colin LoCascio (stylist) got and we paired that with Liberace’s iconic faux fur coat, loaned to us generously by The Liberace Foundation. Jackson Hallberg, the Production Designer, was so detail oriented, carefully curating everything from the curtains to the light bulbs. Even the owner of the venue (Grand Prospect Hall), who recently lost her iconic husband to COVID-19, worked hard with us to make this shoot happen. If any one piece of this puzzle was missing, we wouldn’t have this incredible video. Together, we wanted to bring glamour to the art of piano.”
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CS: Do you have any favorite memories from recording both the track and the video?
CF: “Watching Babyface write the new lyrics and conduct the choir in LA was really amazing for me. He’s my mentor, so I see him regularly, but it’s moments like that that remind me what a legend and genius he is.
In the video, I think the part where I dance is my favorite memory because of how scary it was for me. Every dancer on set was INCREDIBLE, so I felt embarrassed dancing in front of them. But there was no time to think about it, so I just went into Chloeyonce mode and got it done. It was such a great feeling, one I will never forget because I was so outside my comfort zone. This was my first time dancing in a video, and I only had time for 2 takes. So to overcome that fear and pressure was truly rewarding for me in way I hadn’t experienced before. Deb really pushed me to step outside my box, and if she hadn’t, I would probably be sitting at the piano the whole time.”
CS: Since we’re Celeb Secrets, do you have any behind the scenes secrets from filming that we wouldn’t know when watching it?
CF: “Less than a week before the shoot date, Deb and I decided to shoot in 35mm film instead of digital. We felt that shooting in film would not only give that authentic old Hollywood aesthetic, but also, it would be an ode to the live performances we so miss right now. Every shot only had 1-2 takes MAX because when you run out film, that is the end, whether you are done or not. As you watch, if you feel that live performance energy, it’s because we all put everything into every shot – just like we would a live performance. I knew I had to nail it every time, and many of my solo moments away from the piano were improvised and created on the spot.”
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CS: Are you a big fan of the holiday season? If so, what are some of your favorite traditions?
CF: “The holidays are my absolute favorite time of the year. If I could perform holiday music all year long, I would! I love the feeling that the holidays bring – a season of giving, singing, joy, and celebrating the end of year and new one to come. When I heard the lyrics Babyface wrote, ‘Wishing everyday could be like Christmas,’ it resonated with me, especially now. I also love eating, especially anything cinnamon and pumpkin spiced and the holidays are full of yummy seasonal treats! I’m definitely a holiday eater!”
CS: With things being a little different this year due to the pandemic, how do you plan on celebrating with your family?
CF: “I’m definitely disappointed that I cannot see my family for the holidays, in fact I haven’t seen them in person since February. But I think this pandemic has actually brought us closer together in another way. I never spoke to my family on FaceTime as much as I do now, so there’s some silver lining there. We won’t be seeing each other in person until the pandemic is under control, but I’m confident that next year we can make up for it!”
CS: Do you have any plans to release more music later this year or in 2021?
CF: “During the lockdown, I recorded the rest of my album using my Steinway Spirio | r piano, which allows me to record High Quality audio without a studio. I am planning to release my full album next year! It was slightly delayed because of the pandemic, but I actually wrote a couple extra songs during this time so it all worked out! I cannot wait for you to hear what I’ve been working on and hopefully in a 2021 tour!”
