Chloë Agnew, daughter of veteran entertainer Twink and classical musician David Agnew, has teamed up with fellow musicians and singers Zapho, Senita, Toshín, and Gemma Bradley for new project, The X Collective.
The band have released their first single, the female-driven pop anthem WB, with a debut album to follow later this year.
Speaking about the new track, The X Collective said, "This song has been a long time coming, we knew it was special and so we had originally intended to pitch it to a well-known girl band, instead we came up with the idea to make our own band within the collective itself.
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"We weren't short of some outrageously talented vocalists! Seeing the song grow from a small home-produced demo to a ten-person musical collaboration was magical and making the music video to match our vision was key to capture a sense of the women behind the music."
We asked Chloë the BIG questions . . .
Tell us three things about yourself?
I'm a singer-songwriter from Dublin who’s moving more into presenting, acting and radio in recent years and I’m one of the original and youngest members of the internationally acclaimed music group Celtic Woman, which I joined when I was just 14.
I’m pretty sure I love my animals more than I love humans. My dogs are my best companions on the road. They’re Dachshund/terrier-cross twins I rescued from a pet shelter in California. They’re called Bonnie and Clyde and they’re the light of my life.
I’m a Gemini and I’m fascinated with all things astrology, astronomy, and I’m a total space nerd.
How would you describe your music?
I’ve been quite lucky to move between different genres throughout my career with everything from World/Celtic with Celtic Woman to more Country/Folk - when I tour with Nathan Carter - to crossover/classical/musical theatre when I work with symphony and pop orchestras so I love challenging myself by experimenting with different styles BUT when it comes to my own original music I would probably say it’s singer-songwriter/adult contemporary with pop/soul influences.
Who are your musical inspirations?
I adore old school sounds like The Beach Boys, The Carpenters and rockers like The Ramones and Green Day. I love big powerhouse vocalists like Celine Dion and Adèle.
How did you occupy yourself during the coronavirus lockdown?
It’s been a rollercoaster of periods of manic productivity and then a paralyzing lack of motivation and creativity due to anxiety and stress over what seems like the never-ending lockdown and uncertainty of what the future looks like in the music and entertainment world. But there’s a couple of things that have kept me sane this year I’ve gotten really into art and needlework. I’ve written more music than I’ve ever written in recent years and getting to collaborate with friends and work with new people I’ve never met before all through Zoom and virtual sessions has been so much more rewarding than I could have hoped for. Hours spent in the local park with my dogs reading or writing. Trying to figure out how to up-skill with home recording and video editing and definitely running and walking (which in fairness is the only thing any of us can do in our 5km the last year!) but I’ve noticed the positive effect it’s had on my mental health and physical well-being this last year and is definitely something that’s taught me a new found appreciation for taking better care of myself!
What’s your favourite song right now?
Other than being completely biased and saying The X Collective’s new release WB, I’m going to say my beautifully talented friend Megan O’Neill’s song Ireland from her new album Getting Comfortable with Uncertainty. It’s one of those songs I listen to and wish I’d written - her, melodies, stunning voice, and the magic of our wonderful country that she captures in her lyrics make it a timeless classic!
Favourite lyric of all time?
Oh, it’s absolutely impossible to pick just one as there are so many song lyrics that are all a beautiful part of the soundtrack to my life. One of my all-time favourite lyrics that I think are some of the most beautiful words ever written has to be Galileo by our very own Declan O’Rourke.
I became obsessed with this song from the first time I heard it at a gig of Declan’s in the Roisín Dúbh in Galway many, many years ago. I’ve loved it for such a long time that in recent years I recorded a version of it with the Bulgarian Symphony Orchestra for my Reimagined album and it was an incredibly emotional experience getting to sing those incredible words.
"Love can make you ask some funny questions now and then, But just remember the alternate is, For I remember when I was lonely and unhappy and my lips were cold as ice, Then you kissed me and good heavens, Now I’m here in paradise, So if ever I’m not kissing you or looking in your eyes, I won’t be blind and I won’t cry, I’ll look up high and gladly sigh, And thank the guy, Who puts the rainbow in the sky, Who lights the stars at night, Who dreamt up someone so divine, Someone like you and made them mine".
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life what would it be?
Again, it’s too hard to pick just one but I would have to say Piece of Clay by Marvin Gaye is, in my opinion, one of the best song ever written, I could listen to it over and over again and never get tired of it! If you haven’t heard it, go find it, you’ll be glad you did!
Where can people find your music/more information?
You can find out more information over on my official website or keep up to date with what I’m up to on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Twitter @ChloeAgnew.
I’m also new to the world of TikTok and Oxygean and you can find me there too!
