Story
Destined to perform
words todd kuchel
PHOTOGRAPHY pete thornton
Chloe Seabrook has been performing since she was eight years old. Her love for the stage began in musical theatre and she has performed in countless musicals with Adelaide Youth Theatre and other companies through her young teens.
In 2020, Chloe’s vocal studio hosted a songwriting competition, which she won, at just 13 years of age, earning her free lessons with a songwriting mentor. From that moment on, Chloe was inspired to become a successful songwriter, to share stories through song, lyrics, and her artistry.
“I fell in love with the art of songwriting and have been doing it ever since,” Chloe beams.
The following year, Chloe won a second competition and purchased her first guitar with her winnings.
Eventually, guitar became Chloe’s instrument of choice, as she began busking around the Barossa Valley.
“It was much easier to move around than the piano,” Chloe smiles.
You may have seen Chloe playing for local crowds at the Barossa Farmers Market on Saturday mornings, Makers Market at Kapunda, at the Barossa Made Market in Tanunda, or The Vintage Festival Busk ‘til Dusk event. Chloe has been thrilled with the response from locals while busking.
She soon began playing shows at local cellar doors and wineries, with one gig then leading to another.
Chloe has been a regular in the local music scene for a couple of years now but this year she began playing music festivals around SA, and has appeared with Northern Sound System at WOMADelaide 2023, Music SA’s Scouted Music Festival in August, Copper & Stone Music Festival supporting the Black Sorrows, Mahalia Barnes and Germain in September and most recently at Space Jams Festival at Alma’s Hem.
Up until recently Chloe performed under the name, Chloe Veronica. But after careful consideration, she has changed her stage name to Chloe Sea, a name that is more suited to her style, whilst retaining a part of her last name.
Chloe reflects on her experience in musical theatre with gratitude, crediting her ability to entertain on stage to the opportunities she received dancing at a young age.
“It really helped, because when I started song writing I knew I could perform in front of people, and I wasn’t afraid to get up on stage,” Chloe explains.
Chloe currently has 20 original songs that she is proud to play at shows.
“Performing your own songs can feel a little bit vulnerable as it’s your own songs, life experiences that you are exposing to everyone.”
- chloe seabrook
Her debut single ‘Movie Scene’ was recorded and released last year in November and was awarded with an honorable mention at the ASME South Australian Young Composers Awards. Her follow up single ‘Wake Me Up’ was released earlier this year in March 2023, which received critical acclaim by Triple J Unearthed and has been played on radio.
“The genre that I write in is a blend of indie, folk, and pop,” Chloe explains. “I love to use a lot of metaphors in my lyrics when I write songs, so that different people can interpret my songs in their own way. Songwriting is like sharing an often-vulnerable part of yourself with others, so when I use metaphors, it also means that I don’t literally have to tell my secrets to the world.”
Chloe’s new single, ‘Call It A Day,’ was released on November 24 and officially launched at the Gov Dec 1, with a music video also released.
“My new single ‘Call It A Day’ is more upbeat, light, and poppy whereas my last single “Wake Me Up” is more wistful with lots of vocal layering with a much deeper meaning,” Chloe shares. “I think they are both songs people can really relate to though.”
Whilst in the pursuit of commercial success, Chloe remains passionate in playing shows locally, and continues to enjoy sharing her music with our community.
“I’m still at school in year 11 so playing gigs is like a part-time job for me,” Chloe smiles. “It’s so great to be able to get paid for doing something I love, while working towards my goal of becoming a successful recording artist.”
Although Chloe recently stopped dancing to focus on her songwriting, she remains passionate about being involved whenever possible.
Only recently, she performed one of the lead roles in the Trinity College musical, Bring it On.
“My main focus is my song writing,” Chloe explains. “But I do enjoy musicals. They’re so much fun to be involved with and you get to also make great friendships and bonds.”
Chloe’s songs can be found on all streaming platforms, and she plans to release more of her music next year as she continues to perform locally around South Australia and complete her secondary school studies.