Power in Vulnerability: A Conversation with Chloe Star on ‘Stand the Silence’ and Self-Identity

Photo credit Danielle Reuther

Chloe Star, a rising force in the alt-pop scene, has unveiled her latest single, “Stand the Silence.” This stripped-back, emotional ballad stands in contrast to the bold pop-punk and rock anthems featured on her debut EP, the bed i lie in, and her recent single, “FMIF.” “Stand the Silence” captures the rollercoaster experience of being an artist, exploring how the adrenaline rush of performing can amplify the loneliness of the quiet moments that follow. With an intimate guitar melody and evocative lyrics, the song paints a vivid portrait of introspection and finds strength in vulnerability. As an openly queer, Persian-Indigenous artist and a passionate advocate for female empowerment, Star shines as a beacon of authenticity and diversity. We had the opportunity to speak with her about “Stand the Silence” and her journey of creativity and self-discovery.

VIBRANT: “Stand the Silence” tells a much more vulnerable story than your previous works.

What is the message of this song and how did you approach creating it differently?

Chloe: It’s definitely different, and I’ve accepted the process of allowing it to be different

because that was kind of a challenge, and something I’ve always stirred away from. But I’ve

wanted to do something like this for ages. This past year I’ve done a lot of traveling for shows, I’ve spent a lot of time in London, I’ve been around different creatives. Performing is my favorite thing to do, and in a perfect world I’m doing that every single day. But the high is so high and the low is so low. When I come home after being away for however many weeks, I’ll be lying in my bed and it’s just pure silence. My head is spinning, and I’m asking myself what to do, who I can talk to and how I can acknowledge but also not act out on these feelings.

VIBRANT: There were a few creative mediums you were passionate about growing up. How did it all transition into songwriting? What other art forms do you still explore?

Chloe: I have just been so infatuated with music ever since I was young. I started songwriting by first journaling, which went to poetry, and then songwriting. It started with not really knowing how to vocalize emotions. I would sit and try to teach myself how to play piano while somehow singing these poems. I was so young that I had no idea what I was doing, but it just made sense. I’m in this place now where I feel most authentic in myself creatively. It hasn’t just been music, but also painting—spray paint, acrylic paint, resin—constantly creating boards for visual art, and all of that clumped together.

VIBRANT: You had a unique upbringing spending time between LA and your family’s

reservation. How does your Native American background play a part in your artistry?

Chloe: I was raised with Native traditions on my mom’s side of the family, and one of them

that really stuck with me was storytelling through songs. I feel as though with the music that I

make, I always want to tell some sort of story that’s true. I don’t ever want to write a song just to put it out. Everything I write is real, it’s authentic, and it can be uncomfortable and

heartbreaking. We had our own traditional songs, and my great-grandmother used to sing them to me as a kid. It’s all storytelling.

VIBRANT: As someone that’s openly queer, how does that influence your self-expression?

What was your journey discovering your identity like?

Chloe: I’d say sometimes I’m a little too myself. Growing up, I could be called “rebellious”. I for sure always walked in my own shoes, my own beliefs and trusted myself. Now, I feel like it’s so important for any artist or any creative to share the comfortable parts about themselves because the energy feeds off. When I was younger, I saw Kristen Stewart in Twilight and was like damn, I might be a lesbian. I never shied away from it. I would say “I have a girlfriend” to my family, and my dad’s culture was really strict and he was uncomfortable at first. He’s totally fine now, but even then I would never let it affect me.

VIBRANT: What message would you give LGBTQ+ listeners who are also on their own path to self-discovery, especially those who may want to go into the music industry?

Chloe: Know your truth. Walk the way you want to walk, talk the way you want to talk, dress

the way you want to dress. We have one life to live and it’s way too short for any of us to not be in our truth. For people that are queer and want to get into music: find your people and be your authentic self. When I meet artists that are so comfortable in who they are, it’s like there’s no question about what is a part of them.

VIBRANT: What artists inspired you and your sound? How would you describe your sound and how it’s changed over time?

Chloe: YUNGBLUD and Amy Winehouse are big inspirations and the EP I released this year

was very Deftones-inspired. Third Eye Blind is also one of my all time favorite bands; there’s

something about the energy in their songs that I wanted to come into play with my own music. My sound is always evolving and all over the place. Not all over the place in a bad way, but just allowing myself to be uncomfortable. The last couple of months I've been writing, and the sound is different from the EP. Now, I’m in that world of John Dawson, Lola Young and YUNGBLUD because his music has such heavy live instruments, which is my favorite.

VIBRANT: Were you ever anxious about performing on stage for the first time? If so, has that changed throughout your musical career?

Chloe: I still get nervous every time! When I have ten minutes before going onstage, that’s

when I start sweating. But right when it gets to the 60-second mark, something happens. I feel like I completely black out and it’s all “let’s rage”! I’m not going to be one of those people that’s like “I never get nervous”. There was a specific show I did this year, a queer festival, and my hands were shaking. But as soon as I’m up there, that energy kicks in.

VIBRANT: What’s your favorite song to perform live and why?

Chloe: My song “Happy Place”. At most shows that’s the song people know, and they sing

along to it. Hearing people sing and scream your song is such a magical, surreal feeling and a blessing.

VIBRANT: Do you have a favorite concert you’ve attended?

Chloe: I started listening to Third Eye Blind when I was 16, and I waited ten years to see

them. I saw they were on tour this year and didn’t buy tickets because I thought I could just live vicariously through social media. But on the day they were going to be in LA, my mom called and said she was taking me to dinner. I get in the car and she says, “I’m not taking you to dinner, we’re seeing Third Eye Blind”. I cried and cried and it was so amazing; Yellowcard opened for them too and that was a double win.

VIBRANT: Are there any exciting projects or goals you have for the new year and future?

Chloe: I’ll be spending two weeks in December doing a writing camp in London, working on an album I’ll be dropping next year! Fingers crossed I’m on tour next year.

Chloe Star’s journey is a testament to the power of authenticity, creativity, and resilience, and with her upcoming album and aspirations for the future, she’s poised to continue captivating audiences around the world. Be sure to listen to her latest single, “Stand the Silence,” now available on all streaming platforms.