twst’s bubbly and energetic character shows their true passion for their art form and their great appreciation for the complexities of sound. Creating spaces through music where they can exist solely as themselves, twst uses the medium of harmonies and vibrations to form worlds where all are accepted for who they are. Taking inspiration from pop-y beats, twst navigates her darker days through the lively sounds of snare drums and piano riffs, utilising her breathy vocals to display the conflict between body and soul.
By listening to twst’s EP, you are transported to a land of infinite potential free from creative restriction, expanding to unknown and undiscovered realms of the mind. Headlining at the Grace in London on December 12, twst is just at the beginning of a long and successful musical expedition.
There’s a big difference between Chloé Davis and twst. Why twst? What does it mean and what does it stand for? I suppose a better way to put it is, who are you and who do you want to be?
I feel like twst is more than a persona or an alter ego; it’s an extension of my inner world, a convergence of experiences and explorations that define my artistic expression. Chloé is the vessel through which twst navigates this world. twst, in essence, embodies the amalgamation of my experiences, dreams, and the relentless pursuit of self-expression.
In the accompanying video for Most Viewed, you show video clips from, I assume, your childhood. How was your home experience? Were your family supportive of your musical ventures or did they see or want a different path for you?
Well I grew up working in the chicken factory with my parents and two brothers, and I’m sure secretly they would have loved me to have stayed there, but they knew that was never really on the cards, as I knew from quite a young age that I was going to pursue music. And I think when you come from a family who don’t have anything to do with the arts and the absence of any examples to guide them, it’s really hard for them to understand and support but they have grown to support the paths I’ve chosen. I love my family dearly.
My home experience was quite unconventional. Around the age of 14, I left home and moved to the valleys in Wales where I just crashed on this sofa in a recording studio, so it was a pretty unconventional upbringing where I kind of brought myself up and just self-taught through the Internet pretty much!
You were 18 when you moved to London, that jump must have been daunting for you. Do you think Wales was holding you back? What is it about London that drew you to there in the first place?
I didn’t feel like Wales was a limitation; rather, more like a cocoon where my creative process incubated. But I always had dreams of leaving to London to be a part of more diverse music scenes and to find a community, so I made the move as soon as I could!
Did you always plan on being a musician, or did you start off with different beginnings? It’s clear you like storytelling and fantastical worlds. Do you think you would have been a writer in another life?
I really loved musical theatre when I was growing up ( I think you can hear that influence in my music at times) and that’s how I started out, in shows mostly in Wales and I did one on the West End too. I also loved sport so much because I’ve always been super high energy and driven and I found that in the non- linear, boundless nature of creativity and artistic expression, sports allowed me to channel that immediate burst of energy and commit myself entirely to the activity. But really, since I was a kid music was like a sanctuary to me, offering an escape into self-created worlds where I could exist alone and explore boundless possibilities.
“And they’ll never live up to my ideal identity,” (a quote fromOff-World - one of the singles on the EP) what is your real identity? What are the expectations you hold for other people in your life? What events do you think created your identity?
Honestly, my perception of my quote unquote real identity is a fluid, ever-evolving entity. I find comfort in this constant relationship with myself. The most defining events that have sculpted my identity stem from my teenage years spent largely in isolation. During that time, I delved into creating intricate universes and narratives where I could exist wholly. Additionally, my experiences within the queer community here in London played a pivotal role in accepting and embracing the entirety of myself.
What is your perfect world? You have mentioned that you wish for a “utopian reality,” but what does that really mean to you? What does that world consist of?
A utopian reality for me is a space where acceptance, creativity, and freedom of expression converge harmoniously. It’s a world where differences are celebrated, where creativity knows no bounds, and where individuals are valued for their unique contributions.
From watching the Off-World music video, you seem to converge the natural world with aspects of space exploration. What is it about this combination of very contrasting images that you think reflects your style of music? Do you think nature and science will, in the future, be able to exist peacefully with each other, or is it the conflict between the two that really inspires you?
The amalgamation of AI and nature has significantly shaped this EP, alongside the interplay of religion and technology. These realms often clash, and I’m really intrigued by how they navigate their coexistence. In my single, Was I Ever Alone I delve deeper into this exploration, infusing hymn-like inspired lyrics to articulate this complex relationship between these conflicting spheres.
“In the morning
We will all be seen
Give me calling,
Lift me to machines
On the last night
The sun came down to see
Advertising”
You have previously stated that Catch Me (Beautiful Fall) is your favourite song that you have produced. What is it about this song that makes it so special to you? Out of the other songs on this album, it feels the most pop-influenced. Do you perhaps prefer this genre of music because it allows you to utilise your vocals more?
I love this song for a few reasons. It’s actually quite an old song of mine and was a fan favourite from live shows, so it felt really special to finally release this! It was also written about one of the darker periods in my life but feels like an upbeat bop, so I find that contrast really interesting. Also I really enjoy that it has like a big pop feel because I feel like a lot of pop these days can be quite understated with breathy vocals and I really enjoy the fact it has this big drop, its just so so so fun to sing honestly (laughs).
How excited are you to perform at the Grace? It seems like such a lovely venue that I’m sure will give you the launch pad that you need. In the coming years once you’ve become a big-shot artist, what would be your absolute dream venue to perform in? or even if there is a specific festival that comes to mind?
I am soo excited to be performing at The Grace. Principality Stadium - Cardiff! Pyramid Stage - Glastonbury, Madison Square Gardens, Coachella.