'Close' Exclusive Premiere: A soft, sensual new single from the London-based singer Duchess
The talented London-based artiste Duchess is a young singer-songwriter who is set to release her latest single 'Close' on April 3.
Considering we all face a period of uncertainty and self-isolation during this current coronavirus crisis, this soft, sentimental track is certain to feel like "a warm hug with a loved one as we settle in for a time under the covers," according to the young star.
With Duchess's popularity and streaming numbers on the rise, we've secured an exclusive premiere of the new song here for you to enjoy.
Mixing classic pop songwriting with cutting-edge production has become a hallmark of Duchess's output. Teaming up this time on 'Close' with her producer friend and co-writer, Patch Boshell, Duchess has delivered a deeply intimate vocal which echoes the personal sentiment of the song.
The lyrics speak volumes as well, conveying the intense sense of devotion that one feels in a loving relationship. As Duchess explains, “I wanted to represent a connection that is so deep that being close isn't close enough!”
You can check out the exclusive preview of the lush, sensual number here below:
Besides 'Close', Duchess has released four original singles to date ('Situation', 'Talking To Myself', 'Watch Me' & 'Breathe') and has also written for a variety of artistes. One of the tracks she penned, ‘Raybans’ by Drew Schiff, gained a premiere with Billboard.com, while another single she helped write, ‘What You’re thinkin’ by Hella and Conan Mac amassed over one million streams on Spotify.
Duchess champions the importance of expression from a strong and confident female's point-of-view in her music, tackling issues such as bullying, body image, and mental health in her songs. Her previous track 'Breathe' was created to help raise awareness for domestic violence cases and furthermore, 20% of the profits from 'Breathe' will be donated to refuge charity.
Having to overcome adversity at a young age, Duchess soon learned that expressing herself through art was the key to overcome the challenges that the world threw at her, explaining: “For me dance, poetry and music saved me - I'm so thankful for the passion I discovered when I needed it most, to heal and learn to love myself again.”
This latest track represents a new chapter in Duchess' journey - we talked with her about the songwriting process of 'Close' and also managed to get an inside scoop on some of Duchess's future releases and collaborations in 2020.
What's the concept behind the track 'Close' and can you tell us about the process of writing it?
‘Close’ is about the feeling of wanting someone so much that when you are with them you just can’t get enough of them. You want to squeeze them tighter, kiss them harder, pull them closer. It’s about wanting more of that moment. The concept originally came to me when spending a night at the Mayfair Hotel. I then started working on the idea with singer-songwriter Ollie Wade to develop it further - I wanted to create a romantically pleasing song along with a satisfying arrangement of chords. Patch Boshell got involved with making the beat and vocal production. I then worked with singer Ari Tahan on the final rewrite to create the finished version of the track and add some new ideas.
What are you hoping your fans will take away from this tender new song?
I'm hoping my fans will listen to my track and enjoy a moment of closeness with loved ones. Especially during this unpredictable time where the world has to unite and remain safe at home, missing our loved ones. It’s a perfect time for us to listen to this song and find the true value of what it means to be close to someone and take advantage of this rare moment in time where we are able to do just that. On the topic of coronavirus, I cannot express enough how grateful I am to our amazing NHS and urge everyone reading this to stay home, be creative, do things life has never given you the time to do before, and cherish this time with those around you.
Do you have plans for any upcoming music releases in the future?
2020 is set to be a year full of new music for me. With my latest release ‘Close’, audiences can expect a stripped-back acoustic version in the upcoming weeks, along with some upbeat remixes from the likes of Will Rumens. I now have a catalog of finished tracks, exciting collaborations with Jay Anthony, Conan Mac, and Justgeorge, to name a few, all ready for release this year and I promise not to disappoint my fans. I've been working very hard with my producer, friend and co-writer Patch Boshell on these. This year, you can also keep an eye out for releases from artistes such as Ari Tahan, Conan Mac, Will Rumens and Alex Tan, where my songwriting skills have come into play.
Who are your musical inspirations and idols?
Lady Gaga has been an idol for me since day one - I was fixated on her bad girl, confident and wild persona. It was literally love at first sight when I heard 'Just Dance' and watched the music video. The Weeknd is also a massive inspiration and I lay claim to being one of his biggest fans!
What are your thoughts on the current coronavirus that's sweeping the globe? How are you coping with it?
I am faithfully abiding by the government guidelines, exercising by walking for one hour a day, and then creating fun circuits inside the house and doing lots of dancing. It is such a good time for us to find a hobby! For me, this is a chance to learn to play the piano at a higher level and practice singing techniques that I can take to the studio eventually. For mental stimulation, I've been doing sudoku, puzzles, reading, and I am currently involved in a 3-day long Monopoly game. I feel it’s really important that we utilize the benefits of technology during this time, and stay connected with our friends and family online.