CHNNLL Puts an Alt-Pop Twist on Bonnie Raitt's "Guilty"
CHNNLL
— CHICAGO-BASED ALTERNATIVE POP ARTIST —
RELEASES REIMAGINED VERSION OF BONNIE RAITT’S
“GUILTY”
Above: “Guilty” artwork
NASHVILLE, TN (December 13, 2023) — With an influx of new music to share in the new year, Chicago-based alternative pop artist CHNNLL — also known as Chris Davidson — has released his final single of 2023 “Guilty” — a completely reimagined version of the original track by Bonnie Raitt incorporating an icy piano and repenting beat.
“I was listening to Marc Maron’s podcast,” CHNNLL recalls. “He was interviewing Bonnie Raitt, talking about her song ‘Guilty.’ Marc said one line in the track really stuck out to him: ‘Well you know how it is with me, baby. You know I just can't stand myself. It takes a whole lot of medicine for me to pretend to be somebody else.’ These words resonated with me too, so I looked up the rest of the lyrics and decided to create a melody and chord progression, without first hearing Ms. Raitt’s version. The song really took on a new persona.”
Stream / Download “Guilty” here.
The track succeeds the release of singles “Kick it” — which had Top Shelf Music Magazine raving, “In world of music where authenticity is often elusive, CHNNLL stands out as an artist who unflinchingly shares his truth through his music” — and “My Mistake” which found praise from Occhi Mag & VENTS among others.
Above: CHNNLL; Credit: Orel Chollette
CHNNLL combines live instrumentation and multi-layered soundscapes to create a harmonious balance between extremes. The emotionally charged subject matter is tempered by bold melodies, making raw truths more accessible through hummable hooks. After generating over 1 million cumulative streams and earning acclaim from the likes of Atwood Magazine, he hones this vision.
“For me, music is about a juxtaposition of different elements,” he shares. “Lyrically, I might be singing about happiness or inspiration, and the sonics will be a little rough — or vice versa. I put a lot of care into every part. I’m focused on the songwriting and the message. Everything is always honest.”
Born in Manhattan and raised in Stamford, Connecticut, Chris initially excelled on the drums. He studied jazz at The New School and, during college, explored guitar and piano for the first time while also teaching himself how to write songs. He spent more than a decade working as a highly sought-after professional jazz drummer, but maintained a passion for writing and desire to record material of his own. “All along, I wanted to have more of a voice in the music,” he notes. “So, my trajectory changed.”
He introduced CHNNLL with the self-titled, CHNNLL EP, during 2018; following up his debut with the 2021 full-length album, The Test, produced by Joey Waronker [Atoms For Peace, Beck, R.E.M.]. The Test also included the likes of Zac Rae [Death Cab For Cutie, Alanis Morissette, Stevie Nicks] on guitar, piano, and synthesizers and Gabe Noel [Kendrick Lamar, Harry Styles, Father John Misty] on bass and strings. In between, he has shared stages with artists such as Moth & The Flame, Wingtip and Beach Bunny, among others. All along building a palpable buzz with both fans and critics such as IMPOSE MAGAZINE and Atwood Magazine who raved, “CHNNLL is not most artists.”
Throughout 2023, Chris recorded what will become his latest project at Steve Albini’s studio with engineer Drew Brown, [Radiohead, Atoms for Peace, Beck] and creative input from The Test friends Joey Waronker, Zac Rae and Gabe Noel.
Reflecting broadly on his own music and experience with the art he said, “When I listen to a record through the years, it’s a gift, I want more of it. I’d love for you to feel the same way about what I’m doing. If my music can help you navigate a problem or connect you to a specific time in your life, there would be nothing better.”