Q&A: Chloe Star Brings Unyielding Momentum on ‘games’

MusicQ&A

Oct 15

INTERVIEW

“DEFINITELY AN ACTION MOVIE”—Chloe Star states when asked what her single “games” should be the soundtrack to. “I could just see the song in the background while something crazy is being blown up.”

She is completely on the nose. A song fitting right into an action movie scene, or for everyday yet unrelenting confidence and risk-taking, alt-pop singer-songwriter Chloe Star’s “games” is just what this past summer needed. With the track’s explosive percussion energy and unyielding momentum from start to finish, “games” is a must-listen.

“I’m a star (Chloe Star).” Said with a smile on her face and an implied upper-hand, Star’s self-assured delivery gives the track the fearlessness it exudes. When asked about fearlessness and bravery, though, Chloe Star makes a distinction: “I think I'm more curious than actually fearless. I think my curiosity really comes first.”

Star’s differentiation between being fearless and being curious adds another layer to “games.” The song on its own is already naturally bold, but Star’s self-analysis gives the track’s confidence a grounding anchor. Reframing fear with curiosity, and for those who need a push when fear slows them down, Chloe offers the advice “don't be afraid of the dark. Not to get corny, but if it's dark out, there's always gonna be light at some point.”

A Persian and Indigenous artist who broke into the alt-pop scene in 2023, Chloe Star is not slowing down. Following her release of “games” on July 31, she is continuing her momentum throughout the year. “I’ll be dropping a song this month, and then I'm dropping a song in October, November and December.”

Read below for Luna’s discussion with Chloe Star on “games,” action movies, fearlessness, her London Pride 2025 set, music as free therapy and much more.

LUNA: Congratulations on releasing “games” this summer! The alt-pop single has been out for about a month now. What has this past month been like for you since its release?

STAR: Thank you on the congrats! It's been pretty good. I was really excited to put this song out because I have held onto it for a while now, and it's been through so many different versions and so many changes. Holding onto a song that no one's heard, that feels like an older song, and just putting it out has been relieving. I'm like, “Okay, now I can just let it out into the world and have the world just do what they want with it.” So far, the response has been really good. I've been able to play it live at my past couple of shows, which was really fun too.

LUNA: How has it been performing “games” live at your past couple of shows?

STAR: A lot of fun. It was really cool because before it was even out, people were already singing it just from me promoting it online. So, that was really cool. I play guitar on “games” live, and it's just a good time and high energy. The foundation of that track is very guitar- and drums-heavy, which amplifies everything.

LUNA: “games” captures the essence of confidence and fearlessness. What does it mean to live fearlessly to you?

STAR: To live fearlessly—it means to be confident. It means being my most authentic self, wearing what I want to wear, walking how I want to walk and talking how I want to talk. Just truly being who I am, at the core. I feel like that's what fearlessness means to me.

LUNA: Were you always naturally on the braver side?

STAR: I'm not sure. I guess that's a pretty good question. I'd have to really think about that. In my head, I can definitely go back and forth. Like any other human being, we all have our fearful moments. But I live with the mentality that life is too short, and we might as well just walk into the dark energy. I like to just see what happens. I think I'm more curious than actually fearless. I think my curiosity really comes first.

LUNA: That's a really cool differentiation between curiosity and fearlessness. “games” is full of unmatched energy. What elements of the production or songwriting do you think are responsible for creating that energy?

STAR: I think the recording process was the reason behind all of the great, big energy feel. I recorded it in New York with a live band, so I definitely feel like there is 100% a difference when you record with a live band versus using programming. I think that really boosted it, and when I first wrote the song and did the first like demo, there was a full chorus, but I just felt like it wasn't really hitting. So I decided to take the chorus out and have it be an instrumental moment where I am repeating the “baby, I'm good at games” lyric. I feel like that really allowed the energy to be elevated.

LUNA: You’ve described “games” previously as being “about the part of [you] that’s always willing to roll the dice, no matter the consequences.” Is there a memory that comes to mind about a time when you felt like you rolled the dice, despite the consequences?

STAR: I can't think of a specific moment because that happens on a daily for me. Not in a dangerous way but, like I said previously, it's more of the curiosity. I just am so curious about everything, and I'd rather live in the mindset where at least I try. Even if I fail, at least I tried, rather than not knowing. That could go with anything in life, or anything in the music industry. I wouldn't want to live like, “Oh, I could have done this, but I just didn't try.” That doesn't really align with me.

LUNA: Do you have a favorite moment off of “games?”

STAR: My favorite moment is the chorus. It's really fun to play live, and I love the second verse. I think it's so silly and really taps into the “rolling of the dice, I don't really care what anyone thinks or how anyone's gonna think of this.” It's just a funny verse. And I also love how in the background it sounds like a bunch of people are saying “Chloe Star.” I just love that moment. I think it's so funny.

LUNA: If “games” could be the soundtrack to one memory, moment, situation from your life or even a movie scene, what would you choose and why?

STAR: Definitely an action movie. Recently I've been watching this TV show called Lioness. It's with Zoe Saldaña, and the third season just came out. I feel like that'd be a crazy soundtrack. Lioness is about the CIA and the military, and I could just see the song in the background while something crazy is being blown up. Or Fast & Furious.

LUNA: You began releasing music in 2023. Looking back on these past few years, what has it been like finding your place within the alt-pop scene?

STAR: It's definitely been interesting. It's been a learning process. There's been evolution. There's been growth, and I've learned a lot about myself. And I've also been able to meet a lot of other artists and creators that are also in this world. It's been a blessing, really, to be able to be in a place where I've put myself out there enough now to where there are people listening to my music and going to shows and singing with me. It's been magical.

I've done a lot of traveling and have been able to go to different states, and the UK, and meet the community in those different cities. The cool thing about the community is everyone is really searching and feeling the same things, which is community, just having a good time and getting connected. You just feel like you're in a safe space.

LUNA: You’ve performed at some really notable shows before, including London Pride 2025. Do you have a favorite memory when it comes to performing live?

STAR: Oh gosh, London Pride was so much fun. If I could relive that moment…it was such a good show. Before shows, I always tell Alicia, my manager, “What if no one comes?” I spiral beforehand, and I freak out. I get in my head, and it's a whole thing, honestly, and it's exhausting. It's fucking exhausting, but I feel like that show [London Pride 2025] really proved people are coming. I didn't realize how many people would be there, and also I didn't really realize how many people would be singing my songs. I think that was one of those magical moments. Any artist who gets to that place where you see people in the audience screaming your songs back at you…it's a surreal moment where your brain can't fully comprehend what's happening.

LUNA: As a Persian and Indigenous singer-songwriter, how do you feel your identity and experiences show up in your music and the way you approach your artistry?

STAR: I think it shows up in everything I do, especially when it comes to music. On my mom's side of the family, songs are sacred and songs are healing. You use songs and sounds to storytell, and I've really used that in my music. Whatever I'm going to be writing about, it's a true story. It's something that's happened, and the whole point is to help others and to share a similar experience with another person. Connection is so important. I think that's what we're all chasing, just being human. We chase connection, and I feel like that's been key with everything I've been doing with music, even down to the specific sounds. What I receive from music is that it’s healing and it's like medicine and I do it in hopes that I can offer that to others.

LUNA: I love that. It’s absolutely healing.

STAR: Yeah, it's free therapy. And therapy can be expensive.

LUNA: “games” is not fearful in the slightest. For readers who need a little extra push to live life with more excitement and less fear, do you have any advice or words of encouragement?

STAR: Yeah, I guess it would be don't be afraid of the dark. Not to get corny, but if it's dark out, there's always gonna be light at some point. Always be authentically yourself and no matter what, your people will find you or you'll find your people at the end of it. Staying true to self, I think that's what my biggest thing has been. I don't want to be skewed by other people's opinions. Just because someone doesn't like the way I dress, someone else will understand it, and that's okay.

LUNA: What can listeners look forward to from you for the rest of the year?

STAR: Shows! I have a couple shows coming up in October. I'm doing an East Coast run, which I'm really excited about. I’ll be dropping a song this month, and then I'm dropping a song in October, November and December.