Hen Hoose x SNACK mag: Emerging Talent Spotlight

Welcome to our new monthly feature in collaboration with the Hen Hoose collective. A spotlight on emerging women and non-binary artists from across Scotland.

Each month, we’ll share a quickfire Q&A to get to know the artists behind the music (think SMASH Hits, and you’re favourite 90s glossy music mags!). Short, sharp, and in their own words. Part interview, part personality check.

This month, we’re very pleased to introduce you to Edinburgh based artist Cici Chen, an Edinburgh-based multilingual singer-songwriter originally from Shenzhen, China. Drifting between indie folk and acoustic pop, her music traces love, longing, and quiet becoming.

Her latest single, To Someone I Loved, unfolds like a letter – carefully written, folded, and sealed with the quiet ache of being pushed away, yet never sent.

Over to you, Cici!

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The Basics

Name / artist name: Cici Chen

Where are you based: Edinburgh

Describe your sound in 3 words: Intimate, wistful, organic

For fans of: Birdy, Jacob Alon, Joshua Hyslop, Phoebe Bridgers

Tell us about yourself (short + sweet): I’m a singer-songwriter writing about love and making intimate indie folk/folk pop music with mainly acoustic instruments.

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WHAT’S HAPPENING (promo without being boring!)

What are you working on right now? I am finishing up the production of my debut album ‘What do I know about Love?’ whilst preparing for gigs!

What’s coming up next for you? (releases / gigs / plans)

I am co-writing a brand new set with Erin O’Callaghan and Becca Hunter for our gig ‘Loud and Clear Sessions: Edinburgh’ on 28th May at Leith Depot, showcasing womxn musicians.

More info here.

I will also be releasing more songs from May/June time as well, please keep an eye out on my Instagram for that!

A recent highlight moment:  

Got featured on BBC Radio Scotland’s ‘The Arts Mix’ hosted by Len Pennie, to talk about my latest single ‘To Someone I Loved’!

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The Taste Test

What are you listening to on repeat just now?

‘Man I Need’ by Olivia Dean it’s so addictive!

A song you wish you’d written:

‘I’m Yours’ by Jason Mraz cos it’s so happy

First song that made you want to make music:

Too hard to pick one as I love too many different genres of music and they all inspired me to become a singer-songwriter!

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Quick Fire!

Tea or coffee?

Coffee!

Night out or cosy night in?

Cosy night in.

Go-to snack in the studio:

Bananas and dark chocolate 🙂

Dream Collaborator:

Jacob Alon

Best Piece of advice you’ve been given:

Pretend to be someone you really want to be until you actually become that person

What’s your delusional long-term goal?

Do world tours without being broke

Tell us something we don’t know about you – the more weird the better!

I almost got into trouble when I was a kid because I can bark extremely well.

One thing you’d like to see change in the music industry:

Significantly MORE WOMEN ARTISTS THRIVING!!

What would your 16-year-old self think of you now?

She’d not believe for a second and then thinks, hell yeah I CAN be this brave in the future!!:)

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Where can people find you?

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cici_chen_music

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Cici-Chen/61580159661893/

Bandcamp: https://cici-chen.bandcamp.com/

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Thanks Cici! We’ll be back next month with another artist to get to know. Want to know more about Hen Hoose and the work that we do? Head over to our website.

Huge thanks to SNACK for collaborating with us to amplify and platform women and non-binary musicians in Scotland.

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All photos credited to Charlotte Ross Photography.