Interview: Kiersten & Cameron from Chymes

Hailing from NSW’s central coast, electronic duo Chymes are turning plenty of heads with their dreamy soundscapes, delicate vocals, and minimalistic beats. We asked musical BFFs Kiersten Nyman and Cameron Taylor about what inspires their music and how they’re approaching their live show.

Firstly, for the uninitiated, how would you describe your music and live shows?

Intimate singer-songwriter electronic music. Our live shows include lots of samplers with very chill vibes.

Your music has an interesting blend of sounds and instrumentation, what inspires Chymes’ music?

We are inspired by all sorts of artists and things! We love electronic artists like Kllo, SOHN, and Moderat – but we do enjoy good pop song too, such as Ariana Grande’s latest album!

You recently had your first ever live show, how was the experience and what did you learn from it?

Kiersten: Our first show was a bit daunting but we enjoyed it! We had rehearsed plenty of times with our own PA setup but it was definitely a shock going from that to the venues own equipment. The sound system is soooo different! We had a few things go wrong, Cameron’s synthesiser stopped working and I forgot the lyrics to Oracle (laughs). We have definitely learnt that we were a bit over-the-top with our rig and that we needed to simplify it.

How do you feel about the response to the release of your debut EP ‘Grow’?

Everyone has been super supportive and positive about our EP! We are very excited to have it out in the world and be able to share it with everyone.

Now that your debut EP is out, what’s the next big thing for Chymes?

We want to write more music and play more shows!

You have received fan-made videos with your lyrics translated to Spanish. What’s it like to know you have fans on the other side of the world?

Definitely a very strange feeling, we are super stoked that the music has been understood and received so well especially in foreign countries. That’s the Internet for you! It’s just bizarre to think about someone in a place we’ve never been liking our music!

You’re going to be starting a month long residency at Surry Hill’s The White Horse, what can fans expect from these shows?

Dreamy fairy lights, samplers, chill vibes and to hang with us before and after the show!

Lastly, how would you construct the ultimate wind chime and what would it look like?

Kiersten: Hmm, I don’t know that we are that creative (laughs), we’d probably just get one from a shop.

Cameron: Ahh, perhaps a series of cylindrical wooden tubes tuned to a minor pentatonic scale so the wind sounds extra moody and the rain more atmospheric?