As a teenager in Melbourne, Australia, Chela (Chelsea Wheatley) did what anyone else with a couple of friends and a cheap bass does all over the world: she started a three-chord punk band. It’s not only formative, but crucial in expressing everything you possibly can with a limited palette, while also being loud as possible. The thing is, you never stop being a punk, even when you start making pop music.

With just a handful of tracks released under the Chela moniker, she has demonstrated a keen taste for 80s electro-pop that digs into a rainbow hook, but hits the earth hard. Chela dropped her most recent single ‘Shut You Up’ featuring Banoffee at the end of last year.

Her first EP ‘Romanticise‘ was released through French label Kitsune with rave reviews. Recently passing over 20 million streams across her catalogue, Chela has a number of successful releases and collaborations that have seen her perform for huge audiences at festivals such as SXSW and Coachella. With collaborative credits alongside the likes of Banoffee, Paces, Goldroom, Clubfeet and more, Chela has received amazing support from FADER, NPR, Purple Sneakers, Fbi Radio and Noisey.

Entering a new era in 2019, Chela has an EP set for release - all produced by Chris Zane (Passion Pit, Bat for Lashes) in the UK last year. First single and video for ‘Losing Belief’ premiered via FADER and offers a glimmer of hope, which Chela explains as “a mantra for those who lose belief in anything and need to be reminded that their own power is all they really need”.

'Losing Belief' is the first offering from the LA-based Australian-Filipino artist, second single and video ‘Heart O’ Hearts’ released in August 2019 is an ode to inner conflict resolution and a mantra for quieting down the dark side of yourself.

Arriving with a dramatic accompanying video shot in LA, the visual accompaniment was directed, choreographed and styled by Chela and features her and her friend 'cutting sick' on an outdoor dance-floor. The eclectic choreography portrays a visual battle of good and evil twins while showcasing the intangible connection between Chela and her doppleganger.

'Heart O' Hearts' production was a labour of love that spanned continents, produced in Melbourne with friend and collaborator Le Bruc before being in Hollywood by Andrew Lappin (St. Lucia, Born Rivals). Chris Zane (Passion Pit, Holy Ghost!) lent his mastering expertise in Brixton (UK) before Sameer Sengupta (Smashing Pumpkins, London Grammar) polished it off in LA.

With her Delivery EP due out October, live dates and a clear creative vision, Chela reminds us that true authenticity is born from a real, blood-pumping heart.