Meet Chance Leigh | Singer-Songwriter, Multi-Instrumentalist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Chance Leigh and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Chance, why did you pursue a creative career?
I have always used music as a way to get through hard times. However, I never thought to pursue it as a career until I started writing and recording music. It quickly became a sort of therapeutic ritual where I could reflect on my past and try to express my emotions through my music. Sharing my vulnerabilities through the creative process relieved me of the burden of keeping my feelings secret and allowed me to be truly honest with myself. I found this process to be extremely exciting, and I noticed that I was able to work on arduous, long-term projects without losing steam. This showed me I was able to tap into a limitless source of productive energy simply by creating music, and I haven’t stopped since.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
     Throughout my process of becoming a musician, I had to teach myself almost everything. There was never anyone to teach me, and no one around me knew how to play any instrument. For years, I worked every weekend at a resort to afford all my music equipment, and I gradually built up a decent home studio. I researched constantly to figure out how to properly set up and use everything. In fact, I bought much of my equipment without knowing how to use it. It took me three days to get my synthesizer to make any sound!

     Having to start from nothing showed me I needed to have my hands in every part of the musical process because it granted total creative freedom. I could control every part of the music, from the instrumentation to the lyrics. However, the real benefit of understanding every component of the process was being able to create completely authentic music that looks and sounds like no one except for me. 

     Although working alone greatly helped me in the creation phase of my art, I soon learned that developing genuine human connections with people who could elevate your work was priceless. Whether it be reaching out to local musicians or becoming friends with photographers, developing good relationships with people around a common passion is one of the best ways I have found to create astounding art and make excellent friends.

     All I want the world to know about me is that I will continue to make music and that I always love talking to new people, so don’t hesitate to reach out! 🙂

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
     I’d want this best friend to see Arizona from top to bottom and get a feel for some local culture. I think we would spend day 1 in the Grand Canyon because it feels like you are in a painting. On day 2, we would go to Sedona to hike, eat, and check out all the little shops in the Tlaquepaque Village. Day 3 would be spent at or near Montezuma Castle and Lake Montezuma because you can see multiple ancient Native American ruins and learn about the Sinagua’s fascinating history. On day 4, I would want us to explore Cave Creek; it’s a really cool cowboy town with a vibrant nightlife, and there is plenty to do. I think it would be fun to spend day 5 at the Musical Instrument Museum. It’s one of the best musical museums in the country and has some incredible instruments to learn about. On Day 6, we would drive down to the Sky Islands, near Tucson. The Sky Islands are a group of mountains that rise far above the surrounding lowlands to create a variety of different biomes going up the mountains. The tops of the mountains have forests, while the bottom is more like a desert, and the mountains are home to tons of species unique to the region. On our last day, I would take my friend to Kartchner Caverns State Park. It’s a huge cave system that is like an underground Grand Canyon. I went there once when I was about 9 as part of a cub scout trip, and I remember being absolutely amazed by the natural architecture within the cave. A trip like this would help anyone get well acquainted with Arizona and would be a great time!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
     Although I create, record, and mix all of the music I make, I always need another ear to offer refreshing perspectives and cast a new light on the work. For me, Zackary Burr is this alternate ear. Although I call him my producer, he is almost like a musical coach, showing me creative transitions, alternate harmonies, and new ways of elevating my work. We met in 3rd grade and always had the ability to talk to each other for hours. Coincidentally, we both ended up becoming audio engineer nerds and have been working with each other for about 3 years. He was with me on every late-night studio session while we worked on the album, and I truly owe him a great deal for the making of my debut album. It would not have been possible without his help, and I am eternally grateful for his friendship.
 

Website: https://linktr.ee/ChanceLeigh

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chance__leigh?igsh=Y2Y4YmVseXgxem43

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chance-aaronson-375643288/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@chanceleigh3306

Image Credits
Dan Duffey
Lexi Licari