Introducing: Chloe and the Butlers

Essex band Chloe and the Butlers are somewhat of a departure from our usual rock/metal focus but we’re hooked on their fantastic funk and soul sound, which they describe as “funky, empowering and heartfelt.”

The band met at a studio owned by James, which vocalist Chloe works at. Chloe began to sing on some of the songs that Bruce brought in, and they discovered a joint love of all things 60s and 70s analogue. Their collaboration sparked the idea to “launch their very own disco revolution” by forming a band and, from late 2023 onwards, they’ve been co-writing and working on songs.

On the sound they’ve honed since, Chloe told us: “A bit like stepping into a Time Machine but with a contemporary twist! We wear our influences on our sleeves, there are certainly a few nods to the likes of Aretha Franklin, Marvin Gaye and everything from the golden Motown era. I have grown up loving classic soul records, they have inspired me to develop a vocal style and tone that suits our songs, which are all laid down with live instruments to achieve an authentic analogue sound.”

To get a taste for this, the band sent us their third single Wrong From Right, which was released in December. It opens up with stabbing piano notes that continue under Chloe’s delicious vocals, which develop into a powerful chorus. Horns creep in during the second verse, which quickly flows into another chorus that gives way to a funky instrumental section led by big horns.

On the track, Chloe told us: “The reception has been all good so far, though we are always open to more listeners! For those who have not listened they can expect a soulful ballad not far from the classic Motown and Doo Wop styles of the 1960s. The black and white video for the single captures that vibe too. The lyrics are something that anyone who has ever experienced heartbreak will be able to relate to and I hope that they can take something from that.” A verse builds up to a bigger chorus supported by choral backing vocals with Chloe’s vocals going to another level to bring the track to a powerful conclusion. Check it out in the equally funky video below.

That track’s recently been followed by Pick Up The Pieces, which was released at the end of last month. It opens up with Chloe’s delicious wails supported by stabbing horn notes, which drop into a lively verse supported by funky guitars. A second chorus ends with big vocals alongside a cool little guitar solo. Check it out in the animated video here:

And if you like the sound of that, we firmly recommend checking out their first two singles, the upbeat Constant Communication and the seriously funky Back To The Drawing Board.

The Chloe and the Butlers sound has been influenced by a wide range of artists, predominantly the sound of 60s and 70s old soul from the likes of Aretha Franklin, The Isley Brothers, and Martha Reeves and the Vandellas.

As Chloe explains: “We can get a bit geeky about the way that those records were made, so much so that we can try to re-create that sound in our own way. Many things help influence us from our personal lives up or even writing other people’s stories.

“We write a lot about heartbreak, Wrong from Right is a good example of that, as is recent single Constant Communication, which touches on these of unrequited love. We do have room for a little light though! Our first release, Back to the Drawing Board, is simply intended to be a fun, defiant stomp to carry you through your weekend and Pick up the Pieces is about what happens if your night out goes really well.”

Chloe and the Butlers are currently finishing up work on their debut album, which will be released towards the end of this summer. So expect more singles in the build-up to that release.

And Chloe adds: “We just want people to love it as much as we do. Demos started two years ago, the time invested by all of the band since then is testament to the love and care that we all have for the music and we think that comes across in the recordings. Every detail, from the big riffs, soulful brass blasts, driving drums, soaring vocals, lyrical twists all the way down to the last tambourine shake, has been poured over by the band to make the best album possible. We think we have done a pretty good job, we hope you agree.”

You can follow Chloe and the Butlers on Instagram and TikTok, and check out their music on Spotify, Bandcamp, Apple Music and YouTube.