Bio
Leading a trail of glitter, Bleu and Alex formed Chateau Chateau in 2018. They immediately picked up their bedazzled keytar and googly-eye guitar and began making the indie-pop sprinkled post punk that the desert dwellers still rock today. The band’s style has noticeably evolved; from 2018’s EP ‘Evidence’ that showcases simplicity. Featuring clean, snappy guitar riffs and unpretentious hooks and lyrics that instantly get stuck in your head, to the synth driven disco inspired grooves, ambiguous lyrics sung by Alex’s modest vocals in 2020’s LP ‘Princess’, to their most recent release LP, ‘Grow Up’, that puts Bleu in the spotlight with amplified guitar centric productions that compliment her captivating vocals, while she tells her story with brutally honest lyrics. While it's no secret how similar the two are, they really began to thrive when they started using their contrasting strengths to fill in each other’s blanks; letting Alex take the lead on guitar solos with structure, while Bleu handles lyrics and vocals with emotion. Chateau Chateau songs explore dark subjects like mental illness, addiction, and trauma, with a dichotomy of grim humor and sarcasm on top of their energetic music that keep you partying with them all night.
Self-released, debut single ‘Crisis Party’(2018), gained overnight attention, getting featured on playlists including Spotify’s ‘Discover Weekly’ and ‘New Music Friday’. With the momentum, they sank the hook with their shows. Bleu and Alex push what it means to be a musician with their DIY sets featuring up to nine people on stage, always sequined self-made outfits, giant dancing eyeballs, confetti cannons, props, and more. Using those elements to complement their music and tell an ongoing story of their evolution in the details.
They take artistic inspiration anywhere from drag icons The Boulet Brothers, to legend David Bowie. Initially reluctant towards Alex’s exuberant vision, Bleu trusted him and jumped into his fantasy. “We’re both reserved introverts who get to step out of our bodies and into these immortal, confident, unafraid, extravagant faces. A lot of the people we reach have gone through similar trauma, or they’re going through it now. But the amazing thing is watching these awesome people resonate and be reminded that they deserve nothing but the best, that they are in control of their life. And I’m still finding thoughts in my lyrics that were products of manipulation or abuse, that I’ve changed since.We’re all growing together and somehow it’s not scary. Alex and I live a life that we never could’ve imagined, a dream,” says Bleu, tattoo artist by day. Their transparent but care-free presence has created a comforting safe space for people to go to Chateau shows expressing their authentic selves. “We will always welcome people with open arms. A lot of us don’t have anywhere to go, but we’re here. Anyone can come, boogie, be weird, whatever! And I promise you still won't look more insane than either of us,” adds Alex, a drag queen by night.
Bleu takes you on a brutally honest walk through her formative years in 2022’s LP ‘Grow Up,’ released by legendary label Kill Rock Stars. Breaking down pivotal moments of abuse, trauma, toxicity, and exploitation Bleu faced growing up. The writing process revealed suppressed emotions that she digested in the lyrics as well. About That’s My Kink, Bleu shares “‘You reap what you sow but you taught me to grow’ was a sentiment that I actually missed, so one day I added ‘no you didn’t’ after the line. That’s when I realized I gave my abusers credit for my growth, but they held me back for so long. And there I was thinking I was smart. Now at live shows I say ‘You reap what you sow, but you taught me what a bitch looks like’, much better right?”
While the bluntness may be a first for Chateau Chateau, they stay true to their playful ’80’s inspired synth pop, post punk, bedroom pop inspired sound. The reminders that they’ll overcome any obstacle are refreshing and reassuring. “My individuality broke you down” Bleu sings in the spunky track, ‘Pray’, to shamelessly claim her independence, resilience, and boldness. Calling out insecurities in other people, who just because they’re threatened by your irreplaceable uniqueness and confidence, try to shame you. She does everything she can to encourage herself and others to unapologetically live life however they want, because “you’re missing out” if you can’t handle a badass woman. And don’t forget, ‘while they decline, we’re in our prime’
They’ve left a glitter trail at festivals like South By Southwest and Pure Imagination, at shows supporting Bastille, Transviolet and Tangerine, and headlining handfuls of their own sold out venues!
The vulnerable, rebellious proclamation of maturing self-respect and confidence sparked a leap in the band’s overall evolution. Better than ever, Bleu and Alex continue to release music and take over the world, one crisis party at a time. Come fall 2023, Chateau Chateau steps into an era of self-assurance, secure confidence, and proud individuality as they release long awaited new music. Catch the unstoppable duo at one of their live shows this fall as they tour the west coast, or the next time they’re in your city, and see for yourself why it doesn’t take long to be enamored by their art.
Press
From the bouncing beats of "Bunny" to the 80s feel of "Heroin", Chateau Chateau explore every avenue of their artistry evoking a heavy dosage of introspection, feeling and and inescapable groove. - Wonderland.
ith its insatiable pulse and feverish bounce, Chateau Chateau’s “Pray” is the kind of song that gets stuck in your head on the very first listen... Chateau Chateau perform with an incredible pop polish – albeit one with undeniable punk undertones and DIY prowess. - Atwood Magazine
Many of their songs are dense with instrumental layers of guitar, percussion and synthesizer. The opener “Bunny” (which happens to be one of the best songs on the album) has a strutting rhythm and playful guitar, combined with Fitz’s deep vocals that manage to sound both apathetic and animated a la Amy Winehouse. - Tucson Weekly
The album [Grow Up] is gritty and real and will leave anyone who has experienced similar stories feeling overwhelmed, but in the best possible way... As the album progresses, it keeps the funky, fast-paced pop sounds throughout. Grow Up’s penultimate track is a cover of ‘Til Tuesday’s “Voices Carry,” and Bleu knocks it out of the park. The song’s 80’s funk meshes perfectly with Bleu’s raw vocals, and it will make any fan of the original smile. - Zocalo Magazine
True to their brand, the song is an upbeat and catchy indie pop tune about being walked over and taken advantage of far too many times. Despite its self-defeated demeanour, the song is irresistibly melodic and vibrant. - Dusty Organ
Although their songs explore dark subjects like mental illness, addiction, and trauma, Chateau Chateau channel their anguish into upbeat, danceable tracks packed with grim humor and messages of resilience. - The Big Takeover
Although their lyrics can be brutal in their emotional honesty, Chateau Chateau imbue their tales with a tongue-in-cheek playfulness and end each song with tenacious declarations that they will overcome any obstacle. - Amplify Music Magazine
“Push Your Luck” is a reassuring rush of fluid Punk Rock melody - The Autumn Roses
We absolutely love the amazing energy Tucson based Chateau Chateau give off in their music, it is absolutely electric. “Push Your Luck” is a catchy straight ahead speeding bullet of a song that grabs hold of you and doesn’t let go. - The Whole Kameese
Glam and glitter riot tattoo grrl Bleu attracts all attention, sonically as well as visually. She swirls and scintillates on 'I Don’t Love You Anymore', while cursing idiots who hate the LGBTQ+ community, who hate tattoos, and who actually hate anybody who doesn’t live by their rules.enjoy this jangly earworm that sticks as first-class glue and reaches an aural orgasm every time the chorus pops up.Bleu‘s vox adrenalizes and vitalizes. Her vivaciousness is contagious. This pumped-up pop gem is contagious. - Turn up the Volume
Lots of bands are making colorful nostalgia-tinged pop at the moment, but few go full on prismatic in the way Chateau Chateau manages. - YabYum music and arts
Chateau Chateau is a sparkle-fest indie pop band from Tucson. So far they've penned tightly wound dance pop, equal parts retraint and power, with all seven slender players moving into one almighty groove. And they snap, clap and whoop their songs in sweet gold lame, club kids with record collections crammed with Sparks, Byrne, Bowie, Of Montreal, Kylie Minogue, Tower of Power and Electric Six. - Tucson Weekly
Recalling the vibes of bands like Walk The Moon and Talking Heads, Crisis Party kicks off with a solid beat and bass line which will get you moving immediately. - Hype Hype
Anywho, the band is fun as heck in this song. Again, it is a ‘contrast’ within a song, with a serious subject put into a ‘fun’ packaging – the single does its best to help add to the conversation about struggles of an individual defining their personality in the face of gender roles and societal expectations. - comeherefloyd
Chateau Chateau sets some kickback synths to the serious struggle for individual identity in a changing social environment, especially on the gender-fluid-front, with “Crisis Party” and leaves me asking myself, “Why not turn your crisis into a party? - YabYum music and arts
'Evidence’ is that kind of euphoric pop cracker that gets under your skin from the get-go. Exciting guitars have an instant impact on your body’s mobility, while enticing vocals and spirited harmonies add an upbeat effect of joyousness. The colorful members of the band look like they are solid party animals and they provide the fuel to join them on the dance floor.
Their sound morphed to a glimmering, synth-based hook-driven sound that recalls A Flock of Seagulls and others... However, underneath the dance floor friendly vibes, the song’s [Evidence] narrator is in the midst of a mental breakdown, giving the song an underlying bitter irony. - The Joy of Violent Movement
The EP includes their previous singles Evidence, Driving In Circles and Burn Me Alive, that were featured on a bunch of Spotify Playlists and iTunes Charts, got airplay in the US, Canada, Germany a.o. and brought the band critically acclaimed international press. The track Times Are Changin’ is the featured album focus single of the EP. It’s a head bobbing pop-anthem with the Chateau Chateau distinctive cynical undertone. - WithGuitars
With clamoring beats and strident guitar strokes, the amply come-of-age single (Times Are Changin’) dives right into a pastel colored decadence of love and loss, where a message of recovery and return glory is in the cards. - comeherefloyd
If you listen to the song its entirety, you’ll find that Chateau Chateau isn’t just another indie pop rock band but rather one that defies the bounds of genres. - Abduction Radiation
