Bio
Leading a trail of glitter, Chateau Chateau was birthed in 2018 by Bleu and Alex. Within minutes of meeting in the Arizona desert, the contrasting duo picked up their bedazzled keytar and googly-eye guitar and began making the recognizable, cathartic indie-pop sprinkled with post punk.Over the years, the band’s style has noticeably evolved. From the synth driven, disco inspired grooves, ambiguous lyrics, and Alex’s modest vocals on 2018’s ‘Princess’, to the amplified, guitar-centric productions that spotlight brutally honest lyrics and introduce Bleu’s captivating vocals on 2022’s ‘Grow Up’. While the two have many parallel sentiments, they really began to thrive when they started using their contradictory strengths to fill in each other’s blanks, rather than trying to see eye to eye. Their songs explore dark subjects like mental illness, addiction, and trauma, with effervescent tracks packed full of grim humor and sarcasm, but always get serious to encourage proud resilience and growth.
They self-released their debut single ‘Crisis Party’, in 2018, which quickly took off on streaming platforms, featuring on playlists including Spotify’s ‘Discover Weekly’ and ‘New Music Friday’. The band quickly built a reputation, becoming known for their performances. Whether it was featuring up to nine people on stage, flamboyant, self-made costumes, giant eyeball dancers shooting confetti cannons, or one of their other wild creations, Chateau Chateau stood out. Endlessly raising their expectations, Bleu and Alex constantly perfect, evolve, and create new elements to their shows, keeping their audience on their toes.
Their inspiration has artistically come anywhere from drag icons The Boulet Brothers, to legend David Bowie. Although initially reluctant towards Alex’s colorful, sequin vision, Bleu blindly trusted his fantasy and jumped on board, sailing the glitter sea hand in hand. “We’re both reserved introverts who get to step out of our bodies and into immortal, sequin blasted humanoid lookalikes. I get to literally process through trauma with hundreds of people releasing emotion as they scream along. We live a life that we never could’ve imagined,” says Bleu, a tattoo artist by day. Their care-free, larger-than-life persona has created a comfortable space for people to show up to Chateau shows letting their freak flag fly. “Our shows (and us) will always be a safe space. Anyone can come, boogie and be weird. And you won't look more insane than either of us,” adds Alex, a drag queen by night.
In May ‘22, the band released LP ‘Grow Up’ with legendary label Kill Rock Stars. As the title implies, the album walks through Bleu’s formative years as she lets go of guilt and takes back her power. Each song is dedicated to different cases of abuse, toxicity, exploitation, that faced Bleu with pivotal decisions. Writing the trying lyrics led to unexpectedly digesting supressed emotions, and recognizing true realities, kindling an impassioned flame. On the explosive yet candidly heartbreaking lead single ‘I Don’t Love You Anymore’, she quotes the exhausted insults endured by her father, as the scaffolding for the emotionally charged call and response hook. Contrarily, ‘Ugly’ explores the epiphany she had after facing genuine isolation following the escape of a disgustingly abusive relationship. The confidence of ‘Ugly’ puts you in the feeling of long awaited change and relieving excitement, finally being in full control of your own life. “It is you who’s unfit…I know what I’m worth these days.”
The lyrics on ‘Grow Up’ have intense moments of brutal, yet satisfying honesty, but while the bluntness may be a first for Chateau Chateau, they stay true to their energized playfulness and electric sounds. From ’80’s inspired synth pop, to post punk, to bedroom pop, the band will quite literally keep you on your toes, even while you cry (because you just might). After the seemingly doom-filled ambiguity, the reminders that they’ll effortlessly overcome any obstacle, is refreshingly reassuring. “My individuality broke you down” Bleu sings in the audaciously spunky track, ‘Pray’, to shamelessly claim her independence, resilience, and boldness. The song calls out insecurities in other people, who just because they’re threatened by your irreplaceable confidence, try to shame you. Bleu does everything she can to constantly encourage herself and others to unapologetically live life however you want, because “you’re missing out” if you can’t handle a badass woman.
Refreshingly, ‘Grow Up’ is an emotionally vulnerable, rebellious and dauntless proclamation of maturing self-respect, confidence, and evolution. The fresh approach for Chateau Chateau sparked a leap in the band’s overall development. “Bleu found her voice in the songwriting process, being the one to sing her lyrics opened a door for her, and for us as a band to grow.” Alex observers. Being truly personal for the first time, the band felt intimidated in this unfamiliar territory, but Bleu knew if she had anyone to offer support or reassurance, things could’ve been so much different. The thought of her songs reaching at least one person outweighed any hesitation.The unstoppable power couple continuously prove why it doesn’t take long to be completely 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
