Blending indie-pop flair with a rich tapestry of influences, Chavar Dontae draws on his Brazilian heritage, Midwest roots, and Los Angeles experience to craft a sound that’s both bold and deeply human. Since breaking out with his 2019 EP Keep My Cool—a genre-bending mix of vibrant synth pop and smooth R&B that climbed the iTunes Alternative Chart—Dontae has shared stages with the likes of Billie Eilish, Mike Posner, Rise Against, and Run The Jewels. His latest project, Too Much, is a dynamic five-track collection that moves effortlessly from soulful hooks to infectious indie-rock riffs, offering an uplifting, melody-rich journey that reflects both his cultural background and his gift for storytelling. We caught up with Chavar and talked to him about songwriting and production.
Q: In your opinion, what are the essential qualities that make a “good songwriter”?
(A:) I think real passion for music and honesty are the essentials. Technically, strong melodies and compelling subject matter are key, along with a solid understanding of song structure.
Q: What is the basis for writing attention-grabbing music in this day and age?
(A:) Structurally, I've noticed shorter intros or starting with the chorus grabs attention. A strong melody—whether in the verse, chorus, or a brief intro instrumental—hooks listeners fast.
Q: Can you pinpoint some specific songs and songwriters that changed the way you write music?
(A:) Beyond my jazz and classical roots, these songs transformed my songwriting and production. This list is ever-evolving.
Jimi Hendrix - Axis Bold as Love
Prince - I Could Never Take The Place of Your Man
Genesis - Land Of Confusion
Thomas Dolby - She Blinded Me With Science
Imogen Heap - Hide and Seek
Q: Do you find it hard to be inspired by your peers? Can you name any new artists you find inspiring?
(A:) I find inspiration everywhere and stay open to new sounds. I really dig Clairo, Dijon, Mk.gee, Lola Young, and Kacy Hill. Each has a unique voice.
Q: For your new EP, Too Much, what inspired the lyrical content, album title, and overall vibe?
(A:) The lyrical content came from hope despite feeling isolated in a crowded space filled with opportunistic people who seemingly only cared about me while I was helping them. The EP title, Too Much, reflects that feeling. A lyric in the song Too Much explains it: “I always knew they had a way of deceiving and part of me wants to trust and believe it.”
Q: Do you find that you ruminate over writing songs and hold on to them for a long time before including them on a record? Or do you prefer to write them, release them, and be done with them? Do you ever re-visit old material to do a re-write or once it’s done it’s done?
(A:) For me, it’s a mix. Rain was a chorus I wrote years ago and later completed. I’ll Be Fine was the last song I wrote for the EP on January 1 this year. We mixed the EP in LA two weeks later. Unless it’s an instrumental or a song I think is suited for another artist, I usually don’t revisit older songs. However, I have several unreleased, fully recorded songs I’m considering releasing as demos or as stripped-down versions.
Q: Were there any lessons you learned in the writing and recording process for your current release that you will take with you into your next project?
(A:) Each recording reflects my ever-evolving journey through this sometimes brutal yet beautiful life. I’m learning to be more vulnerable, letting the music flow naturally in my writing. Technically, I’ve improved at recording and preparing tracks for mixing, making the mix and mastering engineers’ (Dylan Ely and Steve ‘B’ Baughman) jobs easier. It’s more enjoyable when we focus on making songs sonically beautiful, not fixing errors.