Chantelle, before taking up singing you were already an accomplished pianist. Why didn't you pursue that further?
Chantelle Ernandez: "Well, I think this path chose me rather than me choosing it. I've been writing songs ever since I was a little girl and it was always great to have the piano there to accompany me as it gave structure and melody to what I was doing. I've never really neglected it and I still use the piano whenever I'm composing a new song. I do not play it on stage however, because that just terrifies me! (laughs)"
You're not dreaming of becoming a Jamaican Alicia Keys then?
Chantelle Ernandez: "Not really, no. I never say never though, so it's possible I might still take that leap in the future."
Do you feel it's important as a singer also being able to play an instrument of some kind?
Chantelle Ernandez: "I do, yes, as it helps you a lot when you have to collaborate with other musicians or even producers. I think it helps you to create better, more relatable music than a computer ever will be able to."
Before you embarked on a solo career, you worked as a harmony singer for a whole host of Jamaican artists (Prezident Brown, Max Romeo, Norris Man, Jah Mason, Fantan Mojah, Perfect, Lutan Fyah, Anthony Cruz, Chuck Fenda, Natty King, ...). From that long list, who had a more lasting influence?
Chantelle Ernandez: "There I'd have to answer Toots Hibbert. I grew up listening to a lot of different music, ranging from reggae over r&b and soul to jazz and Toots is one of those artists who have a similar background in that aspect, so I definitely have more of a link with him as I do with other artists I've worked with. The same goes for some of the producers I've worked with; Genis 'Genious' Trani of Reggaeland and Curtis Lynch from Necessary Mayhem for example."
Having that diverse musical taste, do you mind being labeled a reggae artiste?
Chantelle Ernandez: "It's not so much that I mind being labeled a reggae artiste, but I just think it's better to be honest about what you are doing. When most people think about reggae, they think of roots reggae and my music is much more a fusion of different styles in the reggae spectrum. Some might call it reggae r&b; others will prefer reggae soul."
Working as a harmony singer could have provided you with an easy and steady income. Why was it important for you to start a solo career?
Chantelle Ernandez: "Even before I started out as a harmony singer, I already knew that one day I would do my own thing. Singing harmonies for all these different artists was a learning curve and a stepping stone for what I am doing now. Life is about evolving and growing in what you are doing."
'Gimme What's Mine' is presented as being your debut album, but you already recorded an album a couple of years ago which for some reason was never released.
Chantelle Ernandez: "That album was produced by Toots Hibbert and I can't really tell you why it hasn't been released yet. Toots is a perfectionist though and I know he's changed the instrumentals of some of the tracks several times already. He's also an artist in his own right, so I guess I'm not always the first thing on his mind either. I guess he's waiting for the right moment to release it."
You were also involved in a Jamaican-Japanese project called UNITZz.
Chantelle Ernandez: "That project evolved out of Sly & Robbie working with Sony Music Japan. We took so-called J-pop songs, Japanese pop songs, translated them to English and fused them with reggae. The group UNITZz consists of myself, Kibaki, who's a deejay, Scantana, who's a rapper and Stephanie, who's another vocalist. The first album we did ('J Paradise', Phase One, 2009, red.) stayed at the top of the Japanese charts for about twelve weeks."
How exactly did you link up with the guys of Reggaeland in Barcelona?
Chantelle Ernandez: "I met Marcus (Sanchez, red.) years ago; whenever I was touring with Max Romeo, he was always the promoter for our shows in Spain. We pretty much hit it off from the get-go; meeting him was like meeting someone I already knew for years. I never really let there be any doubt about the fact I wanted to work with him."
You chose to name the album 'Gimme What's Mine'; a strong statement.
Chantelle Ernandez: "That song is a bit sexually suggestive in nature. I've had quite a few experiences with men in the past, trying to tell me what they are good at in bed, but when the time comes for them to prove what they are worth, they can't! (laughs) Now, as an album title, I wanted to stress that I've paid my dues in this business; I've been working as a singer since I was sixteen years old. Over the years I've been disrespected, denied opportunities and overlooked at times and with this album I'm now claiming my place in the business."
Where were the different tracks on the album recorded?
Chantelle Ernandez: "I recorded a number of them in Jamaica at Tuff Gong and the others were recorded in Marcus' studio in Barcelona."
Jamaica is celebrating its 50th year of independence this year. What did that anniversary mean to you as a young Jamaican woman?
Chantelle Ernandez: "I wasn't born yet when Jamaica became independent, but I was raised by my grandmother who still grew up in colonial times. As a child, I often listened to her tales about the Jamaica of her youth. I think Jamaica is a young and vibrant country that has overcome a lot of strife and tribulation. Even with all the bad things going on in Jamaica these days, we still have a lot to be thankful for. That's something that in my opinion really defines Jamaican people; even though things might be falling down around us, we still will find a reason to celebrate!"