Claire Chicha (born July 12, 1997),[1][2] is a French-Korean-American singer-songwriter, known by her stage name Spill Tab (stylized as spill tab). An alternative pop musician, she has been noted by music media outlets for her lo-fi vocals and sound.
Early life
Born to an Algerian father and a Korean mother, Chicha has spent time growing up in Paris, Los Angeles, and Bangkok.[3][4]
Career
Tour managing and Oatmilk (2019–2020)
Based in Los Angeles, Chicha first ventured into the music industry working as an A&R intern, and merchandise manager for her close friend Gus Dapperton.[4][5][6] She released her debut single, "Decompose", in September 2019.[7] Shortly after, her music began gaining some traction at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.[5][8] In December 2020, she released the track "name" and its accompanying music video, in addition to her debut EP Oatmilk.[5][9] The EP features production work from David Marinelli, her main collaborator.[10][5]
Bonnie (2021–2022)
In January 2021, NME included her on their "NME 100" list highlighting emerging artists.[11] Later in the year, the publication would write a profile on her as part of their Breakout series covering emerging artists.[4] In March, she released the single "Pistolwhip".[12] In April, she released the single "Anybody Else".[13] She featured on Posse EP Vol. 1, a collaborative EP by Metronomy.[14] In September, she released the single "Grade A" featuring Jawny.[15] In December, she released the EP Bonnie. It featured collaborations with Gus Dapperton, Jawny, and Tommy Genesis.[16] The EP was originally set to release in October.[4] A music video for "Velcro" featuring Dappteron was released the following February.[17][18]
Chicha's profile increased in 2022, during which she was often touring.[19] In January, Complex highlighted her as an artist "to watch in 2022".[8]
Klepto (2022–present)
In March and May, she released the singles "Sunburn" and "Splinter", respectively.[20][21]The Fader included the latter among their monthly listing of top rock songs.[22] She partnered with American Eagle Outfitters for their "Back-to-School" campaign on the TikTok SoundOn platform.[23] In October, Chicha was announced as a performer for the 2023 SXSW festival.[24] In their announcement, SXSW called spill tab one of 2022's "buzziest artists."[25] Chicha has previously performed for French brands Hermés and YSL.[25][26] She performed in August for the latter's live sessions at Saint Laurent Rive Droite.[27] In November, she released the single "Crème Brûlée".[28] Also in November, Chicha featured on Mac Wetha's "Play Pretend" track.[29]
In January 2023, she was featured on the single "Borderline Insane" with Matilda Mann.[30] In February 2023, she was featured on the track "Cockpit" by Billy Lemos, alongside Binki and Harve.[31] In March 2023, she released the single "Window".[32] On July 20, 2023, she released her third EP, Klepto.[33]
The Washington Post's Anying Guo has written that Chicha and Marinelli go beyond "run-of-the-mill bedroom pop", with Chicha quiet and often-layered vocals "[slicing] through dreamy, electro-dance ready introspections."[10][n 1] Marinelli's production on spill tab tracks fuse various genres such as R&B and electro-pop.[10] Brenton Blanchet of Complex has called Chicha’s music "undeniably sticky", describing her brand of pop as "vocal-layered, sunny-yet-sometimes-angsty, and melody-fueled."[8] A French-Korean, Chicha often sings in French, such as on "Calvaire".[10] Chicha also plays the guitar and ukelele.[19]
^While some sources refer to Spill Tab as a joint act between Chicha and Marinelli, and Chicha has referred to Marinelli as her main collaborator, other sources refer to "Spill Tab" as an individual singer or artist.[8][16][7]