Chris Mears speaks to aTEEN about his debut single

Gorgeous Chris Mears is Most certainly a talented chap. Not only can he pull off a pair of swimming trunks with style (oh we’d love it if he would), but he’s now turning his hand to being a dance producer. And guess what? He’s really good at it! aTEEN caught up with the dashing diver to talk about his new single Mexico, Calvin Harris stripping off and the weird messages he gets from fans – take a look an an exclusive snippet below…

So Chris, tell us about Mexico… Was a visit to Mexico inspiration for the track?

Yeah, so I was out in Mexico for a diving competition with the team, and weirdly I had MAJOR support out there, arguably more so than here in the UK. It’s one of my favourite countries, and so coming away from there it left its mark on me and the track kind of just came together.

How did you set about producing it?

I was already writing and producing, and ended up collaborating with my friend Karl Michael on the vocals, and then Universal Music decided we should release it in Latin America as I already have a good fan base out there, and then when my diving schedule is a bit less hectic and I have a bit more time on my hands, we can share my music with the UK and the rest of the world.

Could there be a follow up called Bromley?

Haha, imagine! If I ever head down there and get the same support and inspiration, I’ll put pen to paper and I’ll give you guys some royalties when the track is released.

How hands-on are you with the track? Do you have collaborators?

Really hands-on, I think you have to be. The track becomes your baby. I have a small team I like to work with but I’m so keen to work with new and exciting vocalists for the top line on my tracks.

Is music your big love now?

It has been for a while, when I’m not in the pool I’m usually in the studio, it’s relaxing and cathartic. It’s like diving, you can sort of get lost in it, and it’s nice to be able to throw yourself into something that isn’t a swimming pool.

How important is diving still? Are you looking to the future?

Diving is my focus for now, it has to be – Rio is so close! London 2012 felt like yesterday but we’re just over a year away from the next Olympics and I’m so excited for that. Nothing has changed in that respect, I’ve just been blessed with the opportunity to explore something else that I love as well – just trying to find the right balance you know?

Is it easy for people to take you seriously as music star?

I really hope so, we’ll have to wait and see. I just hope that when I DJ, people can see the authenticity behind it. the same when they hear my music. It’s not me turning up and pressing play then waving at the crowd like some celebrities do.

Have you heard your track played in public? What was the reaction From the crowd?

I was in Mexico doing an interview on their biggest station and they had an exclusive first play of my track and that was SO surreal, knowing that millions all over the country were listening to my track. Some of the divers were away recently on a trip too and they sent me a video of them all singing along in the car when it came on the radio. Can’t describe that feeling!

What’s the dream? To be the next Calvin Harris?

I guess in some respects, yeah. He’s had such a remarkable career that I could only hope to even slightly mirror! I’m so jealous of some of the collaborations he’s done too!

What did you make of his recent underwear shoot – do you think you can take him on in the advertising stakes.

Where did that body come from, huh? He’s been working hard and I’m sure Rita Ora is kicking herself now! I’d love to do a campaign at some stage, underwear, swimwear – whatever!

You’ve already got pop star looks – do you want to be the face of your music or are you happy to stay behind the scenes?

I’d like to achieve something in the middle! I want to be able to grab a pint of milk at the local store without being mobbed, but also there’s nothing worse than having to explain who you are to people in an awkward cringey way.

Chris’s track Mexico (feat. Karl Michael) will be available on Universal later in the year but for now, you can hear it on Soundcloud.

You can read the full interview with Chris in the new issue aTEEN, available to download now from Pocketmags.com/aTEEN. The issue also includes interviews with the likes of Harry Judd, Years & Years, Ben Cohen, Chris Mears, and TOWIE’s Vas Morgan.

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