Features : Chrystabell Interview

It’s morning in America when Chrystabell appears on my Zoom screen. Even though it’s early for her, she greets me with a radiant smile that immediately brightens my long, screen-filled day. But beneath the warmth of our conversation, there’s also a touch of sadness. Just hours before our call, she learned her world tour had been cancelled due to the pandemic. I had prepared questions about her upcoming UK shows. Still, our chat took a fascinating turn, into her music, her striking videos, and her work with legendary director David Lynch on the updated Twin Peaks.

Over the years, Chrystabell has released four celebrated albums and collaborated with Lynch on numerous musical projects. She first emerged in the late 1990s as part of the neo-swing group 8 1/2 Souvenirs before teaming up with Lynch for a song in his 2006 film Inland Empire. Since then, they’ve continued to work together, with Chrystabell also becoming a central character in Twin Peaks. Acting may have been an unexpected turn, but music has always remained her true calling. Her latest single, Midnight Star, is a dazzling slice of space-age electro-pop, accompanied by a beautifully crafted video.

For Chrystabell, visuals are an essential part of her art. “It's imperative. Having worked with wonderful directors—one in particular who is truly extraordinary —I always felt the need to create a full experience with music. That really began for me with musicals when I was very young. I’ve always loved giving the full experience, with every element involved.”

Hailing from San Antonio, Texas, Chrystabell speaks with a rich southern drawl that adds weight and emotion to her words. She is both intense and playful, easing into our conversation with honesty and humor, admitting that video interviews have now become second nature to her. She is clearly comfortable in front of the camera, whether it’s for journalists or for her own music videos. Those latest visuals carry futuristic, space-inspired glamour while also showing a sense of fun and freedom. Midnight Star’s video was written and directed by Polish filmmaker and longtime collaborator Archon, and Chrystabell says she thrives on that creative exchange between music and film.

“Most of it comes from intuition with directors. I want to collaborate and trust that inner guidance. If I meet a director and feel that spark—that cosmic yes—I know I’m in. Once that happens, I let them take creative control and run with it. I want them to go wild and experiment.”

As a singer, actor, and model, Chrystabell’s career has been marked by variety, and she credits that diversity with shaping her fearless approach to visual storytelling. “I’ve always loved photography and modeling, going with photographers to unusual places and creating something different. With visuals, it’s about trusting the director and letting them explore freely. Collaboration excites me. Sure, there’s a part of me that wants to look glamorous and beautiful, but I don’t want to be boxed in. You have to push yourself to step outside of that. When everyone is bringing that collective energy, the magic happens. My attitude is let’s go with it, and I’ll figure it out.”

Her tour had been scheduled to bring her to Glasgow, Edinburgh, Brighton, and London in February. The cancellation was particularly hard to accept, as she had just returned from performing in Europe. Still, she’s grateful for the chance to have recently performed in Novi Sad, Serbia, during the city’s celebrations as one of the European Capitals of Culture for 2022. She reflects on it with joy: “We performed in this breathtaking centuries-old Gothic church. The priest had to approve the performance, and we were the first band ever to play electrified music there. It was spectacular, and now it feels even more meaningful. Everything about that trip was a triumph. Over these past years, some magical moments have happened against all odds, and that makes them so special. When we do get back to regular gigs, we won’t take them for granted—it will make those experiences even richer.”

She admits the pandemic has taught her to live with more awareness and appreciation. “I’m definitely more focused now on appreciating every moment for what it is. We never know what’s coming, so perspective is everything. You choose where you lean and what you lean into. Every day is an opportunity to discover something new. For me, fulfillment comes from how much richness I take from an experience in the moment. My career has given me glamorous highs and disappointing lows, but it’s really a choice to make each moment meaningful. That’s what matters.”

Chrystabell has also noticed how audiences respond differently around the world. Before the pandemic, some crowds, especially in cities like London or Paris, could feel more reserved, perhaps because audiences there are spoiled for choice. By contrast, she recalls the excitement in places like Kosovo or Moscow, where the energy is palpable. With her tour postponed, she plans to use the extra time to rethink her shows and consider ways to bring the bold, otherworldly visuals of her videos into her live performances. When the concerts finally happen, they promise to be more spectacular than ever, turning this delay into a blessing in disguise.