For the uninitiated, the worlds of video games and underground electronic music might seem a million miles apart, but for the London-based producer, vocalist and DJ, Coucou Chloe, these seemingly disparate elements have formed an essential part of her creative endeavours. From the arpeggio-heavy synthesisers of Final Fantasy’s Nobuo Matsuo to the harpsichord-laden realms of Croc, the France-born artist has managed to weave these under-appreciated sonic soundscapes into the foundations of her bass-heavy experimental productions. With warped synths and deadpan vocals that ooze effortless cool, there is an amusing cognitive dissonance in imagining a younger version of the artist mashing game controllers while fan-girling over Tomb Raider’s Lara Croft.

A member of the Nuxxe collective and based in London since 2016, Chloe has amassed an impressive resume of creative collaborations over the years, teaming up with Shygirl, Eartheater, Sega Bodega, and even earning remix credits on Lady Gaga’s Dawn of Chromatica project. Yet despite these high-profile projects and rising profile in the industry, Chloe exudes a sense of mystery and misconceptions, spending her time producing club-heavy beats all the while maintaining an ambivalence to clubbing, or surprising people with her open and friendly nature despite her dark aesthetic.

GATA took the chance to chat with the artist after her recent collaboration with Paris-based fashion label Bleeding Aces, touching on her love of soundtracks, new music projects and her favourite video games of all time.

GATA: Hi Chloe! How’s summer treating you so far?

COUCOU CHLOE: It’s been a productive summer.

GATA: When you need a break from music, what’s your go-to fun escape?

COUCOU CHLOE: I play video games at home or go arcade. Sometimes I like to sit and spend some time in my head.

GATA: We love that Bleeding Aces has such a distinctive game-inspired aesthetic — should we talk about games? What were your favorite games as a child?

COUCOU CHLOE: There was many actually. I had quite a lot of obsessive phases over a lot of very different video games. Bloody Roar, Jersey Devil and Metal Gear Solid really marked me. Dino Crisis too. Tenchu. Croc. Worms. Halo idk too many.

GATA: Video game soundtracks can be so melancholic and beautiful that they stick in our memory almost like childhood moments. Are there any soundtracks you love or remember with special affection?

COUCOU CHLOE: You’re right. It’s a memory that sticked with me and that continues to warp. My favorites on the top of my head are Croc, Undertale, Final Fantasy, Ico and Fez. The Digimon one too.