Texas-born singer, songwriter, and producer Chance Peña is carving out an assured new chapter in his artistry with the release of his highly anticipated sophomore album, 'When I Change My Mind I Don’t Mean It', available now via Columbia Records. Written and recorded in a secluded California mountain cabin alongside collaborators Hayd and Sarcastic Sounds, the 14-track project embodies the creative freedom and quiet surrender that shaped its creation.
Surrounded by snow and isolation, Chance found some of his most poignant and expansive songs to date, all anchored by his poetic storytelling and emotive vocals. From the heartfelt, road-worn ballad 'West of Ohio' to the haunting meditation on anxiety 'Wolves of Worry', the record channels the depth of his songwriting into a timeless sound that has positioned him as one of the most magnetic young voices in music today.
Following his acclaimed 2024 debut, 'Ever-Shifting, Continual Blossoming', this new release builds on Chance’s wide-ranging musicality and follows on from his work as a Grammy Award-winning and Gold-certified songwriter. We caught up with the busy artist ahead of his upcoming tour dates with The Lumineers and Tom Odell, plus his headline shows in Australia, to discuss everything from his musical beginnings and key influences to his unique songwriting process and what’s next for him.
Thanks so much for joining us today! It's great to be able to dig into the new album and your career so far. When did you first start making music?
"I think I was 11 when I started writing my own music, and I started producing my own stuff when I was 15."
What inspired you to start your journey into music? Was there a key moment for you?
"I really don’t know exactly what it was. It was just something that was inside of me, and it came out naturally. I don’t remember a specific moment where I was like, “Alright, time to start making music.” It was always just a part of my life for as long as I can remember."
What musical influences most define your sound?
"I’d say folk music like Townes Van Zandt and The Lumineers as well as old blues music."
How would you describe your current sound, especially with the new album?
I’d say it’s a little folky with some blues thrown in there, at least the stuff I’m working on now. I’ll let folks decide what to call the songs that are out now.
Can you tell us a bit more about your latest album, 'When I Change My Mind I Don’t Mean It'?
"This last album, at the time, was the culmination of everything I’d been working on up until that point. I’m very proud of how it turned out, and I just can’t wait to make another album. Already started working on it."
Could you share some insight into your songwriting process? How does it all come together?
"It was all just sporadic. Sometimes I have something I need to say, sometimes I’ll be playing chords, and words just come out. I always just try to pay attention to when I’m feeling inspired so I can catch something when it strikes."
What’s the most important thing for you when you’re writing a song?
"Patience and quiet. I need time to think and feel when I’m writing, and I’m learning to allow myself to let it breathe and not rush to the finish line. Sometimes it takes me 40 minutes to write a song, and sometimes it takes a couple of weeks."
What’s next for you as an artist?
"More music and more tours! And some downtime with family and nature in between."
Do you have anything you would like to say to our readers?
"Love yourself and other people the way you want to be loved. Trust yourself and don’t be afraid to be yourself at all times."
As Chance Peña prepares for a packed year of touring across North America, Europe, and Australia, it’s clear that his commitment to genuine, boundary-pushing music is paying off. From the quiet surrender that birthed his new album to his advice on living authentically, Chance remains a magnetic and thoughtful voice in contemporary music.
You can find the full list of dates on Chance's website here, and for more, connect with him on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and X.
