Alan Chapell is an expert in privacy for digital media. But more importantly for this blog, he’s an upcoming singer and songwriter to watch. His music has been streamed over 1,5 million times and counting. Influenced by the ‘80s and ‘90s, he prides himself on using small stories as a vehicle to paint broader messages about life. Storytelling drives both Chapell’s writing and his live show – drawing comparisons to Jonathan Richman and Elvis Costello.

Chapell’s live performances are gaining notoriety by the minute. He’s been invited to play with Gin Blossoms, Everclear, Lisa Loeb, Bighead Todd, Iron Butterfly and A Flock Of Seagulls, to name but a few.

A prolific artist, When Sally Left is Chapell’s 11^th new track of this year so far. It’s a catchy tune about a girl who married at a young age to an older man. Spoiler alert: it doesn’t have a happy ending.

Is it a true story? We’ll probably never know. On Instagram, Chapell writes: “As a songwriter, I get to take certain liberties with the truth. Sometimes I make up an entire lyrical narrative as if from whole cloth. In many songs, I change details in order to the protect the innocent – and to help make sure I don’t get a punch in the nose from someone who’s unhappy with how I’ve depicted them. (: And sometimes, the story is entirely autobiographical – in that it all took place within the orbit of my social circle. (…) It’s kind of fun to keep everyone guessing….”

When Sally Left by Chapell is the new Carte Blanche Music Wildcard. It will be prominently displayed at the top of the blog for an entire week.

Follow Chapell on Facebook | Instagram | X | Spotify

In the Wildcards 2024 playlist you’ll find all of this year’s Carte Blanche Music Wildcards so far.

Werner Schlosser

I’m a music industry watcher and journalist. Worked at a CD club, a record store chain and was editor in chief of an entertainment trade magazine. Have been in the radio business since 1987, producing and presenting shows. Was music director of several stations. Also, I developed the European Border Breakers Chart, Music Moves Europe Talent Chart and ESNS Chart. CEO of Werner Bros. tekst | uitleg.