Meet Chris And Ric Chandler | The musical duo ‘Lung’

We had the good fortune of connecting with Chris And Ric Chandler and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Chris and Ric, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
For Chris and I, it’s a calling that began at a very early age. We are sure it is the often same for most artists or creatives.

I started playing the drums with plastic drumsticks in front of the TV when i was almost 4 years old and Chris was performing dance and singing shows to her family and Neighbors from 6 years old. The calling we have makes it that you can never ignore it and you are naturally driven to pursue this calling and take it as far as you can.

When becoming professionals this calling grew even stronger when we truly realized the power of music on people’s life.

After a show, people come to us to share their most intimate thoughts about how our music has impacted their lives. It is a true honor and something which cannot be ignored or taken for granted. It becomes the fuel of why you keep creating and performing.

We feel we are in a very privileged situation where we can take people out of their normal day to day life and make them dream, give them joy, or for some, it can heal them and change their life for the best. What music, or any other art, can bring in the life and heart of people, is sacred, It has to be highly respected and honored. Giving is a good start.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Chris: I feel that the most obvious thing that sets me apart from others, is that I was born French, in Bondy (93), about 7 miles away from Paris, but I have been living in the United States for now already 12 years. This always opens the door to some interesting encounters, anywhere that may be! The conversations are always enlightening, filled with humanity, kindness and curiosity. I never saw myself only as a -French- artist though, I would find this too reductive because I don’t think where you are born really matters, What matters isn’t necessarily the language we speak, but I believe that what truly matters is the love that you give out there in the hope to inspire people, to encourage them and to make them dreaming, Painting for example, isn’t a language, but it speaks volume to people. When I moved from Paris to London, were we lived for 5 years, I had no idea that I would someday have to overcome 9 years of continuous proceedings with our immigration to America. It was a totally unexpected, very long and extremely testing journey, to say the least. I am very proud of us both to have since become permanent residents of the United States of America. All this legally! It is I believe, “A tour de force”, an amazing achievement. My beginnings were not easy at all because I didn’t know a soul in the music industry. I really didn’t know where to start, but at the same time I had in me this strong conviction that was telling me to have no fear and go out there to make some music. It was exciting and scary because I had understood by then, that there was no turning back. In the early stages of my career I was blessed to cross path on this tortuous road with Jean Soullier; A brilliant French producer, songwriter and guitarist. Together we signed my first record deals, Warner , then we had another deal with BMG and then Sony. Jean was the one who brought me my first electric guitar. It was a black Fender Stratocaster. To this day I when I play with an electric, it is with a Fender. guitar. My favorite to play with is a Fender Mustang. » She has » an amazing 1950’s retro mist blue color and sounds fantastic!

One of the many challenges I had to overcome, was that i felt very lonely in France with the music I wanted to sing and play.
I had enough of hearing that my voice was raspy, or too this or that. I guess maybe we can all agree that France is not exactly famous for rock music! So, against all odds, I took my dreams, my voice and my guitar to England where I started performing in my native French. When I started touring in the UK I did not meet or hear about anyone else at the time, performing in French in England! It is a country I absolutely love. The British audience, like the American audience, have an impressive music culture. Both countries have been very supportive since day 1. What a true honor.

England is also where I recorded all my first records as a solo artist, Some of my most inspirational artists are from there; David Bowie, Nigel Kennedy, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Robert Plant and Led Zeppelin, Freddie Mercury and Queen, Black Sabbath, The Clash,The Who, Pink Floyd etc… Now that I am living in America, my thirst for learning and discovery doesn’t seem to be quenched any time soon! When I arrived here I thought I knew this country. I knew nothing. For speaking I also had to readjust to American English that has a different vocabulary and a different prononciation. I had to learn about how the fun really goes and where. I have read tons of biographies and American history books, visited museums, watched movies and documentaries of all sorts. I have discovered more American music than I could have ever dreamt of! I have learned a lot also from my other most inspirational artist musicians, who are Americans: Ella Fitzgerald, Etta James, Aretha Franklin, Quincy Jones, Vince Gill, Otis Redding, Loretta Lynn, Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson, Patsy Cline, Joni Mitchell, Janis Joplin, Marvin Gaye, Michael Jackson, Stevie Nicks, Sam Cooke, Big Mama Thornton, Madonna, Al Green, Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Hank Williams, Ernest Tubb, James Brown, Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan, Patti Smith, Brandi Carlile, Lady Gaga,, .. etc. Through digging deeper into American culture, music, history and society, I have discovered lots of music and great stories. For example, I have learnt whilst reading Willie Nelson’s beautiful autobiography, “it’s a long story”, that he wrote this incredible song, “Crazy”, made legendary by Patsy Cline. I need to spend a fair amount of time reading books, going out exploring and listening to musical references suggested by people.
The learning part is as I see it a politeness towards my American family, friends and people. The more I know about America and its People, the more my love grow. That’s why we wish to be part of the story, in our own way.

The name -Lung- means, The Mystical Dragon in Chinese. It is the name of my father who is half French and half Chinese. His father was Chinese from Canton. His mother was French. Incredible story, but probably too long to share here.. in short, I am very impressed by my grandfather’s journey and wanted to honor that. As an artist, proudly I carry the name of my father and grandfather’.
In English obviously lung means lung. It is the breathing, the oxygen , it is Life

Living full time for more than 2 years, in an RV was quite the personal and social experiment! We have been traveling from Coast to Coast and by the North, and by the Mid West and to the South. Living full time in our 1983- 24 Ft Chevy jamboree RV, wasn’t exactly as we had seen it at the movies! It was not -“yeah! Let’s park there it’s perfect for sunset!” There was stricts regulations and laws. places where you could park and some places where it was not allowed. We had to learn quickly! It was humbling and fascinating all at once. Surprising often! It was a whole new mind set, again. A constant challenge. Exhausting at times you may think, and you are right but, it is so exciting too. Way more exciting than exhausting! It’s only when we came here to live that I started to think at what was the reason why American people are so open minded or why there are so many impressive entrepreneurs and creators, coming from here. it is maybe because the country is so vaste, that the perspectives and thinking are too. It is immense!
It is here that we decided to start our own label “Octopus wreckords” based in NYC. A few months ago we started as well our own publishing company: “Octopus publishing” .There is another important step we took recently, with creating our own children’s non-profit, “Little Angels”. We created it to help underprivileged children having a better life and education. Since then, part of our income is now invested into” Little Angels” , in addition to some donations we regularly receive from people who trust and support us on this journey. For our first charity effort, we decided to work locally and have teamed up with the “Florida Keys Children’s Shelter” . What these people do for the children is remarkable. It is for Ric and I another new learning experience.

Next year 2025, we will be releasing our new album and some other projects we are also currently working on.
It looks like there is a really busy year ahead of us! So many people we meet on our journey are asking all the time- “What happened after that ? what did you do at this point? We want to know more!” After a while it inspired me to start writing the book of our story coming from Europe to America. It became unavoidable, and I am very grateful for that. Because writing songs is one thing but since I was a child I also know I want to write, and not only songs.
This experience of coming out of our comfort zone has definitely opened new horizons and creativity. It made us both feel more brave than ever and fearless.

I think failure should be taught about in schools, because it is the poison and the antidote. Failure is powerful and refines things.
When you don’t back down and get back on the saddle, even when the fall still hurts a little, that’s when the fun really starts!

It feels like I am constantly learning, What I am learning doesn’t usually come with a ribbon. The lessons aren’t easy to take but what I have learned from them so far, I treasure it! Among those things, I now know for sure that the American dream is very much alive. it’s so stimulating. The American people’s sense of celebration is so unique and wonderful.
I have learned the hard way sometimes, to listen more closely to my instinct. Once when looking back, I realized that each time I listened to my first instinct, I was not wrong, but I have made mistakes each and every time I didn’t listen to it. We come a long way, but what feels truly amazing, it is this constant curiosity and excitement.

Now, as the incredible Quincy Jones used to say: “Keep on keeping on”!

I agree with this quote because the journey is definitely worth the ride, so keep following your dreams!

For me Ric, our Art Lung isn’t just about music, its about our story and spreading a positive message of what we believe in and messages people all over the world can relate to, such as beating addiction or expressing the overload we now have from the internet etc……….

Our (Lung) uniqueness is Chris’s voice, which is very unique sounding and my drumming style, production style , all of which gives us our unique sound. Every great and successful band has their Robert Plant, Freddie Mercury, David Bowie , that as soon as you hear them you know who it is, Chris has that for Lung, and that is very rare. The Same for the drums, you hear John Bohnam, Stew Copeland , Ginger Baker, you know who it is, i think i have that from years of being self taught apart from technique lessons.

I,m very proud that i have toured the world with No1 selling artists Modern English, Calvin Harris, Gary Numan, Amy Studt, Tricky, etc……as a drummer/Musical Director which to get to that place was years of hard work, practicing drums 8-12 hours a day for about 8 years, 3 floors underground in a basement rehearsals studio in Nottingham , England, a lot of goal setting and constructive visualization and a lot of love, grace, discipline and guidance from the Big man upstairs.

In search of success i moved from Nottingham to London, and was part of the session scene for 8 years, then moved to Glasgow to work with an artist called Rico, then moved back to London , then to the USA, Miami with Chris all in pursuit of success. Success being to be making a living from only our own music, full time. Not fame!!

The lessons i have learned on the never ending journey of music,is to enjoy the journey, not just the destination, because the journey can be brutal sometimes and when you make one of your milestone goals you realise that they are not the be and end all of everything, and usually not what you expected, so you had better enjoy the journey no matter how tough it can be to always be happy and keep that childlike curiosity.

Our story (Lung) is showing people that the American dream is still alive if you belive and work hard, We came here to the USA with $7,000.00 only, just enough to buy an RV and the music gear we needed, we travelled the whole country playing music, and now play 5-6 nights a week in the Florida Keys, and tour in the USA with our own Music, to get to that place was a lot of vvery very hard work and determination, we continue the journey to make a living only from our own music, that is our dream and goal for next year.

We started a non-profit called Little Angels , which we raise money for Children in the USA and give it to organizations that do great work , like St Judes hospital and the Childrens shelter in the Keys. Thats us doing our part to give a bit back of what we have, becuase we both come from very tough upbringing. That is important to us to help those less fortunate than us.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Chris: When in Miami we adore spending time in the Cuban district, Calle ocho. We love the music, the atmosphere, the food.
When in this area we love going to the Thai restaurant “lung Haï” , not because of the name, but because the food is there delicious. It is an authentic Thai joint. We usually tend to support local and small businesses.
We often have a little weakness when in Calle ocho, we cannot leave without indulging on some freshly made churros covered in chocolate and dulce de leche! “Le tub” in Hollywood beach, on the bay side, serves the best- and enormous- burgers we have ever eaten since we live in America. Like when Johnny Cash sang “I’ve been everywhere..” We have been traveling quite a lot and no matter where we went and tried some burgers, The “le tub” burgers are still unbeatable.! They also come with homemade fries. Total treat! The prices there are really honest and the view on the sunset is magical. Ric took me to my first baseball game to see the Marlins. It was such a blast! I adored the experience. We love going for breakfast at “Giorgio bakery & café”. It is on the water and it looks so perfect in the morning. Perfect way to wake up nicely. I love the Vizcaya museum and gardens, the Pérez art museum and the museum of contemporary art. We were astonished by visiting the Coral castle museum that features a house built from coral rock by Edward Leedskalninn. He built it out of love for a woman who never set foot in the marvel he had built for her. Fascinating place. Going cycling in the Everglades at Shark Valley bike path is pure joy! So beautiful.
I have great admiration for the Coral Gables area, architecture, native plants and huge trees. It’s like time traveling when there.

In the Keys we love sometimes to go to the “Island grill “monthly full moon party it’s always so much fun, on the water, great live music, and you can eat sushis all made right in front of you! There is also a BBQ so the choice is yours. For diner we love Zaïka, an authentic Indian restaurant in Key Largo. So delicious. Another place we love is “the conch house” Their food is very fresh and good. It is one of our favorite spots to brainstorm about our projects and plans. “Lido 73” in Tavernier is great too! Authentic Italian cuisine with a stunning view on the water.

The Florida Keys museum is also a place you want to visit before sharing a cocktail on the beach “chez Pierre” in Islamorada.
There, the view on sunset is just perfect. We also love listening to live music and have a bite at “Snooks”.

For me Ric when people come to visit, we take them to see the Alligators in the Everglades, a Marlins baseball game, a visit to Windwood Walls art distric and definitely some time on Hollywood beach, eating at Le Tub restaurant , which does amazing burgers.

In the keys we would go Kyaking in the mangroves in Marathon then stop at Burdines for lunch, also eat at the Island Grill in Islamorada, and a food trip the the Cuban area in Miami

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
For me Chris, It was a combination of different mentors met along the way at different stages of my life and career, The people i call my mentors are not all part of the music or film industry; but by their work and-or- the way they lead their life; have always helped me to keep on keeping on, There are three people in particular that I would love to mention here more personally

1- My mother who always encouraged me to cultivate my differences and reminded me to take risks which is not usually what parents want for their children! This gave me a sense of freedom,
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2-
3- Nigel Kennedy British a virtuoso violinist , producer and songwriter. When he contacted me to collaborate on some songwriting with him I could’t believe it! Nigel is an absolute genius and an incredibly kind and generous human being. This collaboration was amazing. The writing and recording came with another treat, in the form of meeting and co-writing with Xantoné Blacq, an extremely talented vocalist, pianist, songwriter, and producer. He had also in his career, the honor to have played the piano and singing backing vocals for Amy Winehouse. Writing and recording with Nigel and Xantoné, but also with the incredibly gifted musicians on this album, was an ultra wonderful experience, but was like a double edge sword. It was so far removed from the music I was usually writing that it shook my world deeply that an artist like Nigel Kennedy trusted me with songwriting. After this collaboration, I was actually unable to write for about two years. It took me all this time to understand that it’s as well about the attitude. With being yourself, you can only be unique and real, true. This experience inspired me to find new purpose in why and how I was doing music for, Nigel inspired me to keep out of my comfort zone, and this at all times; To never feel too comfortable with any achievements. This collaboration contributed to refine my style which is now fully versatile, This particular experience made me find out and understand the richness and freedom there is for an artist with always trying to deliver the most unexpected and hopefully inspiring projects; I consider this an act of respect and politesse towards the audience,

For me Ric, i strongly agree that where we are in life is definitely due to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others.

First of foremost i would like to honour and give a shout out to my mother, for putting up with years of my very very loud (And probably bad at the time) drum practice, in a very small home in Nottingham England and for her continued support of my career in every way.

Secondly i want to give a shout out to my 2 mentors, teachers. – Bob Armstrong and Toni Canelli.

These 2 gentlemen instilled in me the belief that i can become whatever i choose to become, with a lot of very very hard work, discipline and a very clear vision and goals, i can become anything i choose.

The constant encouragement and sometimes hard criticism from them both, kicked me into shape and taught me to try my utmost to become the best musician and human being that i can possibly be, I am forever grateful to these 2 gentlemen for their essential input into my life. God rest their souls.

Website: https://lungmusic.com/

Instagram: lung_at_art

Twitter: http://twitter.com/lungtweets

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lungworld

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@LUNGTV1

Other: https://www.reverbnation.com/lunglive

Image Credits
Non personal picture:
`@Megan Jones « MJ »

Promo pictures 1 and 3 @ Paul Cochrane

2 and 4 Olivier Févin