Words Jamila Douhaibi
Photos Sarah Hartley Photography
The Varnes family lives on 11 acres in Central Saanich. Their basset hound George was the first member I met, greeting me at the car as I pulled up in front of their gorgeous home. The decorated tree in their living room loomed high above us up into the vaulted ceiling as Chase and I sat in matching armchairs to chat. Chase Varnes, only 13 years old, has already reached a point that many musicians twice his age are fighting to achieve.
A middle child of four, Chase started with sound at a young age. He says he was “always drumming on random things” and making noise. He’d crack plastic containers from the kitchen drawers and at four broke the children’s drum set he was gifted with his enthusiasm. At nine, his parents, Rena and Collyn, bought him the kit that he uses now.
Chase’s voice has the beautiful sound of a professional adult musician. He sang “Face to Face” and his not-yet-recorded “Take Me Down.” The former was written for his papa, Rena’s dad, who passed away from cancer the week before Chase was born. This skilled singer only started playing guitar and adding vocals to his repertoire in the past year and says that he was tone deaf before he taught himself piano. “I could not hold a note,” says Chase, and his mom agrees.
When he was younger the family would ask him to stop singing, but his parents have also been extremely supportive of his aspirations. Rena says that “Chase does everything 100%.” She’s always known that he is a leader, and says that in regards to his musical journey, every door has opened for him so far. It doesn’t mean that the work won’t be hard, but she believes he’s already at a level that other artists take years to get to. When he was seven, Chase told the family: “I’ll be drumming on a world stage,” and whether it’s drumming, singing or playing guitar, he’s well on his way to making that statement a reality.
This teenager’s maturity goes along with his musical talent. Outside of practising several hours each day, Chase also plays baseball and basketball, goes quad and dirt bike riding, and loves “using the tractor on the farm.” He understands that, even at his age, life is more than staring at screens and “getting swept away by social media.” Instead, he gets more joy from playing in the community and connecting with the audience through his songs. Compassion also drives him as he continues to achieve success. Chase says that a big future can impact others, and that often “people with wealth waste their money.” Mentioning Taylor Swift’s three-million-dollar earrings, he emphasizes that the money would be better spent on supporting shelters and feeding people.
Chase plays at his school and church, but has also been booked at the Junction Cidery six times in the past several months, along with playing at the Central Saanich Fire Hall and at private backyard events and in stores. Currently teaching himself to play harmonica, Chase values learning the theory of music along with the practical aspect. “Being able to speak that language” of tones and tunes by yourself and while playing with musicians is powerful.
Mostly a country singer, Chase has four original songs that will soon be launching across all platforms. Even with his plans to have a big future in music, he says he feels tied to the Saanich Peninsula, where his family has lived since moving from Vancouver when he was five. Talking to him, Chase had drumsticks in his hand the whole time, and says he plays bass guitar every night before he goes to sleep. With such a dedication and talent in music, exciting opportunities are sure to come his way in 2025 and beyond.
Check out Chase’s website: www.chasevarnes.com.
