Irish Singer-songwriter of viral single ‘The Rush’ which has now racked up over 500,000 views on YouTube, joins me as we talk her newest single ‘Saturn’, mental health, and record labels.
Q: Your single ‘Medicine’ deals with underlying themes of mental health. Looking after mental health is very important, especially in this lockdown. What are some ways you look after your well-being?
A: Mental Health is so so important. This lockdown I’m sure has been hard on everyone mentally at one point or another. Writing is definitely my outlet when it comes to dealing with my mental health. I think it’s very important to understand exactly what you are feeling before you can begin to change or help it. So even by talking things out with a friend or writing everything I’m feeling down, that can help me feel a million times better.
Q: What has your experience been like being signed to a record label like Xenomania? What was the transition like going from an independent artist to being signed?
A: The transition from being and independent artist to a signed artist has been a long but educating experience; contracts, lawyers and all that adult stuff which I’m definitely not used to. The label are amazing and help me in any way they can whenever I need it and I’m so grateful they seen the potential in me to help me along my way. It’s very different to being an independent artist as there’s always new deadlines for new things but it definitely motivates me to work harder than I have ever before on my career.
Q: Your music is very introspective. Have you found it difficult in the past being so open and vulnerable within your songwriting?
A: I don’t think I’ve ever found it difficult being vulnerable in my songwriting. I feel the only time I can be completely open is through my songs whether it’s my own hidden meanings or my exact thoughts in song form. I’ve always wanted my music to be completely genuine and honest, so I just say it as it is.
Q: Saturn has some very cool experimental electronic elements, talk me through the production and songwriting process for the track
A: I wrote Saturn very recently and have just started to really get into producing my own tracks prior to working with my producer so we have a head start on the track. With taking an interest in the production element of music, my songwriting process has changed with it. Beforehand I would always sit down with my guitar and write a song there and then. Now I really like to create a soundscape and feel before I even begin the lyrics. I think it’s all just part of how I’m growing and developing as an artist.
Q: If you could visit any planet, which one would you want to go to? What’s the first thing you’d do once you got there?
A: Ohh any planet? I reckon I’d go to Mars cause I think I’ve read somewhere that the sunsets are blue there. I would definitely wanna watch the sunset on Mars.
Q: How do you approach your writing? Is it different for each track?
A: Yeah I feel like it is different for each track. Sometimes I really feel like sitting down and writing a full song with my guitar start to finish, other times I like to work on the sonic of the song by producing before I even begin the lyrics. All depends on what I’m feeling that day.
Q: If you could collab with any artist, who would it be? Are there any upcoming artists you think people should keep an eye out for?
A: If I could collab with anyone I would love it to be The Weekend. I’ve always been a big fan of his music and think we could do something pretty cool together. An artist I’ve been listening to a lot recently is Brent Faiyaz. He’s quite well known already but if you haven’t listened to his stuff its definitely a shout.
Huge thanks to Clara for speaking to me this week! You can find Clara and check out her latest single ‘Saturn’ here:
Article by Olivia Barnes