September 12, 2024 • 23 mins
Clairo chats with host Lisa Worden about her new album Charm, her LA and NY residencies, creating a safe space for fans at shows, going viral at 19 years old and more.
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
If you're listening to she is the voice the female
(00:02):
alternative artist that you need to know. Here's your host,
Police awarded.
Speaker 2 (00:07):
All ninety eight seven LA's New Alternative and you're listening
to she is the voice. And it is my absolute
pleasure to have on the air with us tonight, Clara. Hi.
I was just saying to Clara off air, how she
has been on my bucket list to have on this
show for several years and I am just so happy
(00:28):
to finally have you.
Speaker 1 (00:30):
On the show. Thank you for having me.
Speaker 2 (00:33):
Yes, and especially since your first night of your LA
residency kicks off tonight at the Fonda Theater, so special
that you were able to come here first.
Speaker 1 (00:43):
Yeah, definitely, so thank you.
Speaker 2 (00:46):
I want to talk about your new album, Charm. It
is a absolutely beautiful album, a beautiful piece of work,
you know. I want to talk about the sound of
this album and how you you worked with Leon Michaels
and how you I know that you kind of come
up with what you want the alms the sound like
in the theme and what you want the vision for
(01:09):
the sound.
Speaker 3 (01:09):
Can you talk about that a little bit.
Speaker 1 (01:11):
About Yeah, yeah, sonically yes, yeah, So I would say
this record is It's really cool because, Uh, my last record,
I was really inspired by the Carpenters and Harry Nilsen
and the Beach Boys, and I was sort of getting
into like the more classic records from those artists. And
(01:31):
what was really fun about Charm was I am obviously
still fans of those people, but I did find myself
going further in their discography and finding very silly albums,
really silly, dense, beautiful records like Smiley Smile by the
Beach Boys and the Popeye soundtrack that Harry Nilsen did,
(01:54):
and also people like Marco Geryon and Black Some Deary.
There's a level of humor and closeness that I find
in all of those artists, and also specifically those records
from the Beach Boys and and Harry Neilsen. I found
(02:16):
them to be so silly and so warm, and so
I really wanted the record to feel like that, kind
of like like someone could be whispering in your ear,
or maybe there's an inside joke between you and the
person who's singing. I wanted it to feel really intimate
and sweet, and that's kind of how I stumble on
(02:41):
the the idea of calling it Charm. Just because I
feel like that in between is is everything. It's where
all the excitement is. It's where anything is sort of
possible with a person, which I find to be warm
and silly and close and like intimate.
Speaker 2 (02:58):
So I think you did all of that because when
I listened to the album Warmth, definitely I feel warmth
in it. I feel intimacy in it. And you're so
the way you sing it's very understated in a way,
but beautiful, absolutely beautiful. You have a lilt to your
voice that just.
Speaker 3 (03:18):
It's so unique.
Speaker 1 (03:19):
Thank you.
Speaker 2 (03:20):
And I read in an article for Charm it's almost
like that feeling you get when you first meet someone,
and it's that intoxicating feeling of wondering what's gonna come
and kind of predicting. And the way you were able
to create that mood, that sound, that vibe this album
is just it's it's it's incredible.
Speaker 1 (03:42):
Thank you. Yeah, yeah, that feeling is so cool. I
also was just the more I thought about that feeling
as well, like when two people meet and they're just
totally smitten and they don't have enough information to be smitten,
but they just are. It's this it's actually so rare
(04:02):
that that would happen. Yeah, it would be like that mutual,
I guess, but it happens all the time, which is
the most wild part to me. And yeah, that in
between space is so giddy. It's just so giddy. I
think that's also why I kept the record kind of,
you know, not entirely vague, but I definitely wanted to
(04:25):
leave a lot of things open ended lyrically, so that
it can be this middle ground, like I really don't know.
This could mean this to me, and it could mean this,
and this is the same thing that happens when you
meet someone. It can go in any direction anyway, So
it's kind of like just meeting someone in the middle.
Speaker 2 (04:45):
And so well said, thanks, and again, the fact that
you can translate a feeling into a musical piece of
art is just it's it's really that's why I really
wanted to touch on this. It's it's it's amazing, it's
so talented. Let's talk about a few of the songs
on the album. We've been playing Sexy to Someone on
(05:07):
all ninety eight seven.
Speaker 3 (05:08):
We love that song. Yeah, we are obsessed.
Speaker 2 (05:12):
We're gonna play it right now in a few minutes.
But if you can say a few words about that song.
Speaker 1 (05:17):
Yeah, that song is very silly. I wrote it when
I was just alone in the house for a little
too long, and I do think it's a really true
feeling of you know, sometimes having a crush is all
that gets you out of the house. Yeah, sometimes it's
the only motivation. And maybe not even that, Maybe just
(05:41):
someone giving you a really specific compliment that day can
give you so much, such a boost of energy and serotonin,
and I just think, like it really is that small sometimes,
like don't I don't need a relationship, I don't want one.
I am now looking for some want to really hit
(06:02):
on me. But it's something. Yeah, it was really like something.
Speaker 3 (06:08):
You're listening to.
Speaker 2 (06:09):
She is the voice and it's our honor to have
on with us tonight, Claro, I want to.
Speaker 1 (06:14):
Take you back.
Speaker 3 (06:15):
I want to go back to twenty seventeen, when you
were nineteen years old, and let's talk to the audience
about that video you put on YouTube for your song
pretty Girl, and how that in a way kind of
got you noticed and got you your start in the
music business at such a young age, even though you'd
already been making music for several years. I want the
(06:37):
audience to understand how talented this woman is who is
sitting with me in this room. Let's go back to
when you were nineteen and you posted that video. Tell
me about that girl.
Speaker 1 (06:50):
I mean, I didn't really think much about it when
I put it on YouTube. It wasn't my first video
or anything, and so it was a really interesting experience.
And also my first experience with virality is that the
is that the word? I'm pretty sure, just my first
(07:10):
experience with anything going viral. I think that that was
really interesting, pretty life changing, especially going viral on YouTube.
I think times have changed and things go viral more
often now, especially like on TikTok and everything. But YouTube
(07:30):
felt crazy when things would go viral, And yeah, I
was in high school. I was, I think I had
just left high school and I was in my first
week of college when everything started blowing up with that song,
(07:53):
which was really interesting because I was going to school
for something else and very quickly had to decide if
this was what I really wanted. And luckily I had
like tons of amazing people around me and I had
the right support system to help me figure it out.
I was, you know, never in like clear, clear danger.
(08:14):
I don't think like of.
Speaker 2 (08:19):
Of and that is that's really important, especially for young
women wanting to make it in music. Yeah, you know,
to have the right people around you, have involved parents,
have the right manager, have you know agent who you
know you can trust.
Speaker 1 (08:35):
I mean at that point, I didn't even have a manager.
Speaker 3 (08:37):
Wow.
Speaker 1 (08:38):
And I didn't have any sort of like like a
agent or anything. Yeah, it wasn't anything like that yet.
But I did have like family friends who were incredible
mentors and they were like, don't sign that deal. Like
good they spelled your name wrong and You're like, oh
my god, really I shouldn't do it. And they're like, yeah, well,
(09:00):
don't do that. And and so you know, I finished
the year out. I finished the school year out at
college while also being you know, flying out every weekend
to go record or do things. And then I finished
my year. I went on tour with Miss Stualipa love her,
(09:22):
and yeah, it's just been like bull steam aheads. It's
been a wild ride. But yeah, I think that was
my ticket. I would be dumb to not take it. Yeah,
the Internet's really cool sometimes it is.
Speaker 3 (09:38):
It is.
Speaker 1 (09:39):
I feel really lucky that I'm still able to like
to make music, especially records that are really different from
maybe what initially gave me that ticket into making music
full time. Being able to put something out like charm
Like however many years later, and for people to receive
(10:00):
it and really like it, I think is so valuable
to me and so cool, And I don't take it
for granted because I have changed so much. And yeah,
I'm really lucky that people are able to listen to
my music and kind of move with me instead of
instead of having rigid guidelines for me, Like I've never
(10:22):
felt a good needed to abide by any sort of
guidelines from fans or anybody's.
Speaker 2 (10:28):
And that's one thing I think you're you're admired for
by fans and by the industry. You're doing it how
you want to do it. You're not, like you said,
you're not feeling restricted by guidelines or being told to
do something a certain way.
Speaker 1 (10:44):
I do think it's very hard, though, to say no,
and it is very hard to not want to fall
into maybe what people are recommending you could it or
would do.
Speaker 2 (10:55):
What's an example of something where somebody recommended something and
you just were like, that's not me, that doesn't feel right.
Speaker 1 (11:01):
Or maybe it has to do with like your next
record should sound like this, gotcha, you should really do
this type of promotion, or maybe you would benefit from
uh wearing this or I got There's tons of things
(11:23):
that I think contribute to, you know, a female musicians career,
like in the very beginning that are like very scary. Yeah,
And it isn't until I'm now just I'm just now
feeling like I've I've got something under control and like
(11:44):
I don't feel that I could be influenced or pushed
into something that I don't want to do, which is nice.
But that took a that took a second. It wasn't
It wasn't easy, especially when I was nineteen. I just
had to take up everyone unhappy. I think, oh yeah, yeah,
I think I'm just I like talking about it because
(12:08):
there are so many new musicians coming into music all
the time, yes, and especially on the internet, like every day, Yes,
and so I think it's really important to at least
speak about like it's okay to say no to absolutely
(12:29):
everything that you don't want to do absolutely. Yeah, there's
a better way to say that. I don't think I
know how, but yeah, it's it's hard.
Speaker 2 (12:41):
Know, the sentiment is clear and it's something that we
talk about a lot on the show when I have
artists in the studio and everyone seems to say the
same thing, which is, know your vision, know your you
know what you want to do, how you want to look,
how you want to sound, Make make the art you
want to make. Because when you start making art somebody
(13:04):
else wants you to make, that's when it's not genuine.
Speaker 1 (13:08):
And it also takes longer to get back to yourself.
I've realized, like, if you are just trying to make
people happy, it's harder to connect maybe like what you
wanted the whole time. And I would say to younger artists, like,
take the time to know your vision or what type
of music you want to make, et cetera, et cetera,
(13:28):
Like it's okay to have a song that comes out
and everyone makes you feel like you have a limited
amount of time to make it your life. No, you don't.
You can take time to know yourself and that that
could still totally work. It's just the like the crunch
time they give artists to figure out what they want
(13:52):
to do. Yeah, it's crazy.
Speaker 2 (13:55):
Amazing, amazing advice from Clara, Thank you. No, we asked
these artists all the time, Hey, what advice would you have?
And you just came right out and went there and
you're so, you're so absolutely right.
Speaker 1 (14:08):
It's just a very scary process, especially now. And yeah,
I think I think people are I actually think people
know that already, which is cool. I think the young
musicians who are coming in right now are like pretty
(14:28):
true to themselves, which is really refreshing and really cool. Yeah, yeah, yeah,
they probably don't need my advice at this point.
Speaker 2 (14:35):
Well, no, I think actually a lot of young girls,
young women coming into the business, they are seeking advice.
And you know, you're someone again who's been making music
since a very very young age. And then I think
on the front end of the whole internet, being such
a catalyst and music and getting music heard. It happened
(14:59):
to you, you know, seven years ago, Like we said,
that was kind of the thing that propelled you from
being somewhat unknown to being very known and having people
knocking on your door and offering you record contracts and
all kinds of things. And one thing I admire about
you again through the years is you're staying true to
your vision and what you want, and that takes a
(15:20):
lot of courage but also confidence you know. That's the
word I'm looking for. It takes confidence, and you don't
air confidence on your shoulder. You're not out there, you know,
but you have it in yourself. And that's really really admirable.
Speaker 1 (15:39):
Nice.
Speaker 2 (15:40):
It's true though, it's so true. We're talking to Clara
right now, right here on All ninety eight seven on
She is the Voice. Her new album Charm just came
out a couple months ago, and we're celebrating that album
plus two really big residencies five nights in Los Angeles
at the Fonda Theater, five nights at Webster Hall in
(16:00):
New York, and then you embark on your tour for Charm,
which I read you're donating a dollar per ticket to
support women's reproductive rights. That is amazing talk about that.
Speaker 1 (16:14):
I mean, why not like.
Speaker 3 (16:18):
More people should do that?
Speaker 2 (16:19):
Uh?
Speaker 1 (16:20):
Yeah, if they can and they're willing, they should. Yeah.
Speaker 2 (16:24):
Did you come up with that idea one day just
saying you know, this is something I want to do.
Was it a conversation with your manager? Like I because again,
more I wish more artists did things like that.
Speaker 1 (16:37):
I think it's it's been really cool. Like lately I've
been seeing on a lot of tours, and even on
our last hour, we've had this company called Calling All
Crows Join Us, and we've also had companies like Safe Tour.
These are people who are like looking in the audience
and making sure you feel safe. There's a number you
(17:01):
can text. There's also like tabling in front of the
venue where it's like, you know, all about reproductive rights,
and this time around it will be about creating a
voting plan as well. So it's just really cool, especially
to have it as an option at a show. I
(17:22):
do think shows concerts when you're a teenager are this
space that's like that separates you from your family. It's
more often than not the first time you go out
alone with your friends the student concert. Maybe if you
feel weird about talking about maybe if you feel weird
talking about it at home, or like there's some tension there,
(17:44):
Like you can kind of learn about these things stress
free in a third space like that. Weirdly, I always
felt like concerts were just like this haven for me,
Like growing up, I've just so excited to be there
and I felt so I felt like an individual for
(18:05):
the first time. Yeah, I think it's just cool to
have the option of those of like the tables at
shows just in case someone is curious and yeah, they
don't know enough about it, or maybe they'd love to
really just connect or talk to someone about it. Yeah,
(18:25):
I think, yeah.
Speaker 2 (18:27):
That's really cool. Well, and you do have a large
female fan base and they're young, so yeah, I think
that's really really cool. When I read that, I was like,
that's awesome. I want to go back to twenty nineteen
your album Immunity. There's a song on that album, Sofia,
that we play a lot on All.
Speaker 3 (18:47):
Ninety eight seven. It's been a massive hit.
Speaker 2 (18:49):
For us here, so I would love can you talk
about that song the inspiration, just because we're gonna play
it here in a couple of minutes.
Speaker 1 (18:57):
Well, yeah, I made that song with with rost Dam
from the Empire Weekend from He has an incredible producer person.
I made that, yeah, entire album with him. That song
was so fun. Yeah, it's strange because a lot of
(19:21):
my songs that ended up having moments I didn't expect
them to.
Speaker 3 (19:28):
But so was that very unexpected when that song was
kind of.
Speaker 1 (19:32):
I do think Sophia is like probably the most structured
pop song I have, so it is very cool that
it happened. But yeah, that song I think is about like,
you know, having crushes on women, and a lot of
that record was about me exploring that musically, you know,
(19:56):
having had connections or semi relationships with them. At that point,
I was like twenty, so yeah, I didn't really know
what I was talking about really, but I just was.
I think I think I was manifesting some sort of
(20:16):
clear relationship to happen in my life around that time
just by writing about it. I think it was really cool.
But yeah, Sophia, it's like just a really fun song
about liking a girl. Yeah.
Speaker 2 (20:32):
I read that you're living in upstate New York and
how it sounds like.
Speaker 3 (20:38):
You are a little more domesticated from.
Speaker 2 (20:40):
What I've read, I am, yeah, and how you're enjoying it,
and I don't know, I want I read. I just
read something really cool that you were like, you know what,
the phone's in the back pocket, and I enjoy doing
things with my hands, whether it's gardening, cooking, you know,
making things. And I just found that really really cool
(21:01):
because a lot of a lot of people these states,
they're glued to the phone and they're on social media.
And I was like, how refreshing that.
Speaker 1 (21:11):
Well, I'm you know, listen, I'm just like every other girl.
I'm on my phone. I'm literally on my phone all
the time. The reason I was talking about, like in
that interview it was funny, like I was talking mainly
about living upstate is actually a great or at least
living in a place that is a little more in nature.
(21:35):
I think activities and things you have to do on
a daily basis actually require two hands. I can't drive
while texting it. I can't do it. It's the phone's going
in my back pocket. I need both hands, and need
both hands to cook. I need both hands to wash
dishes and shower and do all these things that require
(21:57):
like my full attention. And so sometimes I purposely, you know,
if I really need a break from my phone, I
try to just do things with my hands, like a
like a paint by numbers, or like knitting. Knitting you
can't do with one hand, really no, But yeah, I
think taking care of a home has inherently made me
(22:19):
a little less addicted to my phone, just because it
requires so much of my attention and care that sure
does at all times, never really easy, never ends. But yeah,
so I'm still definitely on my phone.
Speaker 2 (22:36):
You know.
Speaker 1 (22:37):
I I'm here in Los Angeles at a hotel, so
I have nothing to do other than be on my phone.
Speaker 2 (22:42):
Really well, we we all are on our phones a ton,
but I like, uh, I like talking about life outside
of the phone and outside of the Internet when I can.
Speaker 1 (22:54):
Yeah, totally. Yeah, it's important too. It is.
Speaker 3 (22:58):
Well, Clara, it's been a pleasure talking to you. Thank
you so much for coming in. Clara's new album, Charm
is out now. Thank you so much for being here tonight.
Speaker 1 (23:09):
Thank you. She is the voice the female musicians that
are creating tomorrow Sounds.
Speaker 3 (23:15):
She is the voice on
Speaker 1 (23:16):
All ninety eight seven, LA's new alternative
If you're listening to she is the voice the female
(00:02):
alternative artist that you need to know. Here's your host,
Police awarded.
Speaker 2 (00:07):
All ninety eight seven LA's New Alternative and you're listening
to she is the voice. And it is my absolute
pleasure to have on the air with us tonight, Clara. Hi.
I was just saying to Clara off air, how she
has been on my bucket list to have on this
show for several years and I am just so happy
(00:28):
to finally have you.
Speaker 1 (00:30):
On the show. Thank you for having me.
Speaker 2 (00:33):
Yes, and especially since your first night of your LA
residency kicks off tonight at the Fonda Theater, so special
that you were able to come here first.
Speaker 1 (00:43):
Yeah, definitely, so thank you.
Speaker 2 (00:46):
I want to talk about your new album, Charm. It
is a absolutely beautiful album, a beautiful piece of work,
you know. I want to talk about the sound of
this album and how you you worked with Leon Michaels
and how you I know that you kind of come
up with what you want the alms the sound like
in the theme and what you want the vision for
(01:09):
the sound.
Speaker 3 (01:09):
Can you talk about that a little bit.
Speaker 1 (01:11):
About Yeah, yeah, sonically yes, yeah, So I would say
this record is It's really cool because, Uh, my last record,
I was really inspired by the Carpenters and Harry Nilsen
and the Beach Boys, and I was sort of getting
into like the more classic records from those artists. And
(01:31):
what was really fun about Charm was I am obviously
still fans of those people, but I did find myself
going further in their discography and finding very silly albums,
really silly, dense, beautiful records like Smiley Smile by the
Beach Boys and the Popeye soundtrack that Harry Nilsen did,
(01:54):
and also people like Marco Geryon and Black Some Deary.
There's a level of humor and closeness that I find
in all of those artists, and also specifically those records
from the Beach Boys and and Harry Neilsen. I found
(02:16):
them to be so silly and so warm, and so
I really wanted the record to feel like that, kind
of like like someone could be whispering in your ear,
or maybe there's an inside joke between you and the
person who's singing. I wanted it to feel really intimate
and sweet, and that's kind of how I stumble on
(02:41):
the the idea of calling it Charm. Just because I
feel like that in between is is everything. It's where
all the excitement is. It's where anything is sort of
possible with a person, which I find to be warm
and silly and close and like intimate.
Speaker 2 (02:58):
So I think you did all of that because when
I listened to the album Warmth, definitely I feel warmth
in it. I feel intimacy in it. And you're so
the way you sing it's very understated in a way,
but beautiful, absolutely beautiful. You have a lilt to your
voice that just.
Speaker 3 (03:18):
It's so unique.
Speaker 1 (03:19):
Thank you.
Speaker 2 (03:20):
And I read in an article for Charm it's almost
like that feeling you get when you first meet someone,
and it's that intoxicating feeling of wondering what's gonna come
and kind of predicting. And the way you were able
to create that mood, that sound, that vibe this album
is just it's it's it's incredible.
Speaker 1 (03:42):
Thank you. Yeah, yeah, that feeling is so cool. I
also was just the more I thought about that feeling
as well, like when two people meet and they're just
totally smitten and they don't have enough information to be smitten,
but they just are. It's this it's actually so rare
(04:02):
that that would happen. Yeah, it would be like that mutual,
I guess, but it happens all the time, which is
the most wild part to me. And yeah, that in
between space is so giddy. It's just so giddy. I
think that's also why I kept the record kind of,
you know, not entirely vague, but I definitely wanted to
(04:25):
leave a lot of things open ended lyrically, so that
it can be this middle ground, like I really don't know.
This could mean this to me, and it could mean this,
and this is the same thing that happens when you
meet someone. It can go in any direction anyway, So
it's kind of like just meeting someone in the middle.
Speaker 2 (04:45):
And so well said, thanks, and again, the fact that
you can translate a feeling into a musical piece of
art is just it's it's really that's why I really
wanted to touch on this. It's it's it's amazing, it's
so talented. Let's talk about a few of the songs
on the album. We've been playing Sexy to Someone on
(05:07):
all ninety eight seven.
Speaker 3 (05:08):
We love that song. Yeah, we are obsessed.
Speaker 2 (05:12):
We're gonna play it right now in a few minutes.
But if you can say a few words about that song.
Speaker 1 (05:17):
Yeah, that song is very silly. I wrote it when
I was just alone in the house for a little
too long, and I do think it's a really true
feeling of you know, sometimes having a crush is all
that gets you out of the house. Yeah, sometimes it's
the only motivation. And maybe not even that, Maybe just
(05:41):
someone giving you a really specific compliment that day can
give you so much, such a boost of energy and serotonin,
and I just think, like it really is that small sometimes,
like don't I don't need a relationship, I don't want one.
I am now looking for some want to really hit
(06:02):
on me. But it's something. Yeah, it was really like something.
Speaker 3 (06:08):
You're listening to.
Speaker 2 (06:09):
She is the voice and it's our honor to have
on with us tonight, Claro, I want to.
Speaker 1 (06:14):
Take you back.
Speaker 3 (06:15):
I want to go back to twenty seventeen, when you
were nineteen years old, and let's talk to the audience
about that video you put on YouTube for your song
pretty Girl, and how that in a way kind of
got you noticed and got you your start in the
music business at such a young age, even though you'd
already been making music for several years. I want the
(06:37):
audience to understand how talented this woman is who is
sitting with me in this room. Let's go back to
when you were nineteen and you posted that video. Tell
me about that girl.
Speaker 1 (06:50):
I mean, I didn't really think much about it when
I put it on YouTube. It wasn't my first video
or anything, and so it was a really interesting experience.
And also my first experience with virality is that the
is that the word? I'm pretty sure, just my first
(07:10):
experience with anything going viral. I think that that was
really interesting, pretty life changing, especially going viral on YouTube.
I think times have changed and things go viral more
often now, especially like on TikTok and everything. But YouTube
(07:30):
felt crazy when things would go viral, And yeah, I
was in high school. I was, I think I had
just left high school and I was in my first
week of college when everything started blowing up with that song,
(07:53):
which was really interesting because I was going to school
for something else and very quickly had to decide if
this was what I really wanted. And luckily I had
like tons of amazing people around me and I had
the right support system to help me figure it out.
I was, you know, never in like clear, clear danger.
(08:14):
I don't think like of.
Speaker 2 (08:19):
Of and that is that's really important, especially for young
women wanting to make it in music. Yeah, you know,
to have the right people around you, have involved parents,
have the right manager, have you know agent who you
know you can trust.
Speaker 1 (08:35):
I mean at that point, I didn't even have a manager.
Speaker 3 (08:37):
Wow.
Speaker 1 (08:38):
And I didn't have any sort of like like a
agent or anything. Yeah, it wasn't anything like that yet.
But I did have like family friends who were incredible
mentors and they were like, don't sign that deal. Like
good they spelled your name wrong and You're like, oh
my god, really I shouldn't do it. And they're like, yeah, well,
(09:00):
don't do that. And and so you know, I finished
the year out. I finished the school year out at
college while also being you know, flying out every weekend
to go record or do things. And then I finished
my year. I went on tour with Miss Stualipa love her,
(09:22):
and yeah, it's just been like bull steam aheads. It's
been a wild ride. But yeah, I think that was
my ticket. I would be dumb to not take it. Yeah,
the Internet's really cool sometimes it is.
Speaker 3 (09:38):
It is.
Speaker 1 (09:39):
I feel really lucky that I'm still able to like
to make music, especially records that are really different from
maybe what initially gave me that ticket into making music
full time. Being able to put something out like charm
Like however many years later, and for people to receive
(10:00):
it and really like it, I think is so valuable
to me and so cool, And I don't take it
for granted because I have changed so much. And yeah,
I'm really lucky that people are able to listen to
my music and kind of move with me instead of
instead of having rigid guidelines for me, Like I've never
(10:22):
felt a good needed to abide by any sort of
guidelines from fans or anybody's.
Speaker 2 (10:28):
And that's one thing I think you're you're admired for
by fans and by the industry. You're doing it how
you want to do it. You're not, like you said,
you're not feeling restricted by guidelines or being told to
do something a certain way.
Speaker 1 (10:44):
I do think it's very hard, though, to say no,
and it is very hard to not want to fall
into maybe what people are recommending you could it or
would do.
Speaker 2 (10:55):
What's an example of something where somebody recommended something and
you just were like, that's not me, that doesn't feel right.
Speaker 1 (11:01):
Or maybe it has to do with like your next
record should sound like this, gotcha, you should really do
this type of promotion, or maybe you would benefit from
uh wearing this or I got There's tons of things
(11:23):
that I think contribute to, you know, a female musicians career,
like in the very beginning that are like very scary. Yeah,
And it isn't until I'm now just I'm just now
feeling like I've I've got something under control and like
(11:44):
I don't feel that I could be influenced or pushed
into something that I don't want to do, which is nice.
But that took a that took a second. It wasn't
It wasn't easy, especially when I was nineteen. I just
had to take up everyone unhappy. I think, oh yeah, yeah,
I think I'm just I like talking about it because
(12:08):
there are so many new musicians coming into music all
the time, yes, and especially on the internet, like every day, Yes,
and so I think it's really important to at least
speak about like it's okay to say no to absolutely
(12:29):
everything that you don't want to do absolutely. Yeah, there's
a better way to say that. I don't think I
know how, but yeah, it's it's hard.
Speaker 2 (12:41):
Know, the sentiment is clear and it's something that we
talk about a lot on the show when I have
artists in the studio and everyone seems to say the
same thing, which is, know your vision, know your you
know what you want to do, how you want to look,
how you want to sound, Make make the art you
want to make. Because when you start making art somebody
(13:04):
else wants you to make, that's when it's not genuine.
Speaker 1 (13:08):
And it also takes longer to get back to yourself.
I've realized, like, if you are just trying to make
people happy, it's harder to connect maybe like what you
wanted the whole time. And I would say to younger artists, like,
take the time to know your vision or what type
of music you want to make, et cetera, et cetera,
(13:28):
Like it's okay to have a song that comes out
and everyone makes you feel like you have a limited
amount of time to make it your life. No, you don't.
You can take time to know yourself and that that
could still totally work. It's just the like the crunch
time they give artists to figure out what they want
(13:52):
to do. Yeah, it's crazy.
Speaker 2 (13:55):
Amazing, amazing advice from Clara, Thank you. No, we asked
these artists all the time, Hey, what advice would you have?
And you just came right out and went there and
you're so, you're so absolutely right.
Speaker 1 (14:08):
It's just a very scary process, especially now. And yeah,
I think I think people are I actually think people
know that already, which is cool. I think the young
musicians who are coming in right now are like pretty
(14:28):
true to themselves, which is really refreshing and really cool. Yeah, yeah, yeah,
they probably don't need my advice at this point.
Speaker 2 (14:35):
Well, no, I think actually a lot of young girls,
young women coming into the business, they are seeking advice.
And you know, you're someone again who's been making music
since a very very young age. And then I think
on the front end of the whole internet, being such
a catalyst and music and getting music heard. It happened
(14:59):
to you, you know, seven years ago, Like we said,
that was kind of the thing that propelled you from
being somewhat unknown to being very known and having people
knocking on your door and offering you record contracts and
all kinds of things. And one thing I admire about
you again through the years is you're staying true to
your vision and what you want, and that takes a
(15:20):
lot of courage but also confidence you know. That's the
word I'm looking for. It takes confidence, and you don't
air confidence on your shoulder. You're not out there, you know,
but you have it in yourself. And that's really really admirable.
Speaker 1 (15:39):
Nice.
Speaker 2 (15:40):
It's true though, it's so true. We're talking to Clara
right now, right here on All ninety eight seven on
She is the Voice. Her new album Charm just came
out a couple months ago, and we're celebrating that album
plus two really big residencies five nights in Los Angeles
at the Fonda Theater, five nights at Webster Hall in
(16:00):
New York, and then you embark on your tour for Charm,
which I read you're donating a dollar per ticket to
support women's reproductive rights. That is amazing talk about that.
Speaker 1 (16:14):
I mean, why not like.
Speaker 3 (16:18):
More people should do that?
Speaker 2 (16:19):
Uh?
Speaker 1 (16:20):
Yeah, if they can and they're willing, they should. Yeah.
Speaker 2 (16:24):
Did you come up with that idea one day just
saying you know, this is something I want to do.
Was it a conversation with your manager? Like I because again,
more I wish more artists did things like that.
Speaker 1 (16:37):
I think it's it's been really cool. Like lately I've
been seeing on a lot of tours, and even on
our last hour, we've had this company called Calling All
Crows Join Us, and we've also had companies like Safe Tour.
These are people who are like looking in the audience
and making sure you feel safe. There's a number you
(17:01):
can text. There's also like tabling in front of the
venue where it's like, you know, all about reproductive rights,
and this time around it will be about creating a
voting plan as well. So it's just really cool, especially
to have it as an option at a show. I
(17:22):
do think shows concerts when you're a teenager are this
space that's like that separates you from your family. It's
more often than not the first time you go out
alone with your friends the student concert. Maybe if you
feel weird about talking about maybe if you feel weird
talking about it at home, or like there's some tension there,
(17:44):
Like you can kind of learn about these things stress
free in a third space like that. Weirdly, I always
felt like concerts were just like this haven for me,
Like growing up, I've just so excited to be there
and I felt so I felt like an individual for
(18:05):
the first time. Yeah, I think it's just cool to
have the option of those of like the tables at
shows just in case someone is curious and yeah, they
don't know enough about it, or maybe they'd love to
really just connect or talk to someone about it. Yeah,
(18:25):
I think, yeah.
Speaker 2 (18:27):
That's really cool. Well, and you do have a large
female fan base and they're young, so yeah, I think
that's really really cool. When I read that, I was like,
that's awesome. I want to go back to twenty nineteen
your album Immunity. There's a song on that album, Sofia,
that we play a lot on All.
Speaker 3 (18:47):
Ninety eight seven. It's been a massive hit.
Speaker 2 (18:49):
For us here, so I would love can you talk
about that song the inspiration, just because we're gonna play
it here in a couple of minutes.
Speaker 1 (18:57):
Well, yeah, I made that song with with rost Dam
from the Empire Weekend from He has an incredible producer person.
I made that, yeah, entire album with him. That song
was so fun. Yeah, it's strange because a lot of
(19:21):
my songs that ended up having moments I didn't expect
them to.
Speaker 3 (19:28):
But so was that very unexpected when that song was
kind of.
Speaker 1 (19:32):
I do think Sophia is like probably the most structured
pop song I have, so it is very cool that
it happened. But yeah, that song I think is about like,
you know, having crushes on women, and a lot of
that record was about me exploring that musically, you know,
(19:56):
having had connections or semi relationships with them. At that point,
I was like twenty, so yeah, I didn't really know
what I was talking about really, but I just was.
I think I think I was manifesting some sort of
(20:16):
clear relationship to happen in my life around that time
just by writing about it. I think it was really cool.
But yeah, Sophia, it's like just a really fun song
about liking a girl. Yeah.
Speaker 2 (20:32):
I read that you're living in upstate New York and
how it sounds like.
Speaker 3 (20:38):
You are a little more domesticated from.
Speaker 2 (20:40):
What I've read, I am, yeah, and how you're enjoying it,
and I don't know, I want I read. I just
read something really cool that you were like, you know what,
the phone's in the back pocket, and I enjoy doing
things with my hands, whether it's gardening, cooking, you know,
making things. And I just found that really really cool
(21:01):
because a lot of a lot of people these states,
they're glued to the phone and they're on social media.
And I was like, how refreshing that.
Speaker 1 (21:11):
Well, I'm you know, listen, I'm just like every other girl.
I'm on my phone. I'm literally on my phone all
the time. The reason I was talking about, like in
that interview it was funny, like I was talking mainly
about living upstate is actually a great or at least
living in a place that is a little more in nature.
(21:35):
I think activities and things you have to do on
a daily basis actually require two hands. I can't drive
while texting it. I can't do it. It's the phone's going
in my back pocket. I need both hands, and need
both hands to cook. I need both hands to wash
dishes and shower and do all these things that require
(21:57):
like my full attention. And so sometimes I purposely, you know,
if I really need a break from my phone, I
try to just do things with my hands, like a
like a paint by numbers, or like knitting. Knitting you
can't do with one hand, really no, But yeah, I
think taking care of a home has inherently made me
(22:19):
a little less addicted to my phone, just because it
requires so much of my attention and care that sure
does at all times, never really easy, never ends. But yeah,
so I'm still definitely on my phone.
Speaker 2 (22:36):
You know.
Speaker 1 (22:37):
I I'm here in Los Angeles at a hotel, so
I have nothing to do other than be on my phone.
Speaker 2 (22:42):
Really well, we we all are on our phones a ton,
but I like, uh, I like talking about life outside
of the phone and outside of the Internet when I can.
Speaker 1 (22:54):
Yeah, totally. Yeah, it's important too. It is.
Speaker 3 (22:58):
Well, Clara, it's been a pleasure talking to you. Thank
you so much for coming in. Clara's new album, Charm
is out now. Thank you so much for being here tonight.
Speaker 1 (23:09):
Thank you. She is the voice the female musicians that
are creating tomorrow Sounds.
Speaker 3 (23:15):
She is the voice on
Speaker 1 (23:16):
All ninety eight seven, LA's new alternative
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