Clare Easdown is an alternative, indie artist from Sydney, Australia. She hopes to show that if she can produce music, anyone can and should.
Hey, super nice to have the chance to chat with you. What have you been up to over the past year in this big old mess?
Hey there! It’s so awesome to chat with you too. For the past year I’ve been immersed in several visual art & music projects from drenching loads of people in fluro paint for a photography project to pumping out several covers and original songs for my YouTube channel, Instagram and Spotify.
What first got you into music?
I was first introduced to music when I was around five years old. My father bought me a violin, however my arm used to ache from having to hold the violin up whilst playing it, so I decided to try the classical cello which of course, is played sitting down. It was an interesting introduction to music and it taught me a lot about music theory and how to read music. I should mention though that the very first introduction to music was when my mother was pregnant with me. She used to blast Madonna “Material Girl” on repeat so it makes sense that I now love Madonna.
Who would you most like to collaborate with?
Wow, that’s such a great question! I have such a deep appreciation for so many artists such as, CHVRCHES, Madonna, FKA Twigs and the ‘Synthwave Queen’ NINA. My ultimate collaborative dream however, would be with Grimes. She’s incredible.
Your latest song is ‘Your Eyes Are Ice‘. Can you tell us more about the making of it and if there were any unusual things happening during the process?
I met this prolific music producer on Instagram a couple of months ago. His name is Simon Pipe. We chatted via DM’s and worked together to bring “Your Eyes Are Ice” to life. Simon sent me a few tracks and I really resonated with the dark – wave vibes in one of the tracks, which is now “Your Eyes Are Ice”. The moody grunge guitar mixed with intricate high hats scattered throughout, instantly made me think of a deep desire, bordering on an illicit obsession. I began crafting lyrics that I felt matched the flow of Simon’s composition. I used my Apple headphones as my microphone, as I’m a firm believer that you don’t need fancy and expensive equipment to produce quality tracks. My mission is to stick with creating music using my headphones as my microphone, as I want to express the notion that you don’t necessarily need expensive, high tech equipment to create and produce music. I also want to express that it shouldn’t matter about your financial status, nothing should hold you back from creating. I believe limitations should never prevent you from creating art. Don’t let anything hold you back!
What are you focusing on right now?
Right now, I’m working with some incredible producers to perfect some of my older original works, which I am also remixing. I create music everyday, It’s like breathing for me. If I’m not creating music I don’t feel alive. I am also building some new original songs from scratch, so keep an eye out for some new originals!
You are also based in Menai, Australia. Can you tell us how the music scene there has inspired your sound at all?
I’ve only lived in Menai for roughly a year and I don’t know many people in the area. I haven’t yet found much of a music scene here, so most of my inspiration comes from content online. I do hope to find people in a closer geographical proximity to me, who I can vibe with! It would be so amazing to meet like minded people who also share a deep love and passion for music.
What is the best advice you’ve been given?
The best advice I’ve been given, would be to be completely authentic and to never trade your authenticity for approval. As I’ve grown older, I’ve realised there is no point being anything but yourself. If people don’t like you for who you genuinely are, that’s ok. It’s far better to be hated for who you are, than loved for who you are not.
What is the biggest challenge of being an artist?
The biggest challenge of being an artist would probably be the financial impact it has on me overall. I pour a lot of time into my art and my music, which leaves very little time for anything else. As a result, money can be hard to make. However, I believe one needs to always follow their true passion in life, and their heart. Materialistic possessions and objects are just things. In my eyes they don’t equal happiness. Art and music is for forever and makes my life worth living.
How do you structure your day?
I’m a single mother so the first thing I do every day is tend to my children and help them get ready for the day and off to their schools. After that, I sit down and create a plan for the day. I always write a “To Do” list in the notes section of my mobile, which consists mainly of creating music, liaising with producers and working on perfecting my songs.
Do you have any hobbies or interests outside of music?
Other hobbies and interests I have are painting, drawing, my children, spending quality time with my family/friends and the ocean. I love the ocean. I often drive down to the water’s edge and just lose myself watching the waves. They have a beautiful, whispering, rhythmic love language, just like music does.
Do you sing in the shower? What songs?
Haha, I don’t recall recently singing in the shower at all to be honest! I sing so much outside of the shower, when I actually do stop and have a shower I just enjoy being quiet for a while..
And Finally, what are your plans for the future?
My plans for the future are to just keep at it! To keep creating music, with my mission and ethos that creativity is for everyone regardless of any limitations. Music is my life force. It’s a love language that shoots through the hearts of all and without it I don’t think I’d be alive.
