What does a typical day look like in the life of Clairy Browne?
I wake up super early these days and once I’m awake I can’t really go back to sleep. I live by the beach so I go down there and walk around. Drink a bunch of coffees, work out with my trainer or go to early yoga.
I go with the flow of the day. Sometimes the day calls for running around town trying organise my life, catching up with people and being “on” and sometimes the day wants me to be introspective. Maybe a long lunch with my babe Kira Puru, spend an afternoon in the studio putting ideas down or QT with my family. I have been doing a lot of writing and beat making which is really meditative and therapeutic right now.
I read stuff online Im interested in; make style pinterest stories that I get way too obsessive about, watch runway shows I like or get in a youtube k hole of one Artist’s whole fucking life and every performance they have ever done until I’m like, in love with them, compile treatments for videos I want to make and dance around in my underwear singing Rihanna’s and Yoncè’s back catalogue’s like all you know you do! Try and learn the words to Nicki Minaj’s raps so I can just pull that shit out at parties. Wash and style my weaves. Make a bunch of snapchat selfie videos shamelessly. You know.
How did you get your start as a musician? Has it been something you just had to do or did you make a conscious decision to become a musician at some point?
I guess it was a conscious decision when I quit all other money making/energy sucking practises to focus on that. I think that’s a natural way to go for a passionate person. There was a moment when I was like, naw, this is all I want to do and I think it’s all I should do really.
I’m very aware of tall poppy syndrome and how deeply ingrained it is in us culturally. How we have to shit on our own artists and the sheer power that can have over an artists esteem and thus ability to actually become successful on an international level.
What tips would you give an Artist trying to succeed in Australia? Is there a certain route they should take?
I don’t know about other artists, but I do know it’s hard to succeed here. Unless you fit into a very small box then you really have to prove yourself outside of Australia, which really sucks. I think the only thing that creates success is persistence and unwavering direction. Like, staying on your own shit, no matter who tells you otherwise. Your “voice” can evolve but always stay true to what you want to say in the moment.
Have you had to overcome any challenges/adversity since starting in the music industry? If so, can you tell us about them and how you approached them?
I think the biggest challenge for me was how to stay true to what I wanted to do. How to be an evolving and autonomous artist who doesn’t let others decide how they should create.
A few years ago I found it difficult to stand up for my own direction because I had people telling me that they knew better and what would work for me and what wouldn’t. In the end you just have to say, fuck them. Because all those people with opinions get to go home for the holidays and be with their people and forget about you and your art and whether you failed or succeeded. You are always with you, so you better believe in those choices you made.
It bothers me that pop music is looked at as selling out or requiring less skill. It’s absolutely not.
From an artist’s perspective, what issues/potential issues do you think the current Australian music industry face?
It just feels limited and small-minded to me. I’m very aware of tall poppy syndrome and how deeply ingrained it is in us culturally. How we have to shit on our own artists and the sheer power that can have over an artists esteem and thus ability to actually become successful on an international level.
It bothers me that pop music is looked at as selling out or requiring less skill. It’s absolutely not.
What has been your most memorable moment of your career thus far?
Ahhhh I’ve got a goldfish memory. But the last few years have been very giving. I became friends with Ru Paul and collaborated on the title track of his last album, which was sickening. I recorded at the Stankonia Studios in Atlanta and whilst I was laying a vocal Big Boi came in, just for a casj hang, that was beyond. And not so long ago I made a cool ass record called ‘Pool’ which I am super proud of.
I got to work with so many great great people, MNDR introduced me to Jesse Shatkin who wrote Chandelier with Sia, and we wrote Still Goodbye together, that was a moment I remember so fondly.
Who are your role models, whether they be International/Australian?
Yoncè, Rihanna, Minaj. Boss bitches.
What does 2016 hold for you? Any exciting things that you can tell us about?
I am just now working on my live show so I can tour this album. Also working on some new material. This next live show will be eleganza as fuck, I’m collaborating with Daniel of Idol Official for stage wear that will be next levs amazing.
What are some of your hobbies outside of music?
I’m a light chaser. That’s some woo woo shit for you. Spiritual gangsta.
What are your Top 3 artists to watch?
I’m always watching what Kanye’s doing.
Rihanna is not done with the world.
Shamir is a cutie, I got my eye on him.
What is your go to karaoke song?
Anything by J Hud. Or, Adele. Naturally.
