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Artist Interviews
Q&A: Clare Maguire
By CMU Editorial | Published on Wednesday 16 February 2011
Sultry singing siren Clare Maguire was signed to Polydor having caught the ears of label scouts with a number of rough but arresting MySpace demos. She spent two subsequent years touring and recording, and in her various travels encountered super-producer Fraser T Smith – who’s worked with the likes of Cee-Lo, Britney and Ellie Goulding – and with whom she collaborated on debut album ‘Light After Dark’.
Following the later release of first single ‘Ain’t Nobody’, the colossal Breakage remix of which has just added a certain ‘va va voom’ to a certain French car advert, Maguire was heavily featured as one of 2011’s ‘hot tips’ on just about every shortlist going. Having just played a jubilant homecoming date in her native Birmingham, her UK tour will recommence on 25 Mar in Manchester. In eager anticipation of new track ‘The Last Dance’ which is scheduled to come out next Monday (21 Feb), followed by the album release on 28 Feb, we caught up with Clare to ask the Same Six.
Q1 How did you start out making music?
I remember singing from a very young age and always knowing I wanted to be a musician. I was making up songs by the age of seven and by the time I turned fifteen I was recording demos. I’ve always been obsessed with music.
Q2 What inspired your latest album?
Many things. I knew before writing this album that I wanted it to be called ‘Light After Dark’. I like the vision and the uplifting sentiment and wanted all of the songs to have the same feel but different stories. I get inspired by people, conversations, artwork, films, artists, fashion, sadness, hope, life and much more…
Q3 What process do you go through in creating a track?
It happens differently all the time, but usually I will feel something very strongly and then almost make stories with visions in my head, and the words just flow out; though I usually hear the music first.
Q4 Which artists influence your work?
Many artists, from musicians like Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Howling Wolf, Johnny Cash and Michael Jackson, to actors such as Marilyn Monroe and Marlon Brando; and from films like ‘The Godfather’ and ‘This is England’ to Renaissance art and religious paintings.
Q5 What would you say to someone experiencing your music for the first time?
Let’s begin.
Q6 What are your ambitions for your latest album, and for the future?
My ambition is to get a fan base who I can play live to for the next few months, this was the start for me, I am writing so much more since touring and since I have communication with a fan base. I am hoping to put out much more music, and to keep changing and growing with my fans.
MORE>> www.claremaguire.co.uk
