I stumbled upon Clare Perrott’s music while scrolling through my social media feed, as many of us do these days, and was immediately drawn to her raw, emotive sound. After listening to a few tracks, I knew I had to reach out and learn more about this talented up-and-coming artist. Clare’s blend of folk, singer-songwriter influences, and country undertones is refreshing, and I was eager to hear her thoughts on her musical journey and creative process.
Clare Perrott is a small singer-songwriter based in Boorloo, the land now known as Perth, Australia. She’s carved out her own space in the music scene with a style that’s all about “creating feeling and meaning” through song. Her influences span a wide range of genres, from folk to country to indie rock, and she’s constantly experimenting with different sounds as she hones her craft. While she’s still relatively new to the scene, Clare’s passion for live music and her dedication to getting better at it shines through in her work.
Born into a household where music was always playing, Clare’s journey into music started at a young age. “My parents are really cool and have always had music playing in some form,” she explains. “They forced me to do piano when I was a kid. I actually hated it! But then when I was around 11, I started learning guitar, and I kind of cheesed it, but then I fell in love.” This early exposure to music sparked something in Clare, and she hasn’t looked back since.
One pivotal moment in Clare’s life came when she listened to Phoebe Bridgers for the first time. The deeply personal yet relatable nature of Bridgers’ songwriting inspired Clare to pick up a pen and start writing her own music. “I didn’t understand how she could make things so personal but somehow relatable,” Clare says, “so thanks, Pheebs!” Bridgers’ influence can be heard in Clare’s songwriting, which often explores personal experiences with an authenticity that resonates with listeners.
Despite the challenges of juggling university, work, and music, Clare has been keeping busy and making strides in her musical career. “I really cannot complain! Just getting into the year (even though it’s March) and just getting some really cool things organised,” she shares. “But just doing the classic Uni, work, and music switch around.” It’s clear that Clare is committed to her craft, and her dedication is paying off.
The evolution of her sound has been an interesting journey. Initially, Clare’s music leaned heavily into a country vibe, drawing influence from iconic artists like Fleetwood Mac and Neil Young. But over time, she’s shifted toward a more folk-centric sound, incorporating elements of Joni Mitchell, Laura Marling, Billie Marten, and Faye Webster. “It’s definitely been a tricky thing to navigate,” Clare admits. “I started out with a very distinctive country sound, but I’m starting to go a bit left of that. I’ve been experimenting a bit more with the folk singer-songwriter genre and adding a tiny bit of twang. I’m a bit lost, but hey, I’ll figure it out!” That willingness to experiment and evolve is part of what makes Clare’s music so exciting to follow.
Like many independent artists today, Clare has experienced the pressures of navigating the digital landscape. “I definitely feel like recently you do need to have a strong social media presence for your music to perform well,” she says. “Especially with TikTok and all that jazz and the pressure for a song to be marketable and trendy. I think I am just lazy, so getting on top of that stuff has been a bit tricky, and it adds a lot of pressure onto artists entering the business.” Despite these challenges, Clare remains focused on her music, taking each day as it comes and staying true to herself.
As an artist, Clare’s advice is simple yet powerful: “Take a chance on something. I find it all very daunting, but I love it, and I’m lucky enough to have a crack at it, so why not?” She’s certainly taking her own advice to heart as she continues to evolve and carve out her place in the music world.
If there’s one thing Clare would change about the industry, it’s the need for more inclusion and support for live music. “For me and a lot of people, it just comes down to improving inclusion and getting more people interested in live music so we can support the killer venues we have,” she says.
As Clare continues to grow as an artist, it’s clear that she’s on a path that’s uniquely her own, and I, for one, can’t wait to see where it takes her. Keep an eye out for her upcoming tracks, including the recently debuted “Tyrus” and “HCITY,” both of which she’s excited to perform live. For Clare, the journey is just beginning, and she’s ready to embrace whatever comes next.
When it comes to performing, Clare has had her fair share of memorable gigs. “Once I performed at a supermarket in front of a fridge, and that went crazy!” she recalls with a laugh. “Otherwise, I’ve been very lucky with my gigs. I’ve loved them all!” It’s clear that Clare has a deep love for live music, and she’s constantly striving to improve her live performance skills. Her creative process reflects this passion for growth. “I like to write in a quiet mindset, mainly in my bedroom. I’m not usually a lyrics-first type of person; I usually just fiddle around on the guitar until I find something I like. And then from there, I sketch out some lyrics to what the chords feel.” This organic approach to songwriting allows Clare’s creativity to flow freely and results in some truly captivating music.
As for future collaborations, Clare has one name at the top of her list: Adrianne Lenker, the lead singer of Big Thief. “I would love to collaborate with Adrianne Lenker!” Clare says enthusiastically. “I am a huge fan of her work.” If she had the opportunity to open for any artist, she would choose Faye Webster, another major influence on her music. “I am in love with her,” Clare admits.
