Fermanagh singer Clara Tracey has released her debut album, Black Forest. We asked her the BIG questions . . .
Clara fell in love with the piano at a young age, however her music career took a detour while she studied Law and French in Belfast. It was only after moving to France and experiencing life in a Parisian law firm that she discovered a more artistic lifestyle and started performing in jazz cafes around Paris.
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In 2015, she moved back to Dublin and has since performed at Electric Picnic, Body & Soul, Another Love Story and various Dublin venues under various names and guises.
She has played with Aoife Nessa Frances, Maija Sofia and Paddy Hanna. Clara has also toured internationally, playing solo shows in Montreal, Paris, London, and New York.
Black Forest produced by Daniel Fox (Gilla Band) and recorded between lockdowns at Sonic Studios, Stoneybatter in Dublin.
She says it is the culmination of many years and experiments in song writing. Her soundscapes and lyrics draw cues from the erotic heroes and heroines of French chanson and literature, from Gainsbourg and Birkin to Colette and Despentes.
Tell us three things about yourself . . .
Nocturnal, hyper, cheese fiend.
How would you describe your music?
I seize up when asked this. A lovely northern journalist by the name of McFee said "noir pop psychedelia" recently if I can steal that.
Who are your musical inspirations?
I often go about my day in silence or with BBC Radio 3 on in the background. Over the years I have been obsessed with Scott Walker, Burt Bacharach, the Joy of Piano Duets, John Adams, Alexandre Desplat soundtracks, O'Carolan, Barbara, Jaqueline Taïeb, David Holmes...
Favourite Lyric?
I had a chaise longue before that Wet Leg song came out. I’d always wanted one and the universe set me up the week I moved to Belfast. Anyway, that is pretty much me "on the chaise longue, on the chaise longue, on the chaise longue, All day long, on the chaise longue"
What was the first gig you ever went to?
Christy Moore at the local leisure centre with my dad when I was about nine. We were down the back but very much doused in frantic energy, sweat and (for a nine-year-old) verses. Could have been Westlife, thank god for Christy!
What was the first record you ever bought?
I was in love with Shania Twain circa 1999 (That Don’t Impress Me Much is a direct line to my childhood bedroom) but I think the first CD I bought was Eminem’s 8 Mile. Precursor to my French dub phase.
What’s your favourite song right now?
My three-year-old niece’s is Tomorrow from Annie and I can’t get it out of my head, I’ve taken to playing that soundtrack on the piano which fills me with a very specific bitter sweet nostalgia. I’m also a big fan of Robocobra’s Wellness.
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Pure Imagination for listening. Junon by Shye Ben Tzur, Johnny Greenwood and co for dancing.
Where can people find your music/more information?
Instagram, Facebook, Twitter.
