Where are you currently based?
Napanee, Ontario, Canada.
How did you first start playing music?
My father’s side of the family is very musical and I had grown up around music and had always been exposed to it. I started singing at the age of two, I would sing myself to sleep as a child. I was in music lessons for over ten years in my early childhood, and it ended up being my passion.
What’s been happening recently?
Recently, I’ve got a lot of live shows coming up which is exciting because it’s been about two years with the pandemic since I’ve been able to play! I was also nominated for Roots Country Artist of the Year at the upcoming 2022 Country Music Association of Ontario Awards. Just being recognized for that is a really big accomplishment for me. I’m also starting to work towards my first full-length record, so there are a lot of exciting things on the go right now.
Your latest single ‘Kiss Strangers’ is out now, what influenced the sound and song writing?
I wanted to write a more upbeat song, because most of my music is a slower tempo, and this is what we had come up with. I think that it has more of a pop flare, with a sassy vibe but it’s still very much me as an artist. I wanted to be able to show my diversity, as a musician and deliver something a little more fun to my audience.
How did “Kiss Strangers” come about?
It was written with two other writers – Bobbi Smith and David Borys – and it all started with a song title I had kicking around. We all dug into what the meaning of “Kiss Strangers,” would mean to us and this is what we had come up with. It was obvious that it was going to be a breakup song, by just the title alone. There was something fierce and sassy about the whole concept, and we really brought that to life in the chorus of the song.
What do you attribute most to your success with hit singles?
I think what makes a hit single is a catchy chorus, that’s when you know you’ve got a good song. If the hook is stuck in your head, then you’ve just nailed the most important part!
You also have a music video for the single, where and when did you film and who did you work with?
The music video for “Kiss Strangers” was filmed in two locations in the Toronto area. The first spot is called Cherry Colas, a really neat burlesque bar downtown, and the second location was filmed just outside of the city in an apartment building. Believe it or not, the apartment is turned into a nightclub in the evening! Roadhouse Productions does all of my video shoots. They are a great team to work with and always know how to bring a vision to life!
How did the concept for this video come about?
The video is more basic, but it is the set and location that really grabs your attention, along with the really neat graphics in the chorus! The concept is for the viewer to feel empowered and strong when they watch this video and I think we captured exactly that with the performance of the song. I did have other plans for the music video that told a little more of a story but with the pandemic it didn’t make it easy to arrange with the constant lockdowns. Overall, I’m still really stoked on how the video turned out!
What did you most enjoy about the creative process?
My favourite part about the creative process during a shoot, is finding the perfect set locations that are really interesting, and go with the theme of the song.
You co-founded ‘The Songbird Series’ which is a song writing series that is focused on females in country music. How did this come about and how has the experience been so far?
This came about just before the pandemic hit. It’s a female-empowered writers round, but still inclusive of males. It’s to focus on female talent because this industry lacks that. I thought it would be a great idea to bring a little Nashville to Canada, and host writers rounds here, because the talent in Ontario is undeniable! During the pandemic we did some online live shows, but now that the world is opening back up, we have our very first show in Fenelon Falls, Ontario in June at The Grove Theatre. This is a magical outdoor theatre nestled amongst the trees, and it’s the perfect spot to kick of the Songbirds series very first live show!
Who are you listening to at the moment?
I’m loving Nate Smith he is a true talent. I’ve also been obsessing over Maren Morris’s new album “Humble Quest.”
What do you like to do away from music?
I love the outdoors, ATV’s, dirt bikes and boating. I really enjoy spending my time camping, and hiking, really anything that connect me with nature.
What’s planned for 2022?
I’ll be continuing to work toward my new record “Stealing Hearts.” I’ve got a lot of live shows planned, and I’m really looking forward to just getting back out there and playing live music again!
Favourite food and place to hang out?
I love my fiancé’s wood oven pizza; nobody makes a better pizza than him! I love to hang out in front of a nice cozy campfire, or at the lake! If I’m not there, then catch me on the couch binge-watching Netflix!
Facebook: @EmilyClairMusic
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Twitter: @EmilyClairMusic