Meet Clara Kay | Musician, Student, Artist, Ruckus Maker

We had the good fortune of connecting with Clara Kay and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Clara, do you have some perspective or insight you can share with us on the question of when someone should give up versus when they should keep going?
Most of the time I don’t know if I’m going in the right direction. But I focus more on if I’m learning and trying every day to move somewhere. People say it’s not about the destination but the journey, and I agree with that in many aspects. The journey is where most of the story is written, and I like to let my questions and curiosities guide my journey. Nothing is linear, especially when it comes to success and becoming a person you can be proud of. It’s in my greatest challenges that I’ve pondered the most. It’s also of course important to check in with yourself, making sure you are feeling right and enjoying what you are working towards.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I like to write music, specifically composition, both electronically and acoustically. I’m all about using noise to express myself, so feedback and static and distortion are always welcome in my sonic world. I also make my own cover art, which I love because I miss my art classes. I’ve learned how to do it all solo, but I’m always inspired to dip into the worlds of my peers, and sometimes they are the missing piece to my work. I have solo work: lofi, sampling-inspired music that you can study/space out to. I’m also in a band, Wombat and the Monkeyman, and we are still working on our sound. I’m aiming for a band with a shoegaze-inspired, gothic sound, but I’m not there yet with this one. I’m different because I often find myself self with different musical inspiration compared to my peers. For example, growing up two of my favorite artists were Moby and The Chemical Brothers. Currently, a few artists I’m currently inspired by include Reiko Kudo, BUCK-TICK, Airiel, and Nujabes. I’m inspired by how strongly my emotions and thoughts can be swayed by music, and the way music can be used to encapsulate memories and time.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Mutiny Information Cafe is definitely one of my favorite places to stop for a coffee, show, book, or comic on the weekend. Commons Park has a lot of nice grassy areas to relax, people watch, or read. Globe Hall is a great destination for live music and good food. I also the aquarium and the art museums here.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I want to dedicate this shoutout to my wonderful partner, Finn Offensend. He has been there for me not just as a partner and friend in personal matters, but as someone I can rely on for unfiltered insight on my music endeavors and questions. I also want to shoutout my band, Wombat and the Monkeyman, and the band members who invited me to be their vocalist/band manager/rhythm guitarist. I have learned so much through working with them. I would also like to shoutout my parents, because their continuous support of me as a person and as an artist is the reason why I can be here today telling my story. Lastly, I’d like to thank my violin teacher from when I was in high school, who encouraged my compositions and helped me figure out what I want to do with my life.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/clararanaway/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/clarakay/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@clararanaway

Other: Bandcamp: https://claruin.bandcamp.com/ Soundcloud: https://on.soundcloud.com/8dWTj

Image Credits
Jason Myers (memorandum_media)