Coco & Clair Clair (Nov. 2019)
Within the weavings of human interactions lies the ever rare, ever desired understanding of others. For one’s being to be wholly grasped by another is in itself divine, though difficult. For Coco & Clair Clair, it’s as natural as the freedom expressed within their music itself.
Hailing from Atlanta, Georgia; the two found their vision intertwined through the truth it could bring within their own lives. In any times of learning, answers could exist between the moments shared between them, their creation a vessel for growth.
But within finding answers for oneself, there is the realization that sharing the message is as powerful, and almost more so gratifying. Of course, if you’ve heard even a moment of Coco & Clair Clair, you know this is well understood.
By bringing into existence carefree and positive sonics within every song, a world of connection and love can exist pure. Every listener can find warmth within the songs lovingly crafted by two best friends.
In sharing their connection, Coco & Clair Clair create a worldwide bond of friendship, originating with their very own, only growing stronger which every shared memory.
Our first question as always, how are your days going and how have you been?
Clair Clair: Good, thanks for asking! We just got back from California.
To begin at your youth, what were each of your favourite childhood T.V. shows and why do you think the young versions of yourselves were drawn towards them?
CC: I wasn’t hugely into T.V., though I remember loving the S Club show. My parents are from England so I’ve always been fascinated by British pop culture. Also, the members of S Club were super hot...
Coco: The first show I remember loving a lot was Blue Clues. I thought it was so cool how with each clue they’d introduce a new melody associated with it and by the end when you had all the clues, it’d make a cute little song. Also Blue is an androgynous queen.
And how do you each personally reflect on your environments growing up and more so how it pushed you towards an artistic path?
CC: My dad has had a big influence on my interest in music. He’s always making me mix CDs, sharing his favorite artists with me and whatnot. But I was never musically inclined, I played soccer and wanted to be a fashion designer. For a period of time, I was obsessed with the idea of joining a band, I even bought a guitar, but never touched it. I was more interested in playing Sims.The internet has opened a lot of doors for people like Coco and I to find and create their own sound.
C: Everyone in my family pretty much loves music and has some sort of strong connection to it. My grand uncle was in a doo-wop group, The Chandeliers, that once opened for James Brown. My Great Aunt was in the was the first integrated, all women's band in the United States called The International Sweethearts of Rhythm. My grandpa was a radio disc jockey for 30+ years in Kansas City. As well, growing up with my step dad, who used to be a DJ too, really impacted me, my love for creating, and my passion for discovering new music.
Which art, music or beyond, do you feel was most formative as you entered music and creation? What allowed you to find your voices and true expression?
CC: I’ve always loved Grimes. A while ago she made a post online detailing how she makes her music, basically saying that anyone can do what she does with just a little bit of practice and the right machines, which is really cool. I hate the notion that music is for a very specific set of people who were either born special or went through years of school to become special. Creating music should be a completely open playing field, and Grimes is a great example of that. Even with all of her fame, she still seems quite independent and scrappy, which I love. As far as finding my voice goes, I owe a lot of that to my friendship with Coco. I couldn’t do this with anyone else! It’s just...a vibe...for lack of a better word.
C: I owe a lot to the people in my life like my parents, Claire, and basically all my friends. Ever since I got my first Macbook in 9th grade, I’ve tinkered making music with my friends in some way. I’d show my parents and they would never say, “this is absurd, you need to stop”. They’d encourage me even if it was just me rambling over an old chopped and screwed Salem Witch House beat about some kid in our class that no one in the world knew. Being able to create and not be criticized in the early stages I think was very vital for me and my growth creatively.
When entering music, what were your original visions and how would you compare them to the vision that stands now? Are the same goals existant or has the core changed?
CC: Initially, I assumed we would make a couple songs for friends to listen to at parties and that would be the end of it. Now our goals have obviously shifted, but we’re still figuring a lot out and taking it as it comes. A main goal of ours is to go on tour, either on our own or opening for a larger act.
C: I’ve always looked at music as a creative outlet, like a form of journaling. I think Claire and I are extremely lucky to have people who just so happen to like what we create because it very much started as something for ourselves, to see what we’re capable of and to maybe have our friends enjoy as well. My main goal is for us to keep creating songs that resonate with people in a way that cheers them up or makes them feel exuberant and carefree.
And on top of the growth of vision, what growth have you felt as individuals? Which experiences and ups and downs have allowed for you each to come into your own as artists?
CC: I still feel like I have so much to learn, there are aspects that really scare me like performing and dealing with the business pressures. I’ve grown and learned a lot from playing shows, which are usually the greatest ups and downs for me. I’m quite anxious and shy, but once we get on stage and experience the crowd’s energy, I feel amazing, so I’m learning to carry that confidence with me.
C: I think thanks to playing shows over the years, I’ve tapped into a part of myself I can’t imagine I ever would under any other circumstances. I used to have a lot of social anxiety and I still do, but performing has given me confidence that I now carry with me into other areas in my life.
As we near the end of the year, what’s been your best memory this year and why do you feel it important?
CC: I love when we travel for shows because we usually make a mini vacation out of it. We played one in Houston over the summer and stayed for the weekend in the pool house of this weird mansion/castle. We went swimming, visited museums, went to a house party and the show went really well because it was the first time we could hear ourselves in the monitors on stage, so that was nice. I just feel incredibly lucky that I get to travel and perform with one of my best friends, that will always be the best part of this.
C: Yes I agree with Claire! This year I think I’ve done the most traveling I’ve ever done in my life, and at first when I was looking at all the show dates and places we’d be going I was really nervous about it all, but it ended up being some of the absolute best times of my life. I’m so thankful to get to experience new places and meet new incredible people all the while having Claire by my side. This year may have been the best, most pivotal year of my life.
Now with your current work, how are you approaching creation and the structure and sonics of your music?
CC: The main focus is protecting our sound and staying true to what we know without becoming a one-trick pony. On our new EP not much has changed sonically, but we’ve definitely polished things up a bit.
And with this new project, what messages and emotions do you find expressed within it?
CC: Live laugh love
C: and that’s on wha?
Does it matter to you that the art you create is received as intended with the same messages, or do you find solace knowing that countless interpretations and answers are being found through the music?
CC: A lot of our lyrics are pretty straightforward and can only be interpreted one way. However, we have entire songs about specific people who have no idea, and to the average listener they’re just fun party songs. Once you release something to the public it’s inevitable that there will be multiple interpretations, you kind of have to throw in the towel and accept that. As a listener, I love applying my own meanings and stories to songs; so if doing that makes our music more enjoyable for someone, then so be it.
C: Yeah, I think the overall message is to just have fun, “live, laugh, love” as Claire previously said. I think it’s really cool when people can find ways to make what we’re saying fit whatever it is they’re going through and in turn find our music cathartic. I love getting DM’s about some of our most violent songs and people are like “this cured me”. How is us singing about stabbing people curing anyone? I’m not sure, but I love it.
Looking at the larger picture, is there a desire to leave a legacy with music or is there more importance in simply inspiring creating in the present day?
CC: I definitely value the idea of making a song that can stand the test of time and it’s nice to imagine people listening to our music 20 years from now, but I prefer to focus on the present since things are changing at such a rapid pace.
C: When I think about all the artists I used to listen to on Myspace that have inspired me and the feelings I get when I hear songs like “Hot Like Wow” or anything by Uffie - that’s how I want people to feel when they hear us years down the road.
What memories, going into this new decade, do you both hope to create? What are the moments that you are almost nostalgic for before they arrive?
CC: Attending an awards show together and travelling the world.
C: I can’t wait for Claire and I one day to be sitting next to Rihanna and her future child at Paris Fashion Week, 12pm on a Tuesday, blitzed out of our minds just living our best life.
And to finish, what’s one film that everyone reading should watch tonight?
CC: The Pink Panther from 2006 with Steve Martin and Beyonce because it always makes me laugh.
C: Gone Girl because the lady in that movie literally snapped the tea.
Do you have any thanks to say or final thoughts to know you’ve said into existence?
CC: Thank you to Slug Christ for basically giving us our start, and thank you to you for asking thoughtful questions.
C: Thank you Slug Christ and thank you to all my fellow Barbz, y’all are gorgeous.