Los Angeles-based indie-pop artist Tess Clare has carved a name for herself with emotive lyrics touching on themes of love, relationships, self-discovery, and all manners of highs and lows. Here, Tess shares the inspiration behind her latest single ‘Jump Into The Water,’ her journey as an artist, and the risks she’s taken along the way. Dubbing the vibe “self-deprecating diva,” Tess speaks to her creative process in offering candid advice to the aspiring musician, with a look into her future plans of combining raw, honest storytelling with cinematic visuals.
Would you like to start by telling us a little about yourself?
Hey! My name is Tess Clare, I’m an indie pop artist based in LA, originally from the Chicago area. My songs draw on my own life, through relationships, self-exploration, and the waves of joy and anxiety.
How would you describe the overall vibe of your music?
Self-deprecating diva
You have recently released your single, ‘Jump Into The Water’ what was the inspiration behind the creation of this song?
I made this song when I was deep in my over-romanticizing, delusional state, thinking this guy I was talking to in London was going to magically decide to move and be with me (this was after me ending a 7 year, long-distance relationship with my ex who lived in France, so my sense of reality was a little warped – lol)
You describe “Jump into the Water” as a sexy, fun, unapologetic confession. What message do you hope listeners take away from it?
The hope is that no matter what the outcome is, it’s always better in my opinion to own your feelings and get them off your chest rather than to bottle them up inside. So shoot your shot, and it’ll work out or you move on to the next!
Your music is known for its raw emotion and honesty. How do you approach writing songs that are so personal yet universally relatable?
I try to tell vulnerable, personal stories while still relaying them in a conversational manner. I think there’s something so magical in songwriting when you can find the perfect combination of fun and serious, being super personal yet also relatable, because at the end of the day, we’re all going through different versions of the same experiences.
“Jump into the Water” encourages listeners to take risks. Can you share a personal story where taking a risk paid off for you?
One of the biggest risks I took that paid off was leaving my high school after sophomore year to attend an arts boarding school, Interlochen Arts Academy. Going from attending a small school in the Chicago suburbs that I had gone to since elementary to a brand new school in the middle of the woods in Northern Michigan was a major jump for me. It paid off though because I had this deep desire that wasn’t being fulfilled at my previous school, which was a sense of belonging and purpose within the arts. I knew there was a place where I could grow tenfold as an artist and songwriter, as well as meet other kids similar to me, and it was truly one of the best experiences of my life.
What advice would you give to aspiring independent artists trying to make it in the music scene today?
Create a world within your music where your inner child can be free, and hopefully the right people will find it and embrace it as their own.
How do you see your music evolving in the next few years? Are there any new directions you’re excited to explore?
I see music becoming a lot more visual-focused, with a rise in music videos since social media and video content is so relevant with music marketing. I’m excited to continue making more of my music come to life in cinematic, short film-type ways, building my own universe.
What is one message you would like to share with your fans?
Be both a humble and a badass bitch.
Where can people find your music?
Everywhere! Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon, Youtube, Tidal, etc. Also, follow me on insta and TikTok to keep up with my unreleased music/ announcements
You can listen to ‘Jump Into The Water’ below:
Karen Harding is a Melbourne, Australia based singer/songwriter, founder of Sounds On The Couch, and founder and operator of boutique music PR service for emerging and independent artists, Rise Indie.