Artist to Watch: Clark and the Community
“Artist to Watch: Clark & the Community”…
…is an interview with singer/songwriter/producer Chris.Clark (just say “Chris Clark”). Chris has been making music since a teenager, producing music that blends soulful samples from past hits with the electronic flare of the future. When asked why he moved from calling himself as a musician Chris.Clark, a way to use both his name and the idea that we are our own destinations (.Clark instead of .com), to Clark the Community, he said that his various voices in the background are the community. Blending with and harmonizing against the melody, which itself is as amorphous as the genre. Is this Soul music? Rhythm and Blues? Jazz? Electronica? Gospel? Avante-Garde? One could argue for all of the above but it seems more fitting that this music from The Devotion Demos remains in its own league.
Clark and the Community in an entrepreneurial act for Chris.Clark. He’s released this album on his own time without a label, maintaining control of what comes out and when. This means he controls everything from the album cover design to his Twitter page. He speaks more about having this level of creative power over his vision below.
I interviewed Chris.Clark October 31st, 2014 via Google Documents (shout out to Google for making life so much easier).
Phillip: I want to start off by asking you to go through in however much detail the early period of your career. Because you are still so young (24), you have to start us even earlier because you’ve been doing this for years.
Chris: Career is such a new word for me. I started making music at 16 and I was very much a beat head. I sung as well but it wasn’t a “thing” until after high school. I made beats and had a beat tape like everybody else. I interned here and there and had access to a studio for some time, so I was blessed with the opportunity to learn as much as I could. After that, I started moving around and meeting folks. I would find work in music but nothing was ever solid so I officially moved to New York in 2012 to take things “seriously”.
photo by Chris.Clark
P: So sixteen is relatively young. It sounds as though you had a vision of what you wanted to do that has held solidly throughout the years. This fits into the title of your EP “The Devotion Demos”. Can you speak on what “devotion” means to you and how you see any of your old self in this work? What part of this EP is history and what part is personal mythology, like a figuring out a truth through the lens of fiction?
C: The word devotion became pretty important to me these past couple of years. I’ve confronted so many demons that postponed a lot of progress. Through it all, I’ve found, and continue to find love and loyalty inside of myself and that’s pretty life changing. This project was most definitely a personal declaration before anything else. I can say that all the songs are fairly relevant to a lot of experiences in my life. I’m generally a private person so releasing this was a challenge.
P: Can you please go into depth about your writing process? The lyrics are so complicated but also very straight-forward. Where does your handle on language come from?
C: I’m a big fan of magnetic poetry and I format most of my songs that way. I’ll write/record words that are significant to me and maintain a good balance of ambiguity so I’m not giving my life away. Most times, I’ll throw tons of ideas/hooks/verses on a track and I’ll chop and restructure everything to create a story of some sort. I’m also a big fan of Frank Zappa. He wrote these ridiculous songs, telling the most ridiculous stories in a way that really inspired me. He said “There is no such thing as a dirty word. Nor is there a word so powerful, that it’s going to send the listener to the lake of fire upon hearing it.” Upon reading that, I felt more comfortable uncensoring myself and saying what I wanted, how I wanted, however complicated it may seem.
P: In the song “Grow Me My Lord” you have the lyrics “I wouldn’t want to be a child or a man/ don’t want to be your child or your man”. How do you see the idea of “growing up” appearing in this song? What is the relationship between the singer and the Lord here and on the EP in general? There seems to be a conflict of faith but also a love/hate relationship that points to something larger.
C: Well I grew up in Church. It’s definitely a staple in my life and one that I can’t ignore. I had my conflict with religion early on. “Grow Me My Lord” is a sweet denial. A “thanks but no thanks” to an idea of god that didn’t serve me.
“the d e v o t i o n demos” album cover
P: Let’s talk about how love and the erotic are presented on “The Devotions EP”. In the song “O Blige”. At first I thought this was an ode to Mary J. Blige (haha) but the lyrics told a different story. You say “she’s my love and one and only type of guy” and “She’s my addiction/ my affliction/my bittersweet end.” It definitely nods to Hip Hop and 90s R&B with its sound and references (Jodeci’s “Forever My Lady” and Dr. Dre’s “Next Episode”), and the dark realities of love that we might want alongside our pleasures.
On this EP love is fluid, dangerous, and a strange comfort. Can you talk more about how you view love on this album?
C: Well, I wouldn’t say that love is the brightest prospect. I actually get really uncomfortable talking about it. The “love” songs on this project were pretty forced to be honest, but they sound good eh?
P: What are some lessons you learned about music. In your bio you talk about mainstream song writing not being a good fit for you. For people trying to break into music, who are young and ambitious but might not have the wisdom to know what their next move should be, what would you say are the best ways to get into this industry? What should they be wary of?
C: There are some great singers and writers who are doing some amazing things in the “industry” that you might not get to know. It’s really easy to get taken advantage of when you want it that badly. It is definitely a business and you absolutely have to treat it as such. Know what the hell is going on. Get a lawyer and learn as much as you can to protect yourself and your work.
As for me, I don’t think any major label is looking for art. They want a “hit”. And after a while you’ll want a “hit” and that’s when it becomes that much easier to lose your artistry in the hustle. And I just couldn’t let go of myself enough to play the game with everyone else who wanted it so much more than me. They deserve it.
P: Who are some artists from your generation whom you look up to?
C: Man, all of them! I’m pretty glad to be alive and able to experience all of these expressive folks and be one them. I’m a big Madlib fan. It was actually he and gnarls barkley who inspired the layout for The Devotion Demos. I also love peculiar voices. Especially men. I’m a big St. Vincent supporter. I’ve been really digging her for the past few months. She’s really inspiring. I’m listening to a lot of Seven Davis Jr out of L.A. I’m starting to really get into house music. It’s opening a new sound for me.
“Chicago Prayer” photo by Chris.Clark
P: What’s next for Chris.Clark? What can we expect and where can we find you in the future?
C: I ask myself the same question every day. Anything can happen. I’ll be recording and trying to pay rent somewhere in the country. I’m just trying to enjoy this whole experience of being alive and aware. I’ll make some art that reflects that and maybe folks will catch on and I’ll inspire.
For More Info:
You can reach Chris.Clark on Twitter.
Be sure to also subscribe to his SoundCloud.
And do not forget to check out his album on Bandcamp.
~Phillip
Glappitnova unites influencers and talent from different industries through storytelling, performances, classes, and events for one crazy 8 day experience in Chicago.The opinions expressed here by Glappitnova.com contributors are their own, not those of Glappitnova.com.
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