Chit Chatting with Stacy Clark

Written by: Jill Sheets

Stacy Clark

Picture credit: Douglas Sonders

Recently Relate had the honor of interviewing singer Stacy Clark. Continue reading and learning about Stacy and her new CD “Connect the Dots.”

R: How long have you been singing?

S: I started in the womb. Just kidding, however I have always loved to sing. When I was five I use to make my Mom watch me sing. My sister and I would take the banisters off the bed and use them as microphones. I was in choir in elementary school through college. Musicals in middle school, then bands. I don’t consider myself a singer, I just love singing.

R: You also play the guitar, piano and bass. How long have you been playing, and which one is your favorite to play and why?

S: My favorite instrument is the piano. I am still new at it, but I really enjoy composing on it. If I hear someone playing Chopin or something really beautiful on the piano it can bring me to tears. I have been playing guitar 15 years and am most comfortable with that. Bass is something I picked up a few years ago – I used to play bass in a friend’s band in return for them backing me up. I now have a completely different band, so these days I don’t play bass as much

R: You taught yourself how to play the guitar. How long did it take your learn to play it?

S: I learned fairly quickly. I was learning at the same time I started learning snowboarding, but I broke my elbow so found myself with a lot of time on my hands. I couldn’t snowboard for the rest of the season so I started practicing the guitar. I knew I wanted to write and perform for a living. Singing and playing the guitar just made sense, just like art and sports make sense to me. I bought chord books and taught myself. I started a folk choir at my church and just kept at it. It’s been a long road and I am no Jimi Hendrix, but it’s about enjoying to play.

R: You are not only a singer, but a songwriter. When did you start to write songs? What was your first song about?

S: I started writing poems at 8. I was dealing with a lot of things emotionally with my family and life, so I wrote about my feelings. When I was sad, mad, happy, etc. I would write about everything. In high school, it was hard for me to pay attention because I had so many songs in my head and kept writing poems. Writing and creating became my addiction. I couldn’t stop thinking about music and traveling. I come from a small town and the world seemed so big to me. There are so many places I want to see, so many cultures I want to experience. I am happy to have writing as an outlet because it keeps me sane. The first song I ever wrote is called “Undecided”. It’s about how I don’t know what the future holds, my purpose, and all those other emotions you go through in high school.

R: Where do you come up with the ideas for your songs, and what is your songwriting process? Do you start with the words?

S: I find it funny when people ask me this question, because there is no set process that I use. Sure there are a lot of ways to write a song, but for me the most pure song just flows naturally. I can write for TV, jingles, and just about anything, however when I am writing for myself or a record I draw from emotions and the songs are like verbal vomit: “Blah” – and there it is. Sometimes I write melodies on the guitar or piano first and then lyrics, or vice-versa. Most of the time ideas for songs come to me while I’m driving or right before I go to sleep.

R: One of your first performances was at a local open mic at Nietzsche’s. Tell us about that? How old were you? Do you remember what song/s you preformed?

S: It was an awesome experience. I was only 15 and at that time the music world was so new to me. There was this underground folk scene in my own backyard and the talent that came through Buffalo was amazing. To see and be exposed to that kind of raw talent really helped me become who I am today. I played a lot of original songs, which were poems I wrote to music. I think I performed some covers of local bands and of course Ani DiFranco. Ani is an amazing independent artist from Buffalo. There is no better role model then someone from your hometown who has a career that they created independently. Buffalo is a very musical, artistic town and I feel extremely blessed to have grown up there.

R: How would you describe your music?

S: Feel good sing-alongs and emotional, folk-Pop-Rock.

R: Tell us about your new album “Connect the Dots.” How long did it take you to make this album from start to finish?

S: CTD is an album I am really proud of. It’s very different from my last album in that it’s more mature. It’s meant to make you think and listen. The lyrics are dealing with different subject matters: There are still love songs and happy pop songs, but also you have songs like ‘Hide’ and ‘Misery’ that are little more introspective. The album took a little over a month to record from start to finish. Mastering, mixing, and artwork adds on a little more time.

R: Tell us about your single “Touch & Go.” How did you come up for the idea for this song?

S: I was in a recording studio and got a call from my manager asking me if I had the word “Touch” in any songs. I didn’t, but I wrote an idea on the spot about how I was feeling: There never seems to be enough time to spend with those you love. I had been living in Venice Beach for a month and did not have a car. I only saw my friends when they occasionally stopped by. I’m used to living with my dogs and seeing my friends often, but this was a time when I was by myself in the studio. “Touch & Go” came out of that experience because of the emotions I was feeling at the time.

R: What is your favorite song on the new album? Which song is your favorite to perform on stage and why?

S: It changes. Right now it’s ‘Not Enough’. I really love the production and structure of that song. It’s all the instruments that make it so special. I like the areas where the trumpets come in and enjoy the way the dynamics build. I like performing all my songs but if I’m playing with my full band my favorite song is ‘White Lies’. As a five piece there is a lot of dynamic and energy. ‘White Lies’ is a really fun song that everyone in the band enjoys – and it shows.

R: Many of your songs have been featured on TV shows. What was it like to when you first heard one of your songs on TV? Where were you?

S: I was in my old apartment at the time watching TV. It was an amazing proud feeling that I still get every time I hear one of my songs on TV.

Stacy Clark Connect the Dots

Picture credit: Douglas Sonders

R: You have won many music awards. Tell us about your recent one for Orange County Music Awards – - Best Pop.

S: It was a great honor and a complete surprise. It feels great to be recognized for something my band and I worked hard for.

R: If you could do a duet with anyone in the world, who would it be and why?

S: Stevie Nicks. I love her songs and voice. I also adore Fleetwood Mac. She is amazing.

R: What is the best advice you have ever gotten and by who?

S: I find the best wisdom comes from scripture or Buddha. There are so many things to learn from both.

2 Chronicles 15:7 “But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded.”

“If we could see the miracle of a single flower clearly, our whole life would change.” -Buddha

R: What advice would you give teenage girls?

S: I loved high school. I feel it’s very different now than when I went. Everyone is in such a rush to grow up so enjoy being a teenager. Believe in yourself. Enjoy your friends. If your friends are crappy, find new ones. Take lots of photos. Take interest in something, whether its sports, art, music, studies or your community. Don’t feel pressure to have sex. Value yourself. If you do have sex, make sure its protected. There is so much out in the world to see and experience. College is a wonderful experience. You won’t regret it. Don’t smoke. If you go to concerts or dancing wear earplugs. Don’t drink and drive. If you want to be treated like an adult then be responsible. Be friends with boys first, then you can see if they are worth dating.

R: What bands and singers can be found on your ipod or mp3 player? What is your favorite song by each one?

S: Oh my, I have hundreds of bands on my ipod. I can’t possibly list my favorite song by each one. Here are five artists and songs that I can’t listen to enough.

Trevor Hall – Origami Crane

Minus the Bear – Summer Angel

Swim Swam Swum – Miss Magoo

Rihanna – Photographs

Miike Snow – Animal

R: What is your favorite song to belt out in the car?

S: It depends what is in my cd player or on the radio. I do love everything from Lykke Li to Notorious B.I.G. If I had to belt our a pop song on the radio right now it would be “Empire State Of Mind” by Jay Z & Alicia Keys. It makes me miss my friends in NYC and want to go visit them.

R: What are five things people may not know about you?

S: I have three tattoos. One on my neck, back and foot. I quit varsity basketball to snowboard. I’ve lived in Buffalo/Long Island/Plattsburgh NY. Vermont. Hawaii,. Portland, OR. San Diego & Orange County, California. One of my first jobs was at Panda Express in the food court at the mall. I use to hold the orange chicken sample plate. It weighed a ton.

R: Do you have any charities that are close to your heart? If so, tell us about them.

S: There are many nonprofits that have personally affected my life such as the American Red Cross and Music Saves Lives. When I was a senior in high school I had to get an emergency blood platelet transfusion. It was a very difficult time in my life and the doctors didn’t know if I had cancer or what was exactly wrong with me. If I did not have that transfusion I would have died. That is why organizations like the American Red Cross and Music Saves Lives are close to my heart. Donating blood is one of the best things you can do.

The ASPCA is a wonderful organization that rescues homeless animals. There are so many abandoned animals that die because shelters are at maximum capacity. If you are going to get a dog, and it’s your first time, then why not adopt? I rescued my silky terrier Oliver and could not be happier. He is the best dog and the love of my life.

In meeting people and making friends I have found that everyone has a story to tell. There are so many great causes, so why not try to help with as many as I can? I have friends with terminal illnesses such as CF, friends diagnosed with MS, diabetes, cancer, depression- so I wanted to help get involved with charities working to help find cures and raise awareness. These include: CHOC, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation: Great Strides, National MS Society, To Write Love On Her Arms, Orangewood Children’s Foundation, Peta, American Cancer Society Relay for Life, Habitat For Humanity, and the Second Harvest Food Bank of OC. There are so many great causes and non-profits I still want to work with. I don’t feel we should ever limit ourselves to one thing. I try to do my best to raise money or donate time to help in any way possible.

R: What has been your favorite touring memory?

S: There are so many. Our country is a large and beautiful place. There are so many different towns and types of people. My favorite thing is to experience each town as best as I can, especially if I’m playing in a city I have never been to before. If there is time in the schedule I like to taste local food and see the sites that town is known for. I love finding one-of-a-kind vintage shops, taking photos and making scrapbooks at the end of each tour. Sometimes I am fondest of the simplest things, like pulling over in the Rockies to star-gaze, or camping out at a music festival. Above all, touring the chance to see friends around the country, even if only for a short time.

R: What is the nicest thing a fan has ever said or done for you?

S: The things people share with me make all the craziness in this industry worth it. The most recent thing that happened was during filming of my video for “Hold On”. A small video crew and I were in downtown LA shooting guerrilla-style. The music video is going to be used for the nonprofit “To Write Love On Her Arms”. This man who lives on the streets walked up and was watching. It was about 2:30am and I was singing the song to my ipod for one of our last takes while being filmed. I noticed him and even though it was what seemed like my 50th time singing the song, I wanted to sing it better for him. He stood there for about ten minutes. Then he tells me “Your going to make it. I believe in you.” In that particular moment I felt that was one of the nicest things. Here is this man who lives on the streets probably seeing things I can’t even imagine. For him to take the time to stop and tell me that he believes in me means something to me.

R: What do you do in your downtime?

S: I enjoy being active. I love to playing soccer, snowboarding, helping with nonprofit work, hiking, enjoying the outdoors, hanging with friends, art, fashion, designing, bike riding, drawing, reading, traveling, the list goes on…

R: What are some of your future goals?

S: I am really happy with where I am currently. I would like to keep making records, music videos, tour with some great artists and tour internationally. There are so many countries I have yet to visit and always think maybe someday I will go there to perform. There are also so many amazing venues and festivals I would love to play: Austin City Limits, Sasquatch Music Festival, Coachella or Red Rocks. It would be amazing to do any of those and it’s fun to dream about the possibilities. The only limits are those you set for yourself.

R: Stacy, thank you for the interview. Have a great day.

S: Thank you for taking time to interview me.

Here are a list of social networking sites Stacy is on.

http://www.myspace.com/stacyclark

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Stacy-Clark

http://twitter.com/@stacyclark

Tags: clark, connect the dots, singer, songwriter, stacy