CLAUD

Claud’s new album ‘Supermodels’ follows debut album ‘Super Monster’ with a fresh and fun evolution. In another life they might have been a comedian, but the gently observant and accurate capturing of real life through music, and catching the eye of other talented and supportive musicians meant Claud went their own way. But the snippets of Paul Rudd and Zoolander are not to be misinterpreted as moves away from emotion, rather the album moves through a more realistic version of life. There’s drama and sadness but there’s also the moments in between where you build yourself up and go and have fun. The real wind in your hair in a pop music video type moments that punctuate the bullshit. In a way it makes the album harder to handle for people like me, who are vulnerable to a giant cry at any indie album released on Saddest Factory records, but in the end you will thank Claud for the process

A lot of these songs are very emotional, what are you going to do when you play ‘Screwdriver’ on stage and the whole audience sobs?

So far I’ve been playing Screwdriver every night, and it’s a collective deep breath amongst the crowd. It’s nice because we’re all in our feels together for that 3.5 minutes, and then I play a funny rock song right after. 

Can anyone actually make good music if they’ve never had their heart broken?

Yes totally. Anyone can make good music. 

Is your fanbase the one you were expecting?

I wasn’t expecting anyone at all, so they are more than I expected and they are amazing. 

People are saying Supermodels is an extension of Super Monster, would this album exist without Super Monster?

Hm, I haven’t really heard anyone say that. I see these albums as two very separate bodies of work based on the content and sound. For Supermodels, I don’t think I could’ve gotten to the same place of vulnerability with myself without two albums worth of writing and rewriting. The titles do go hand in hand, though. Both are about feeling like an outsider or an observer, hence the photographer on the cover of Supermodels. 

There’s a personality type called just ‘the observer’, your lyrics are beautifully observational, but is it exhausting being in a constant state of self-reflection?

Yes my head is always spinning. Lol. 

A lot of people in the world would love to have been stalked (…ok sought after) by Phoebe Bridgers. How important is it to have a label where you transparently know everyone and have great friendship and support? 

It’s really great. I’ve loved seeing everyone grow and expand over the last couple years. I wish all existing labels could be like this. Support and community is what music should be centered around. 

On this album cover to me you’re channeling a cross between David Byrne and Tracy Thorn. Who were you actually channeling to sizzle like that?

I am a huge David Byrne fan. The inspiration for this album cover was meant to be something a little more silly… the movie Zoolander. There’s a lot of out takes from this shoot that are hilarious and ridiculous, but I chose this more serious shot of me as a photographer to portray the reflective and observant side of me on this record. 

You had your debut in directing with the video for ‘Every Fucking Time’ starring comedian Grace Kuhlenschmidt, and you managed to somehow meet Paul Rudd at a Taylor Swift concert and convince him to be in the A Good Thing” videoclip. Are you obsessed with comedians? 

Yes, yes I am. My alter ego is a comedian. 

Why was Paul Rudd not in the videoclip for the song Paul Rudd?

Because the part we wrote for him was super specific and only made sense with the concept of the music video for “A Good Thing”. 

Would you recommend dropping out of college to everyone in America?

Definitely not. It worked for me, but I got super lucky. I had a tour offer lined up and set the intention to work super hard until it made sense to never to go back to school again. The chances of this working out were so slim, so I consider a lot of it to be luck. I do think it’s super important to bet on yourself though. 

Are you going to call your next album Super Hero, Super Soaker or Super Bowl?

Super Bowl for sure. 

You learnt guitar chords by watching NPR tiny desk concerts, when are you going to do one?

Would be a dream to do one!!

We are all about sharing the love, who are the artists you are currently listening to/want to spruik?

I have the best tour openers on the planet. Everyone needs to check out Lutalo and Boyish! They both put out amazing EPs this month too.

Words by Alex Officer. See more from Claud here.

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