Interview: Claire Littley - I Don't Like The Rain

‘I Don't Like The Rain’ is the first release from Claire’s forthcoming EP which follows an impressive run of 6 consecutive singles from August last year, all written and produced by Claire Littley. 'I Don’t Like The Rain’ is a beautiful, heart wrenching song full of soul and emotion, smooth harmonies and classic Sade-like super chilled vibes. Claire says: “I started writing 'I Don't Like The Rain' last Summer '21 after three very long weeks of non-stop rain in London, but really this is a song about everything in life always continually changing. We all know life can be tough sometimes and it's been a difficult few years, but good times always come back eventually. Just like the weather, sunshine always follows the rain.”

By Kamil Bobin

Discovered via Musosoup

Kamil) Hey Claire Littley, super nice to have the chance to chat with you. How has the time gone for you since our last interview?

Good to catch up with you too! Yes, you reviewed ‘Running Back’ in May and since then I’ve been working hard on my first EP. This song, ‘I Don’t Like The Rain’ is the first release from the EP which I will be releasing likely early next year…Can’t believe it’s already December!

What role does the artist have in society?

Hmmm, that’s a big question… we could talk about things like socio/economic/cultural influences, but I guess you really only have to imagine what the world would be like without the arts and music. It really wouldn’t be the same would it?

Your latest song is 'I Don't Like The Rain'. Can you tell us more about the making of it and if there were any unusual things happening during the process?

So, I started writing this song Summer ’21 after three very long weeks of non-stop rain in London. I’m singing about not liking the rain, but it’s really a metaphor for the difficult times in our lives - you know sunshine and rain. But everything in our lives is always continually changing. We all know life can be tough sometimes and it's been an especially difficult few years, but good times always come back eventually. Just like the weather, sunshine always follows the rain.”

What’s your strongest memory of your childhood?

There are a few, but what immediately came to. Ind in this moment was when I got my Raleigh Chopper! Lol… Do you remember? Such a cool bike. I was so proud. Ha!

What’s your most embarrassing moment?

Blimey, too many to mention. I’m a complete doofus at times ;)

Is the artistic life lonely? What do you do to counteract it?

Actually, I do spend a lot of time on my own, but I am very comfortable with this - I enjoy my own company and it’s the only way I would be able to have gotten so much done musically in the last 2 years since I began writing my own songs. Can I add, loneliness is very different to being alone. Loneliness is simply a feeling and although it can be uncomfortable we shouldn’t be afraid of any of our feelings. Feelings are just our internal indicators of something that we may want to, or need to change.

What is your dream project?

My dream/goal right now is to be making enough money to be creating music full time. That’s my plan, along with starting to do some live shows next year. My long term goal/dream is to make people happy, to feel inspired and to leave behind a legacy of great songs that people love long after I’m no longer part of this life.

What advice would you have for someone wanting to follow in your footsteps?

Learn, learn, learn, work hard, be consistent and make time. But make sure you stay balanced.

When were you generally fulfilled in your position as an artist?

Well, our goals are always changing - that’s part of growing. Every time I reach a goal I have set, of course I feel like I have accomplished something and feel very fulfilled. And then we start the process again. This is life huh?

What can we expect from Claire Littley in the near future?

My first EP! Woohoo!! I’m so happy to have completed the final production, vocals and mixes last week!! This has been huge for me and I have had to learn so much to get this far… I’ve come a long way in the last 2 years - did you realise I have released 7 songs and have finished another 4 on my 5 track EP all since last August 2021? Phew! I’m happy, but I need a break. Oh, hello, it’s nearly Xmas! :D