Burlington-based country/indie pop artist April Patterson Clemens is excited to announce her latest single, “Our Campfire Days” — and today, we have April in interview!
How has moving from Texas to Vermont shaped your music?
Especially when I was living in Burlington, Vermont, there was just more of a local artistic community. I also spend a lot of time in the woods in Vermont (it’s so green!) which is good for the soul. I’d say being in Vermont has deepened me as a person, so also deepened my songwriting. Texas gave me a lot of memories to draw on, but Vermont gave me time to reflect.
2. What inspired your solo album Heart in a Golden Cup?
My life had just changed entirely. I’d gotten divorced and I was in a new relationship, so it’s got a lot to do with love and loss. I was also listening to The Creek That Drank the Cradle by Iron & Wine and was like, “I want to make my version of that.”
3. How do your collaborations differ from your solo work?
I love working with other people. If you find people you gel with, they always bring something you wouldn’t have thought of to make it better. With Angelica in Blackthorne Wilderness, we would come up with the most amazing harmonies that felt magical to sing. And now with Cobalt, he just does these things with the guitar parts that I’d never have come up with. I am very particular, so it has to be the right people who “get” what you want to achieve musically. I’ve had some short-lived projects that were with amazing musicians, but since we weren’t on the same page about direction it wasn’t fun and I’d eventually be like why are we doing this? So, if I can’t find the right people I make music alone, which means I can make it sound the way I want, but maybe I miss out on innovations other people would bring.
4. How did you start working with Cobalt Tolbert?
I went to one of his shows with a friend. We danced our asses off and then after the show I accosted Cobalt and asked him to be my guitar player.
5. What do you hope listeners feel when they hear your music?
I hope they feel a connection, whether it’s with something happy or sad. That’s what the world needs, right? We’re connected on the internet, but that can also feel really divisive. I hope they feel hey, we’re all one human family and here are truths that pertain to us all. Alternately, maybe it just makes their drive to work better. It’s all good.
6. What has the journey been like for you as an artist, from your debut to your latest work?
It’s been so patchy, really. I have a lot of other creative things I like to do (I’m a writer with a mystery series, make crafts, on and on). You know, I considered just never playing live again. But I’m at a point where I realize I love performing and I love sharing my music. If nobody hears it, does it even exist? Music exists in people. And it’s so fun to play.
Listen to the single here!
Discovered via https://app.musosoup.com #sustainablecurator