Jacquie Clay

Lighter Now

Q&A

Jacquie Clay is…?

Thank you so much for this opportunity! My name is Jacquie and I’m a singer-songwriter, musician and artist based out of Cape Cod, Massachusetts. I’ve been playing music since I was very young and my main instruments are piano and voice. Recently I’ve been writing uplifting, upbeat pop music.

Who inspired you to make music in general?

I would have to say my family. Since I was a child they introduced me to so many genres of music, from classical music to rock and roll to pop. We attended various concerts and each new song or experience was just a reminder of how much I love music. I knew from a young age that music would always be a significant part of my life.

…and especially to the song „Lighter Now“?

I wrote my latest song “Lighter Now,” with my very talented friend Marina Bennett. Together we had chatted about what it feels like to have people in your life that just make everything better. Your life and the energy around you feels lighter. Whether it’s one person or many, they’re supportive and remind you that just being yourself is good enough. You’re loved for being you. This song is a celebration to that person in your life.

What is your creative process like?

Typically I start writing music at the piano, playing around with different melodies, chord progressions and lyric ideas. I try my best to get most of the song written in one sitting, knowing I can always go back and edit. I usually have an idea either melody wise or lyric wise that I’m wanting to express.

What is the most useful talent you have?

My most useful talent related to music would be the ability to come up with catchy melodies and infuse my music with emotion.

What do you prefer, a live gig or a studio session?

I love connecting more directly with the audience with live gigs. Right now I’ve been focusing more on studio sessions and trying to bring that same energy and connection into my recordings. It gives you more of an opportunity to really fine tune what you want your song to sound like.

When do you decide that a song is ready for a release?

That can be a tough thing to decide. I find it all too easy to get stuck in wanting something to be perfect. It comes to a point, that I have to remind myself that my ultimate goal for my music is to have it connect with the listener. To be uplifting, to be comforting in times of sorrow and fun and upbeat in times of celebration. None of that can happen if I never share my music.

Who would you most like to collaborate with?

I have so many musical influences that it’s hard to choose, Sara Bareilles, Josh Groban, Carole King, Jess Glynn, Becky Hill. It would be a dream to work with any of them.

If you could change anything in the past, what would it be?

It’s easy to look in the past and judge your actions with the knowledge you have today, but that really isn’t fair or productive. I think anything in the past that I would like to change is just a lesson moving forward on how to build the future I want.

How do you feel the Internet (especially Social Media platforms) has impacted the music business?

I feel that the internet and social media has provided a platform for indie artists to reach such a wider audience and to network with other musicians they may not have had the chance to meet locally. A great example of this is my song, “Lighter Now.” My co-writer Marina Bennett is based in Vancouver, CAN, our producer Julien Renvoise is based in Montreal, CAN and I’m in Massachusetts, US. If it weren’t for being able to connect, in this case over many Zoom calls, I’m not sure how this song would have happened.

What’s next for you?

Right now I’m working on an EP which I’m super excited about and I’m also working on some collaborations with different artists. I can’t wait to continue to share my music with others. You can find me on all social media platforms under my name, Jacquie Clay and on my website http://www.jacquieclay.com

Photo credits: Honey and Fern Photography