INTERVIEW WITH… ELECTRO POP SINGER AND DANCER MARIE CLO

Meet Indie-Pop singer-songwriter and dancer Marie-Clo about her latest release, “Shell(e) Pt III” is the third and last from the Canadian singers' trio of EPs. It takes on a more bold and brighter tone than her previously released ones. As the prior two EPs often spoke on darker themes. You can read on for my interview with Marie below.


THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: Hello, Marie! Thank you so much for taking the time out! So, how has the time away in quarantine been treating you?

MARIE CLO: It's been a journey. Somehow time has both stopped and flown by. I've spent a lot of time taking care of my health, namely, polycystic ovarian syndrome. I've also started working on a brand new project; I had a 2 month quarantined residency with another artist. We wrote 16 songs. It's been wonderful to breathe and reassess life goals and relationships, but it's also been a very demanding, taxing and lonely time.

THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: Can you talk a bit on your backstory and you how you began playing music? I read that you’re a dancer as well?

MARIE CLO: Yes! I grew up dancing competitively until the age of 18. I also studied theatre at a prestigious arts high school in Ottawa. I grew up listening to music aggressively loud in my childhood home or disc man (haha), and played mostly keys and drums. I started writing music around the age of 6. After high school I auditioned for numerous universities/colleges for the arts, and ended up picking Sheridan's musical theatre program in Toronto. I went on to perform in musicals/plays/films/tv shows for the next decade, and still do. However, music took the lead about 5 years ago.

THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: Let’s talk about your new single “Play Nice”? The inspiration behind it?

MARIE CLO: I actually wrote "Play Nice" during the pandemic. It was the last song added to my album Shell(e), and it almost didn't make the cut because I felt it was a bit dark for the final part. It is not my usual musical genre, but I really wanted to talk about real stuff in a "fun" way if you will; the harsh realities of mental health issues, while being relatable and light. It felt like a cool musical challenge to do it over a sound that isn't traditionally mine, #powerchords

THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: How would you describe your overall sound?

MARIE CLO: Indie pop electro.

THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: What’s a typical creative process like for you?

MARIE CLO: I tend to write music/lyrics when the mood strikes. I know some artists have felt very creative during the pandemic. I did not. Yes I co-wrote 16 songs, but it was work. It didn't flow as easily as all of Shell(e) did. Usually I'll have an idea for a melody (almost always right when I'm about to fall asleep). I force myself out of bed, lazily sing it in my voicenote app for the next day, and then I jam it out when the mood strikes again. Lyrics are usually improvisation based at first. I keep about 85% and clean them up in a different session.

Marie Clo

THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: Your upcoming record centers on conceptual feminism. What does conceptual feminism mean to you? How does your record explore those themes?

MARIE CLO: I wanted a strong theme and narrative, to give away bite sized stories about life as a woman. It was important to me to be bold & yet light, while sharing my lived experience. I always want to hear more relatable, real stories about women, so I knew I had a responsibility to tell some of my own too if I expected it for my own ears. Not just the ones about being taken advantage of, but also the ones about sexual liberation, self emancipation and being vulnerable. I was singing to men yes, but mostly I was singing to women.

THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: Shifting gears... Who is your dream collaboration?

MARIE CLO: I've always wanted to sing with a french Canadian singer named Jean Leloup. Fan girl since the 90s. He keeps making beautiful art so it's hard to get over it.

THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: What was the last book you read that stayed with you?

MARIE CLO: "Little fires everywhere" by Celeste Ng.

THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: What music has been “On Repeat” for you? What’s on your playlists?

MARIE CLO: Lately I've been really vibing on Litany's music; specifically "Bedroom". My playlists are EXTREMELY diverse haha; early 2000's indie, world music, recent indie-pop, electro-pop, dream synthy pop, reggae, alternative rock, rap, folk, etc.

Thanks so much for taking the time out, Marie! :)


Stream Marie Clo - “Play Nicehere.

https://open.spotify.com/album/2as6IQdscptcUUFVyxhhFG?si=Tj5dEnhmSaGcsPX9Ol_3zA

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