Interview: BRI CLARK

Bri Clark’s voice has the ability to both shatter and heal. Since gifting the local scene with her seemingly unassuming debut single ‘Never Far Enough’ in 2015 and WAM nominated follow up ‘Shiver’, the rising Perth singer songwriter has garnered industry attention and a legion of dedicated fans alike, each captivated by her haunting melodies and arresting vocals. Now, the destined talent is thrilled to finally revealed her anticipated new single ‘Giving Up’ – a brooding pop ballad that has already piqued interest after been shortlisted for the 2018 Vanda & Young Songwriting competition.
What is your name and what do you do?
My name is Bri Clark and I am a singer/songwriter
Some up the sound of your music in three words?
Cinematic alt-pop
Where’s your hometown?
Perth, WA
When was the last time you went to a gig you weren’t playing and who did you see?
I went to a gig on Saturday night and saw Camarano and The Peppermint Club play at The Aardvark in Fremantle.
What’s your favourite music venue to perform in, and attend a show at?
I love really small, intimate venues. My favourite gigs I’ve done recently have been at Beaufort Street Songwriter’s Lounge in a venue called Defector’s Bar. Favourite venue to attend a show at: can’t go past Mojo’s in WA.
What venue is on your bucket list to play at and why? (Can be anywhere in the world)
Local: I really want to play His Majesty’s Theatre in Perth because it’s just such a beautiful building and I’ve loved going to events there.
National: Probably the Opera House, I think that’d be pretty cool. I sang in a choir there during the Jazz Festival in 2009 and it was incredible.
What would be your dream festival line up to perform as part of?
My dream festival line up to perform as part of would include YEBBA, The Staves, Phoebe Bridgers, Bon Iver, Ainslie Wills, Laura Marling, Sara Bareilles, Haim, Dustin Tebbutt, Gotye and Ben Abraham. So huge, so many feelings.
What travel items can’t Bri Clark live without on tour/the road?
My headphones, my laptop, and a good book or two.
And, your favourite festival? Why? Where, Who was/what was the highlight?
I haven’t been to too many festivals but I love the atmosphere of Nannup Music Festival, it’s a beautiful country town south-east of Perth, and there are wonderful songwriters and musicians and storytellers.
Where was the most surprising place you discovered a big musical influence?
Probably in high school when I jokingly joined the school choir with some friends, and it turned out to be the most fun ever. It gave me an unwavering love for vocal harmonies and big moments in songs.
Name 3 artists we need to check out?
Come to Perth and make sure you get to see Cecilia Brandolini – she melts my face off, I know all the words and all the harmonies to all her songs and I am waiting patiently for my official band invitation. Dulcie is also a great up and coming four-piece alt-pop band full of talented women with beautiful harmonies and some great songs. And I can never go past CAMARANO definitely my favourite local songwriter, he is incredible and his live band is incredible, and again – I’m patiently waiting for my official band invitation so I can do all of the harmonies.
Your favourite local bar, place for a relaxing drink or restaurant and why?
I love the Ellington because there’s always a gig on, and they have great wine.
You’ve just released a new single ‘Giving Up’ what location/city did you record it in?
This song has travelled almost as much as I have! I wrote the song across three locations in Perth: my parent’s house at the piano, my bestie’s studio mid jam, and then back to the piano at my parent’s house to finish lyrics. Then I travelled to Castlemaine in Victoria to work with Jono Steer, legendary producer and kombucha drinker, and we fleshed it into its pre-production phase, then drove it to Melbourne and recorded drums and guitar and piano at Head Gap Studio. Then back to Castlemaine to track vocals and put the final touches. And then it went to Joe Carra at Crystal Mastering in Melbourne to be mastered!  
Do you find it difficult or easy to write songs on the road?
If I can set up a bit of a space to write without distraction then yes. It’s always fun to write in new places. Never know what kind of creative energy you’re going to be dealing with!
Where and when can we see Bri Clark perform?
So my next lot of gigs in Perth are:
Fri October 5th – The Northshore Tavern
Sat October 6th – The Charles Hotel
Sun October 7th – The Ravenswood Hotel
Fri October 12th – SOFAR Sounds Perth
Sat October 13th – The Aardvark for RTRFM’s Fremantle Spring Music Festival
Sat 3rd November – PICA Amphitheatre at 3.20pm for a WAMFest Showcase
And for my friends over east, there’ll be some gigs before the end of the year, probably November  <3
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