Q&A: Clarence James Gets Deeply Personal on New Album 'WHY WOULD I MAKE PEACE WITH THIS DEMON?'
IN HIS LATEST ALBUM WHY WOULD I MAKE PEACE WITH THIS DEMON?, Clarence James isn't shying away from complex themes. Introspective and unflinchingly honest, the project delves into the struggles of connection, self-doubt, and the anxieties that can come with navigating the complexities of human relationships.
In this interview, James opens up about the personal experiences that inspired "FLAKE," the first single off the album. He explores the mental health struggles that inform his music and the impact they have on his life. We also dive into his unique creative process, which blends elements of indie rock, jazz, and hip-hop into a captivating soundscape. James reflects on his musical journey, from his classical piano roots to his self-taught exploration of guitar and fingerpicking styles.
James also gives insight into the collaborative spirit that fuels his artistic growth. He discusses past collaborations with Fat Tony and The Irons, as well as opening for acts like Luna Luna. We get a glimpse into the broader narrative of WHY WOULD I MAKE PEACE WITH THIS DEMON? and how "FLAKE" fits into the puzzle. James sheds light on his desire to connect with listeners on a deeper level, exploring the themes of unity and finding solace amidst the chaos of the human experience.
Read below to learn all about WHY WOULD I MAKE PEACE WITH THIS DEMON? and what the Spring has in store for Clarence James.
LUNA: "FLAKE" explores themes of self-destruction and introversion. What personal experiences inspired you to write this song?
JAMES: From a personal standpoint, I felt the need to apologize for putting so much distance between myself and my loved ones. My mental tends to fall in a hole, but there’s constantly people around me who understand regardless. I wanted to show appreciation to everyone who helps pull me out that hole.
LUNA: You describe the sentiment of "FLAKE" as relatable to "fellow neurotics." Can you elaborate on the mental struggles you explore in the song, and how they impact your relationships?
JAMES: My mental struggles stem from the anxious avoidant tendencies - caring so much that it doesn’t matter. Fostering the constant intrusive thoughts about death in the family but having more missed calls than answered calls. I have a pretty tight circle so my people understand how it gets for the most part. But it’s the reasonable social expectation that my neurotic brain won’t align with that’s creating the sentiment behind the song.
LUNA: Your music brings in genres like indie rock, jazz, and hip-hop to create a unique sound. How do these diverse influences come together in your songwriting process?
JAMES: The diversity doesn’t come together in a formulated way. I feel like many people that were indoctrinated into this extremely diluted, post genre creative space can relate to that. If I hear something that particularly provokes me, I’ll try to tap into the energy that elicited whatever emotions I felt while listening. Sometimes my lens isn’t fit for certain sounds, so I try my best to focus on what i can integrate and move onto the next creation.
LUNA: Your musical journey began with classical piano at a young age. What sparked your transition to guitar and the experimentation with different styles?
JAMES: Professionally excelling in classical piano is pretty difficult. Especially from the trailer park, where nobody was building strong foundations in that regard. My interests changed by nature. Being self-taught, It was hard working through learning curves on guitar but I made the time for it. Guitar seemed to fit better and was more of a malleable process for me. Not just pressing buttons, less predictability.
LUNA: At 16, you started "recontextualizing" music, borrowing from jazz masters and developing your own fingerpicking style. Can you walk us through your creative process and how you build these unique soundscapes?
JAMES: Back then I didn’t know any music theory so it kind of happened naturally. If you spend enough time learning songs, you’ll find patterns in the composition structure. I started combining chords from different songs and experimented until it sounded good. I didn’t own a capo or have any picks so I had to teach myself how to transpose and just pulled the strings whichever way they’d work. Music was a very free process for me so I was just throwing sounds at my DAW. Still, if I find a chord shape I’ll just add it to my arsenal and move it around the neck till it sounds right. Maybe I’ll look into the applicable theory, but mostly I’m producing around guitar parts that I play.
LUNA: Collaborations with Fat Tony and The Irons, and opening for acts like Luna Luna - how have these experiences shaped your growth as an artist?
JAMES: Creating/working with anyone is always a unique experience. It’s one of the biggest reasons why I do what I do, although it’s one of the most daunting for me. I love working with others because music is such a connecting force. But most of my personal creative endeavors, especially writing and vocals, are so intimate that even I don’t feel comfortable being there. If I’ve grown in any way it’s just being able to adapt to different workflows and understanding how to navigate outside of my own catered process.
LUNA: Your upcoming album, WHY WOULD I MAKE PEACE WITH THIS DEMON?, delves into complex themes. How does "FLAKE" fit into the broader narrative of the album?
JAMES: A lot of the album is centered around the struggle for seemingly impossible, but very simple feelings. We’re social creatures and that’s simple, but the complexities of our subjective experiences cause anxieties and predicaments that are so unique that it makes it impossible for pure/concise/genuine connections to take place in the physical world. The “demon” is what we can’t see in these situations that is wreaking havoc on our built in complexes. In order to fit these abstract situations into a personal narrative, I tried my best to balance the weight of every negative sentiment with a positive one, and vice versa. Making sure to focus on the dualism of all the feelings portrayed in the work.
LUNA: The album explores unity and "one-ness" amidst chaos. How does your music bridge those divides and connect with listeners on a deeper level?
JAMES: I don’t know if we can bridge those divides which is why the album title is a question. We do live in a world of opposites but the duality represents a “whole”. All the songs are different applications of insight into one specific idea that I wanna get across - what is even going on and what do we do about it? There’s a paradox to these feelings which cause existentialism in most people (including me) in this school of thought.
LUNA: Beyond the introspective themes, what message of hope or resilience do you want fans to take away from "FLAKE" and the upcoming album?
JAMES: Something you can positively reflect on is that nobody is alone. You are separate but you can also find comfort in the idea of subjectivity. There’s always something else for your awareness to point to, to inspire you, to evoke emotion within you. I think that’s pretty cool.
