INTERVIEW

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INTERVIEW ✦

Indie-pop singer-songwriter Imogen Clark is currently gearing up for the release of her upcoming album, The Art of Getting Through — a candid body of work set to explore an evolution fueled by several of the struggles and successes she’s experienced in the music industry since embarking on her artistic journey.

At the top of the album includes Clark's fresh track, "The Noise," which, at its core, specifically acts as a defiant anthem against the prevalent ageism plaguing the music industry, particularly affecting women. And with this empowering song, she boldly confronts the vexing notion that women lose value as they age, dually asserting Clark’s unwavering commitment to curating impactful art.

Drawing from her own experiences and frustrations with societal expectations, Imogen's spirited resolve shines throughout the track, demanding listeners’ attention through pointed lyrics and purposeful thematic choices. But if we’ve learned anything about the artistry of Clark through her music, we know she still has plenty more to come.

With the release of “The Noise,” and her album set to drop next month, we had the opportunity to speak with the singer-songwriter about the encouraging messages found within her music, the album’s unique recording process, and how she aims to challenge harmful industry standards.

Congratulations on the upcoming release of your new album, The Art of Getting Through. Can you tell us about the inspiration behind the album and how it reflects your journey or experiences in the music industry?

Imogen Clark: The Art of Getting Through is an album about learning to grow and change while also learning to accept your imperfect self. It’s about my journey through life, my struggles in my head and heart and with the people who have fucked with both of those. I’ve been working as a professional musician since I was 12, so this industry has raised me and shaped who I’ve become a hell of a lot.

I have come to realise that the only way out is through, and this is a mantra that carries across all aspects of my life – music, family, romance – and it’s the main theme of this record. You never get a fresh start or a clean slate, you can’t hit the reset button. There’s no getting past, there may not be any getting over, but if you learn how, you can get through.

Your newest track is described as a defiant anthem against the industry’s tendency to overlook women who are transitioning into their 30s. What was the primary message you wanted to convey with the song?

Imogen Clark: I had a meltdown when I turned 25. I know that sounds ridiculous, but when you’ve been raised with the internalized misogyny of the music industry ringing in your ears, it’s easy to believe the idea that women, especially women in pop, start to lose their appeal in the second half of their 20s. And beyond 30? Don’t even think about it.

When I wrote ”The Noise” with Eilish Gilligan, I was feeling angry but with this kind of uplifting resolve to stand my ground against the idea that women can’t get better with age. I’m better at my craft now that I ever have been – I’m smarter, stronger and full of ambition and excitement for what’s next. A lot of my music is about fighting to be valued and heard, and with this song, it felt kind of celebratory in its defiance. “I’ve still got the noise” is my way of saying “I’ve still got that fire in me and I’ve still got something to say”. It’s also a reference to an older song of mine called “High Tide,” where I say “They may have the guns but we got the noise”, in relation to the music industry and its gatekeepers.

Collaborating with your friend on “The Noise” must have been a special experience. What was probably your favorite thing about collaborating with someone you’re close to?

Imogen Clark: Eilish Gilligan is one of my favorite people to write songs with. She’s an excellent producer, songwriter, keys player and singer from Melbourne, and whenever we get together to write, it always just flows so easily because we share many of the same perspectives and struggles, both being women in a heavily male-dominated industry who have been underestimated and patronized in the past. My favourite thing about working with Eilish is the way her deep understanding and love of pop music feeds into her songwriting, so the demos she creates for our cowrites are always full of melodic, unique and fun pop hooks. We also both love Taylor Swift and I think you can always hear that in our collaborations!

Recording in various locations around the world for this album must have been quite an adventure in itself. How did each city contribute to the overall sound and narrative of The Art of Getting Through?

Imogen Clark: The way we made this album was a reaction against the fact that for several years prior, the only way we could effectively make an album was remotely via Zoom. We did the best we could with a tough few years but it certainly wasn’t ideal. So this time, I wanted to get out into the world and bring my songs to the studios which have birthed the music which made me want to become a songwriter in the first place. I was so lucky to get to record this album in studios like Abbey Road Studio 3, where the Beatles made Revolver and Pink Floyd made Dark Side of the Moon, and at East West Studios in LA, where Pet Sounds was recorded. Standing in those places felt like being a part of music history and getting to leave my own mark.

Your music video for “The Noise” also pays tribute to a classic. What made you decide to recreate that specific iconic Bruce Springsteen video, and how did it feel to step into that role in the homage?

Imogen Clark: The idea for “The Noise” music video first came about from a joke. My manager Jeremy Dylan (who also directs my music videos) and I were laughing about how frequently people tell me I look like Courtney Cox in the early seasons of Friends. I don’t see it but I’ll certainly take it! We were joking that we should do a clip where the roles were reversed and Courtney Cox was singing on stage before getting Bruce Springsteen up to dance with her. That joke eventually evolved into this clip, where we recreated the “Dancing in the Dark” music video – hilarious 80s dancing and everything. The whole crew and band did such a great job and we all had so much fun recreating moments from this iconic clip that I’ve watched so many times in my life. I’ve always wanted to be the female Bruce Springsteen so I figured this could get me one step closer…

You've been described as an artist who’s always challenging herself artistically. How do you feel The Art of Getting Through pushes your boundaries as an artist, and what can listeners expect from this latest body of work?

Imogen Clark: Making this album was the most challenging and invigorating experience of my life. Musically, this record pushed my boundaries from a production sense because it embraces all my influences. Our aim was to make a classic type of pop record, taking inspiration from the way the Beatles did it, where not every track has to sound the same. Given I have great love for many musical genres, everything from modern pop to folk, classic rock and punk, I wanted it all to show through on this record. This album feels like the first time all of myself has been represented on a record. It’s this exciting fusion of organic sounds and amazing players, with really interesting textures and production elements that are the furthest into pop I’ve ever gone. I think there’s stuff in there for people who love rock anthems, sad girl pop music and just big melodic widescreen songwriting.

From a songwriting perspective, this record challenged me in the best possible way. Every time I thought I’d exposed myself completely in my songs, I found a way to go deeper, and on this album, I have written about some of my most gut-wrenching moments, biggest fears and rawest emotions. I’m so proud of it all and hope people can hear some of their lives in it too.

Your upcoming shows in Nashville, Los Angeles, and London sound exciting. What can fans expect from your live performances, especially coming off the momentum of this new album release?

Imogen Clark: Having started off this year touring nonstop like a madman around Australia, I’m beyond excited to bring these new songs to international audiences for the first time. My shows in Nashville and LA will be with a full band and folks can expect an energy-filled cathartic experience which will hopefully make you laugh and cry in equal measure. I like to think my shows can make people sing along and dance, but also make people reflect on their place in the world and who they are. My London show will be much more intimate in duo format, with the songs stripped down to their bare bones, one of my favourite ways to perform. I can’t wait to bring this record to you live, wherever it is you are in the world.

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