Q&A: Rusty Clanton

MusicSpotlight

Nov 9

☆ By SAACHI GUPTA ☆

THERE IS SOMETHING ABOUT RUSTY CLANTON’S MUSIC THAT CAPTIVATES YOU FROM THE VERY FIRST MOMENT - With his poetic lyrics, warm sounds and velvety vocals, Clanton leads the listener into a magical world, perfect for lonely nights that beg for escapism.

With stunning hits such as “Novels”, “Comfort” and “Neptune”, Nashville-based singer and multi-instrumentalist Rusty Clanton has gained an adoring audience — and there are only more beautiful things to look forward to.

Quarantine has led to Clanton experimenting more with music production, and with a developing sound, he looks forward to breaking out of his comfort zones to create music that is both: sweet, and in his own words, rowdy. Read below to learn more about what Clanton has been up to, the evolution of his sound and more.

Luna: What led you to pursuing music as a career instead of just a hobby?

Clanton: I wanted to be a film score composer since high school! Then I just kind of settled into the idea of teaching while I was in college but simultaneously uploading music I was writing to YouTube where I kind of kept that dream alive until one day (after college) I decided I’d rather just keep doing this than go to grad school, I suppose!

Luna: How has quarantine impacted your creative process?

Clanton: I love making things with other people so obviously right now you have to be really careful and coordinated to make it work. I’m realizing I was taking the privilege to make things with other artists for granted. Never again! Also, I’ve been digging into sound engineering and music production way more than I’ve been able to (or had the attention span for) in the past.

Luna: You’ve been releasing music since 2015, so what are some of the key ways you’ve seen your sound evolve?

Clanton: I’ve traditionally been pretty adamant about keeping my sound and arrangements as simple as possible but over time I’ve experimented with band music and found out all these sweet quiet moments can feel even more quiet if someone bangs the drums and slams a guitar every once in a while. Half of the songs I’m working on now get pretty rowdy and it feels very right, if that makes sense.

Luna: Sonically, what’s been inspiring you lately?

Clanton: Ariel Pink! Great for when I feel a little self conscious about a musical decision I make not landing well. It’s like the switch flips and I remember once again that I have permission to make and like whatever I make and like!

Luna: On the flip end, are there any novels or pieces of writings that inspire your songwriting?

Clanton: Moment To Moment by Rod McKuen! A dear friend gave it to me last year and I flip through it almost every day. Each poem or story zooms in so close to an almost inconsequential piece of a larger more important emotional setting and I’ve always loved that in stories and music. It makes them so real. I always hope I accomplish that with what I make.

Luna: What, to you, is the main difference between covering a song and singing your own?

Clanton: I'm not sure there has to be! I think some people have the ability to arrange a song in a way that it’s like they wrap the song around them and wear it. At the same time some people seem to erase themselves in order to literalize other people’s songs which I’ve felt at one time like I had to do. but it’s so unsatisfying to hear something you recorded which sounds like you were scrubbed out to make room for someone you think would be more palatable.

Luna: Who is a musician that you would love to collaborate with? Additionally, what is your favourite collaboration you've done until now?

Clanton: Brian Wilson always! Recently, Molly Parden of whose music I adore (seriously look her up. Her music and voice are unreal good) came to sing on a song I’m working on at the moment and I’m over the moon about it. I’m such a big, embarrassing fan.

Luna: Is there something in particular you hope your listeners take away from your music?

Clanton: Yes! Observe what you're feeling — good or bad — and let it teach you about yourself!

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