“I still feel like I’m 17,” remarks Claire Cottrill, widely recognized under her stage name Clairo. During our video call, she sits nestled within an alcove of her recording space, adorned with a retro Onyx ring and delicate tattoos spelling out “charm”—a detail familiar from both her music clips and TikTok posts. With a gentle, tuneful voice, she speaks candidly towards the camera, recounting tales of growing up perpetually connected online. She maintains limited visual engagement unless directly addressing my questions, at which point her gaze locks onto mine intensely. Despite recognizing her status as a Grammy-nominated global star who virtually pioneered the indie bedroom-pop scene, these details fade away during our conversation centered around our joint passion for Tumblr and enduring love for artist Lana Del Rey. Our discussion delves deeply into reminiscing about teenage life amid the nascent stages of today’s digital landscape.
Let’s go back to those days. Before the world became enamored with Clairo, she was just a 13-year-old cultivating her musical interests from her bedroom in Boston. She would make voice recordings, learn production techniques on her own, and share her songs through platforms like SoundCloud, Bandcamp, and YouTube, gradually building up a following.
When she released her lo-fi track “Pretty Girl” in 2017, something transformed. The song took just half an hour to write and revolved around a relationship where she altered aspects of herself to fit someone else’s ideal partner. She filmed the accompanying music video using her MacBook wearing old makeup and posted it on YouTube. To her surprise, this garnered millions of views along with lucrative contract proposals. At the time, she was still enrolled as a student at Syracuse but eventually left college to work on her first album and join Dua Lipa’s tour in 2018. From there, she explored different musical styles, releasing three full-length projects, leading her own shows, and receiving recognition from top-tier stars like Billie Eilish, Sabrina Carpenter, Charli XCX, and Frank Ocean via their streaming year-end summaries. However, what matters most isn’t so much her commercial success but rather the sense of ease and familiarity her audience feels towards her; people have even humorously compared her appearance to
Sally, the light blue Porsche from Pixar’s
Cars
, and she is zealously shielded from even the slightest bit of
Clairo shade
It’s a connection forged by critics. Born from lyrics that feel like personal journal entries, shared among acquaintances—only these confessions are laid bare for millions to see.
Picture having a diary where there’s an entry you often reflect upon,
What in the world was I talking about?
However, since it’s public and your buddy says, “I adore this. It makes me think of an incident that occurred to me,” then you understand,
Well, I suppose it isn’t too terrible if you enjoy it.
,” she says.
This spring and summer, she will be prominently featured at key music festivals such as Coachella, Primavera Sound, Governors Ball, and Hinterland Fest. Through her experience of growing up under constant public scrutiny, she has achieved newfound clarity which she has directed towards releasing her third studio album independently.
Charm
, having gained new-found confidence that resulted in her first-ever Grammy nomination. This is Clairo…true to her essence.
Step into the mind of 17-year-old Claire. Can you picture her dreams and passions, along with her most beloved interests?
It must have been around 2015 or 2016, during the peak of my time on Tumblr. I was really into The 1975.
1
I explored some Sofia Coppola films and enjoyed dabbling in fashion. Discovering new music played a significant role for me as well. At home, I began composing my own tunes and taught myself production techniques by analyzing bands whose work I admired. During this time, I was also on a quest to discover who I truly am and was determined to become a complete individual—an amusing endeavor since true completion isn’t really achievable.
1. A couple of years down the line, she received an invitation from the frontman Matty Healy to perform a cover version of their track “Robbers.” Quite the opportunity!
full-circle moment
.
It only begins at 17; age has nothing to do with it!
The first thing on my mind was that I had to have all the information and finish everything. To a large extent, I still feel like I’m 17 years old.
It seems as though it goes on forever. We essentially grew up with the internet, and I can’t help but wonder how this has influenced our preferences today.
As my connection to the internet evolves, I’m beginning to discern which aspects have endured since I was 17 until today. With age, I am gaining deeper insights into my own identity. Constantly being online accelerates many experiences because individuals’ whole bodies of work are often among the first things we encounter on our feeds. This information is condensed and presented swiftly, leading those raised this way to accumulate substantial knowledge. It’s peculiar because reducing my time online seems to enhance my understanding of self.
Relying on your intuition, you decided to leave college after one year to focus on music instead. Can you share what went through your head as you made that decision?
I thought,
Why not?
I received an amazing chance to go on tour with Dua Lipa, and I would have regretted it deeply if I’d turned it down. Although I was pursuing a degree in music business, I believed I understood how things operated well enough to take this leap without completing my studies. The experience was just as chaotic as it was uplifting, yet I’m glad I seized that personal opportunity.
Is there a period in your life that you would compare to your college years?
I experienced an incredible year at school where I enjoyed everything immensely and formed friendships across various groups of people. However, traveling with a fantastic band alongside a bunch of young individuals proved to be just as enjoyable as anticipated—it did come with its share of challenges making it occasionally taxing. For instance, dealing with bus breakdowns leading us to get stuck in New Mexico added some stress. Throughout these experiences, both positive peaks and negative troughs emerged, yet they shared similar lessons for growth. Moments such as needing to handle laundry or mustering up courage to call home fearing disapproval from my mother remained constant despite touring with the most adored pop icon.
You went on hiatus
2
prior to recording your second album,
Sling
, and your third studio album,
Charm
What altered your perspective and motivated you to continue moving forward?
By the age of 19, one might think they haven’t experienced much of life yet. For someone who grew up online, loneliness can set in when their existence seems limited to just the curated image they present. Initially, I believed myself to be quite extroverted, but found myself struggling with discomfort whenever faced with being visible to others publicly. This often led me to want to retreat from social situations entirely.
I didn’t find comfort in being misinterpreted, and now I believe it’s pleasant to possess aspects of your personality that remain enigmatic. When I created
Charm
It transformed into a musical expression of who I am and how I express myself. This newfound representation breathed fresh life into my identity.
2. Here’s some background on Clairo: She was considering taking a hiatus following the release of her first album.
Immunity
, fell…and thought about retreating once she fell
Sling
during the COVID-19 pandemic.
I really appreciate your bringing this up since discussing identity is something I’m eager to do.
When you openly identified yourself as bisexual
In 2018, you expressed reluctance about being confined to the label of a queer musician and found vulnerability to be intimidating. Have your feelings towards these classifications evolved as you’ve grown older?
I’m not particularly fond of labels. In my view, individuals should be able to like whomever they choose without others having an issue with it. My own experiences as someone who identifies as queer were much more positive when I simply allowed things to unfold naturally instead of worrying about them too much. Whether I end up dating a woman or a man doesn’t really matter; either way works fine for me. Some folks do find comfort and clarity in setting strict boundaries for themselves though—it can provide direction—and this approach differs from person to person. Queerness plays a significant role in defining who I am. Feeling liberated came when I embraced loving everyone unconditionally. Kissing anyone isn’t out of the question for me.
Many individuals experience stress when attempting to identify with a particular group. As for myself, it feels as though I was eager to share my story.
and
Come through accurately, yet I realized that I set the guidelines with who I am. I’m curious about what your path has been like or if you’ve encountered something similar.
We’ve all completed the “Am I gay?” quizzes.
3
The maturing process involves self-doubt. If I could travel back in time, I’d reassure myself that definitive answers aren’t necessary. It’s alright to remain curious, go out with whoever I like, and share kisses without pressure. There’s no rush to define who I am by a specific deadline. For the very first time, I realized it was acceptable not to know everything.
3. Yeah, you know
the one
.
It can change over time and isn’t fixed permanently, making it quite wonderful. We define ourselves based on our identities and emotions as they evolve.
It’s truly stunning. Feeling great about being LGBTQ+ is wonderful.
Let’s talk about
Charm.
It’s more than just your initial solo launch
and
Firstly, reaching number one on the charts, but it also secured your first Grammy nomination. During the album’s creation, were there any additional notable milestones you encountered for the first time?
It wasn’t until I aged that I understood what true confidence feels like, thanks to this magical transformation.
Charm
It happened to me. Now, I’m wiser and somewhat cooler with a clearer understanding of what defines me. Every adventure I embarked upon up till now has been essential, and it’s incredible how everything is accessible to everyone. It feels as though I’ve reached a significant milestone.
Being sensitive and attuned to your feelings isn’t a negative trait. Even though I’m trying not to delve into astrology like some people do, my Pisces placement is quite noticeable here.
I’m a Cancer Moon! Feeling everything intensely is crucial for me. There have been moments in my life where my emotions seemed overwhelming and even disruptive. I am someone who gets teary-eyed whether I’m deeply sad or extremely joyful because of my emotional nature.
feeling
That’s one of the reasons why I enjoy composing music.
Perhaps it’s your lunar Cancer influence, but I really appreciate how openly you express longing in your music. What inspires you to delve into this emotion so profoundly?
Longing is normal. It’s essential to yearn for something you believe can mend both yourself and everyone else—this desire exists within all of us. Additionally, I appreciate the concept of transforming this feeling into romance rather than envy. These sentiments stem from similar origins. In reality, being envious of someone holds such a beautiful, romantic quality.
When it comes to feelings of envy, your admirers would have done anything to be part of your karaoke session with Ayo Edebiri and Phoebe Bridgers.
4
In January. Although we’re aware that you’ve collaborated previously, could you share how you first met and describe the nature of these friendships?
It’s likely we crossed paths via our shared circle of acquaintances, yet I remain an ardent admirer of Ayo. Her thought process astounds me; she possesses remarkable creativity, wit, and authenticity. Meanwhile, Phoebe stands out as someone deeply rooted, genuine, kind-hearted, and sagacious. Both individuals embody exceptional qualities, making it delightful to forge friendships with those navigating comparable life stages. This mutual understanding fosters support, enabling us to rely on one another during tough times.
4. Here’s a
selfie
From the gathering in question, Ayo recently helmed the “Terrapin” music video. Additionally, in 2021, Claire and Phoebe provided backup vocals for Lorde’s album.
Solar Power
She opened for Phoebe’s Boygenius performances in 2023 as well.
Another artist you’ve relied on is Charli XCX, who performed
“Sofia”
Recently with you. You all have known each other for a very long time, but this is the first time you’ve performed the track in three years. I’m curious about the backstory behind that and how your connection to the song has evolved.
5
has changed.
It’s quite amusing—initially, I thought nobody would care about me not playing it, yet it turned out to be an issue. Now, I’ve found myself in a tricky situation.
At an event for the Laneway Festival in Australia and New Zealand, Charli was the main act. During our performances at several gigs, she mentioned watching one of mine earlier. However, she asked, “Where’s ‘Sofia’?” To which I replied, “I never perform that song anymore. Haven’t you got anything along the lines of, ‘This has been overdone’? ” From there, we decided to collaborate on playing it live. I stated, “If someone could get me to do ‘Sofia,’ I guess it’d be you, Ms. Charli.” Thus, we arranged it without having time for a proper rehearsal; we kind of made it work spontaneously, but it turned out amazing.
5. In 2019, Claire characterized “Sofia” as a
joyful tune marking her finding
Of developing feelings for women. She ceased performing it live in 2022, and following her duet with Charli, she disclosed that she
“wasn’t bitter anymore.”
Sofia” originates from your first studio album,
Immunity
which you explored again while working on
Charm
Performing your older material with fresh arrangements during tours has brought these pieces back to life. What’s it like to reflect on your journey and see how far you’ve come through creations you once made?
It feels great because I’m beginning to grasp things better now. Whenever I create something, I usually have a clear concept of the subject matter I wish to address and delve into. Having these three albums that capture specific chapters of my life is quite satisfying. I created them back when I was just 20 years old.
Immunity
, and then I became introspective and created this second album where I was terrified of issues that didn’t concern the woman featured in my third album at all. Particularly after “Sofia” came out recently, I sense that I’ve resolved much of my discomfort with some of my earlier tracks since listeners have formed their own connections to those songs. Why ignore something that resonates with others?
You’re also set to perform at Coachella this year. Are you looking forward to seeing any particular artists there?
I’m really looking forward to seeing Lady Gaga! While I’m eager to catch everything else, I might stick around for Stagecoach just so I can watch Lana Del Rey perform since I’ve never experienced one of her shows live and expect it could be amazing.
I’m sure you’re that creative force and inspiration for countless individuals. Every person I’ve encountered who admires your work happens to be among the most remarkable folks I know.
They’re the best. I’m extremely proud of my adorable, stylish followers.
6
6. When talking about fans, she encountered photographer Bella Newman for the first time on the set during her shoot.
Burnsvet
During the cover shoot, they connected, leading to several collaborations. “Besides our initial project, we’ve taken on additional ventures together, and I’m teaming up with her once more shortly. She’s simply irresistible,” Claire commented about their partnership.
Do you sense any kind of connection or responsibility, realizing that you might have a role to play?
their
Do stories influence your artistic expression in any way?
I have countless messages I wish to share with younger folks, and I desire to guide them along the way. However, predicting which song or lesson will resonate with them is challenging for me. Since my music stems from personal experiences, I strive to ensure it resonates authentically with those who might find relevance in it.
Joni Mitchell expressed it perfectly: “If when listening to that music and seeing me, you gain nothing from it; but if instead you can relate the music back to yourself, then you find value in it.” Writing songs should reflect my beliefs accurately, perhaps even aligning with your own thoughts as well.
That’s why she ranks among the greatest artists ever. Last year, her Grammy performance left me in tears.
I had the opportunity to watch her perform earlier this year. It was my inaugural attendance at one of these Clive Davis events preceding the Grammy Awards, with rumors circulating about her potential appearance. I doubted those speculations, thinking to myself, “There’s no way this will occur.”
It was like, “No chance Joni would be around.”
However, she did! She performed a song.
“Both Sides Now,”
And I was crying like a child. My friends kept checking up on me. The song was incredibly touching, particularly due to the backstory behind it. Upon releasing it, many considered her unorthodox, yet now that she performs it at an advanced age, it remains relevant. This track encapsulates her personal journey, one that resonates with anyone—be it you, me, or even our mothers. To evoke such emotion as Joni Mitchell does in me—that’s something I aspire to achieve someday.
She’s an exceptional storyteller, just like you. What narrative are you currently attempting to convey about your own life?
I’ve often lost hope in myself over the years, but I’m glad I managed to overcome those moments. Being a teenage girl can be incredibly tough. Just thinking about it brings tears to my eyes.
Me too.
I’m finally understanding how older individuals in your life feel when they say, “Wait until you’re in college or living as a 20-something exploring unknown territories.” Refusing to quit made a significant impact on me, and now I’m reshaping my pessimistic emotions because the sole obstacle hindering me is myself. It’s great to realize that all the things I desire lie within me.
Video:
Maxwell Losgar
. Video editor:
Sarah Ng
. Stylist:
Brandon Tan
. Hair:
Miyuki Goto
at
Shizen Brooklyn
. Makeup:
Vincent Oquendo
for
Valentino Beauty
Filmed on location at
The Long Island Aquarium
.
