Young and up-and-coming artist Cloe Wilder sat down with me for her second exclusive interview for Music Scene Media. Cloe's knack for developing her experiences into artistic expressions is well captured in her self-written lyrics. Her Americana-inspired third EP, Life's a Bitch, which comes out this year on March 21st, remains faithful to this fact and showcases her high level of craftsmanship.
One may wonder why a precocious nineteen-year-old has a level of artistic maturity beyond her years, but after learning she has over six years of experience in songwriting, it begins to make sense. I'm sure her honest nature contributes to the openness of her storytelling, which translates to songs that feel relatable and personal. Cloe's sweet and talkative personality made for an interview with plenty of content, allowing for a deep dive into the behind-the-scenes of her new EP and life on tour.
Immediately upon walking into the lobby of the Nashville hotel where Cloe was staying to conduct the interview, a tourist passed me with Cloe's new single, "Cigarette," playing out loud on her phone. I had to do a double take to make sure I was hearing properly because the coincidence was too perfect to believe. As soon as I met up with Cloe, I had to tell her right away about the remarkable concurrence of events.
Margot: It's so nice to meet you! I'm excited to be able to talk to you for your second official interview with Music Scene Media. How are you feeling headed into tonight's performance? It's the middle of your tour, so I'm sure you're not completely exhausted yet, and the butterflies are still there.
Cloe: Definitely. I'm still pretty dazzled right now and not even exhausted yet. I'm at a really good stage in life for this, where I'm strangely energetic about the whole thing. I haven't been able to play a Nashville show in a while, and this is my first Nashville show as a tour stop. Every time I come to Nashville, I just want to be here more often, and I think this is going to be a really important night on the tour.
Margot: I've been listening to your single "Cigarette" all week. It's so catchy, and I've been singing it as I get ready in the mornings. I want to know which song in your setlist you never get tired of performing, and which one from your new EP you're excited to finally be able to perform?
Cloe: What a good question! I actually don't get sick of singing "Cigarette" because that is my show closer, and by the time we get to that song, I can't help but think, "Wow. That was so much fun, I'm so happy." It's a fun moment I know everyone's going to be excited about.
The one I'm really looking forward to doing live is called "Fear of the Fall"—that's my new EP's closer. It's one of the harder ones to sing, and it's a step further than some of my other songs. It's one where I really have to get ready to hit the notes—fingers crossed.
Margot: Is there a difference in your preparation for live performances versus recording in your studio? Maybe the way you warm up your voice or how you mentally prepare for either?
Cloe: Definitely. I have a little home studio in LA that I call my "Glass Box" because it's in my backyard, and it's sort of like a cabana. It's very comfortable for me. I don't have much of a warm-up process for that, but I mostly just sit in my backyard, write a bunch, and then go into my studio. During my studio time, I eat the worst possible things for my voice and don't drink enough water on those days, but it's okay because I don't have to push it super hard on those days.
On show days, I become a maniac about vocal health. That comes a lot from Spencer Sutherland because he's the best singer I've ever met and has been really helpful. I needed someone to be like, "...No, you're going to drink the water." I have a 20-minute tour warm-up that I do with my vocal coach that's specific to me. I treat my voice as a muscle since I'm naturally raspy, so I try to keep lozenges around. They're black currant flavored, and I love them.
Margot: I'll definitely have to go out afterward and buy some so I can try them.
Cloe: Oh! I have some in my purse, so you're good! I will give one to you.
(I tried one, and they are spectacular. They are Grether's Pastilles in Black Currant.)
Margot: Sometimes, when I feel like I'm working on something creative for a long period of time, I feel like it defines a certain "era" of my life. When looking back to the writing of your EP Life's a Bitch, do you feel like you think of that time fondly, nostalgically—did it define a certain era of your life, or something else?
Cloe: All of that, a little bit. I wrote most of the EP when I was going to LA by myself for the first time. I was there for two weeks and had only written "Cigarette" and "So 17" for the project. I was driving to LA and writing in my notes, "I'm a heavyweight champion," which, when I say that out loud, sounds so dramatic and insane. I had felt really weak after arriving there for some reason and was realizing that I was doing this by myself and was a little freaked out. I ended up writing the rest of the words to "Heavyweight Champion" in the next couple of days, and that one was a really quick write and fun for me. That jumpstarted the era a little bit.
I had written "Tallahassee" while I was there, I wrote "Fear of the Fall" by myself at my piano, and Life's a Bitch was the sort of closer to that little chunk of time. Life's a Bitch for me means it's kind of okay to want to go home, but also maybe I don't want to go home, which sounds a little contradictory because, you know, life's a bitch. I was in so deep, in the trenches, of feeling the coming-of-age in a new way that I hadn’t experienced before. I look back on this time fondly because it finally gave me the confidence to go out and "do the thing."
Margot: For someone who's just discovering your music, what's one song you would tell them to start with?
Cloe: Right now, I'd say start with the song "Tallahassee." It's one of my personal favorites. I know that fact changes for artists all the time, but I feel so connected to that one, and I've been trying to dive deeper into the folk world and that side of myself because I know it exists in there. I did a little bit more of that in Life's a Bitch, but "Tallahassee" is the marker for a new side of myself musically.
Margot: Any final words for us as we get ready to hear your new EP?
Cloe: Honestly, I just hope everyone really likes it. I feel really good about it and think it's pretty cool, cohesive, and a fun way to start off my musical year.
It was a pleasure chatting with Cloe Wilder about her latest EP and artistic process. Her approach to songwriting continues to set her apart as an artist to watch. Be sure to stream Life's a Bitch, which comes out on March 21st, and catch her on tour. Check out her newest single "Tallahassee" and follow her on Instagram @cloewilder to stay updated on what’s next for her!
