WHO IS MONIQUE CLARE?
Monique Clare has taught cello in Afghanistan, toured internationally as a member of The Maes, jumped onstage as a hired gun for Kate Miller-Heidke and Eminem, and led audiences up dark mountainsides for sunrise concerts.
Amidst all this Monique continues to evolve into one of Australia’s most creative and musically inventive artists.
Her most recent indie-folk single ‘Better Now’ invited a conversation about mental health and was discussed in Scenestr Magazine, talked about on ABC Brisbane & Gold Coast, spun on Double J and ABC Country, and was in the top 20 most played songs on 4ZZZ.
Now she is unveiling a final taste from her much-anticipated debut album, Sight, due out this October. Inspired by a friend leaving an abusive relationship, ’House The Hurt’ explores why humans hold themselves in toxic situations. The lyrics tell a story of someone too enamored by their twisted delusion of love to follow through with an action they know they should take.
The protagonist debates the reasons they should stay or leave: “And all my friends tell me I’ve gotta get out; but if I lose your hate I also lose your love.”
This juxtaposition of romance and abuse is reinforced by syncopated melodies and an upbeat, feel-good instrumentation that contrasts with the hard-hitting lyrics. Masterfully orchestrated with intertwining strings, delicate harp, punchy drums and horns – each part composed by the artist herself – Monique is establishing her unique sound within the landscape of Australian music.
“My EP was a stripped back snapshot of how I sound with just my cello and my voice, but I was desperate to create something much bigger. So I constructed a whole world of colourful, textured sound; a musical fantasy land that you can close your eyes and be whisked off to”.
“The harp comes from being raised by classical music-fanatics; we had ABC Classic FM playing non-stop in my family home growing up. There’s a violin part inspired by traditional old-time fiddle techniques I picked up from immersing myself in the US fiddle music scene. Trumpets were thrown in the mix because I used to play that in my high school jazz band, and the drums are a nod to 80s pop. So many influences worked their way into this song”.
With a busy touring schedule ahead, Monique is set to appear at Caloundra Music Festival, Queenscliff Music Festival, the River Folk Festival and more.
This string of festivals sits in front of an adventurous backdrop of activity, maintained even throughout the pandemic. Monique recently represented her country by performing at the Australian pavilion in Dubai for the World Expo in November 2021.
Earlier that year, she was selected by Sounds Australia to participate in Global Music Match, a collaborative program between artists and festival directors around the world.
A constantly active 2021 also saw Monique invited by Folk Music Canada to co-write and release a single with Metis Nation country artist Amanda Rheaume. ‘I’ve Been Gone’ was featured on major Apple music playlists and has received consistent airplay on Sirius XM in the US.
She was the 2017 Folk Alliance Australia’s Young Artist of the Year, going on to showcase at Folk Alliance International in 2018 and 2019.
TOUR DATES
16 Sep: Ipswich QLD // Studio 188
23–25 Sep: The GAS Acoustic Music Sessions, Brooweena QLD
30 Sep: Caloundra Music Festival, Sunshine Coast QLD
1-2 Oct: River Folk Festival, Warburton VIC
8 Oct: River Fest, Rockhampton QLD
21-23 Oct: Tablelands Folk Festival, Yungaburra QLD
13 Nov: Brisbane QLD // Lefty’s Music Hall,
25-27 Nov: Queenscliff Music Festival, VIC
2 Dec: Huon Valley, TAS // Willie Smith’s
3 Dec: Mt Field National Park, TAS // Left Of Field
https://www.moniqueclare.com/tour