We found out some more about April Patterson Clemens following the release of her captivating and atmospheric new single ‘Our Campfire Days’
A captivating and multi-faceted artist , April Patterson Clemens is somebody who brings her thoughtful, rich appeal into everything that she does, and there is a haunting and beautiful quality in her work that leaves a really lasting impression.
The artist’s latest single, a collaboration with French-American guitarist Cobalt Tolbert, is a track that encapsulates this appeal in memorable fashion. Weaving an immersive tale of a girl reminiscing about her first love following his death, April’s captivating style is allowed to showcase its most folky and authentic-feeling prowess throughout, with the chemistry between herself and Cobalt making for a seamless and ethereal feel that never lets you out of its hypnotic grasp. We love this new release and how distinctive and powerful it feels, and it made us keen to have a chat with April and find out a little bit more about her journey as an artist and what else she has planned for the future.
Who TF is April Patterson Clemens?
That girl? She’s awesome. I saw her at a coffeeshop once. April Patterson Clemens writes songs that make you want to find a doorway to a magical, melancholy forest. She handcrafts them out of teenage goth tears, lost cowboy boots, and old book smell. Each song is aged in her mind, casked in memories and imagination until its body and flavor have been perfected.
How long have you been making music?
Since I was a lil teenage girl in garage bands.
Why do you make music?
That’s really a two-parter, because there’s the writing of the song and then the performing. Writing a song is exciting, because it’s like putting together a puzzle. There’s nothing more satisfying than when a song is completed and it feels “right.” Then the performing/sharing is also important, because you’ve made this thing and you want people to hear it, or it doesn’t really exist. So I do it for the challenge of writing music and then the joy of sharing it. Also, it’s just fun.
What are your biggest influences?
For foundational influences I’ll go with The Incredible String Band, 10,000 Maniacs, Iron & Wine, Rasputina, Nirvana, Led Zeppelin, and early Pink Floyd.
What would you say has been your best moment so far?
Maybe the first time I played a solo set, just me and my guitar. The best moment while playing is when you’re in a song and you feel that the audience is right there in it with you, and that’s the first time I really felt that.
How would you describe your sound to somebody unfamiliar with it?
Bittersweet songs to listen to after abandoning society to go live in a cabin. Also a few songs to cheer you up in the cabin, but not as many.
What’s your dream “I’ve made it” moment?
I want people to know my songs. I don’t care if they ever know me, but I want my songs on their lips and in the hearts. Let my songs live! Give them life eternal! So, walking down the street and hearing someone hum one of my songs, that’d be cool.
We love your new single ‘Our Campfire Days’, what more can you tell us about it?
This song is about a girl whose first love has just died, a kind of guitar playing bad boy, and she’s looking back on their relationship and the sweet times they had together. It’s not autobiographical, but does parallel situations from my past. I recommend listening to it at twilight on a rainy day.
What else do you have planned for the near future?
I’m releasing a new single, “Time Takes Us,” at the end of September. It really showcases Cobalt Tolbert’s guitar playing and the new direction my songwriting has taken. I’ll also be playing live shows and hopefully recording a Christmas album.
And finally, who is your biggest fan right now?
Both my dogs are such stans. Always licking my pants and my pillow (just really too far, you know?). They’re huskies, so they know the words to all my songs, which are apparently “Arooooo, aroooo, arooo!” They follow me everywhere, hounding me day and night. There’s no escaping them (or their hair).
