Clare Bowen Interview by Christian Lamitschka for Country Music News International Magazine & Radio Show

Clare Bowen Interview by Christian Lamitschka for Country Music News International Magazine & Radio Show

Lamitschka:  Music has many new fans throughout Europe who may be hearing
about you for the first time. How would you describe yourself and the music you
play to someone who has never seen or heard you?

I am just
me. My album is a collection of stories from my life and the lives of people I
love. It represents many of the different facets of me as a person, what my
life has been so far, and what I hope to achieve in the future; the heart of
which is changing the world for the better and reassuring people that they’re
not alone.

Lamitschka:  Please tell us about
the songs on your album (influences, etc).

I take my
influence from artists such as Johnny Cash, June Carter Cash (not just their
music, but also their love for one another), Dolly Parton and her music and the
way she spreads goodness wherever she goes; Bruce Springsteen who gives
everything he’s got when he performs live and shares his stage with lots of
performers. I also love Helene Fischer for the same reason – she gives so much
and shared her platform with me so generously when I first came to Germany.
Buddy Miller is one of my musical mentors, and so is Colin Linden, who I was
lucky enough to have as my lead guitarist on our first German tour. Paul Simon
– because Graceland was the very first album I owned. Billie Holiday for her immense
bravery in storytelling, and Janice Joplin and Stevie Nicks for their complete
individuality.

Lamitschka:  Are you doing anything
to take music beyond its current borders or are you happy where it is?

I am
doing my best to make music something that fills people with hope. To use my
platform for good, to tell stories that can make people forget all their
worries, or perhaps find words to voice their worries. There are so many people
walking around in the world feeling so alone. I want them to know that they belong
and are precious.

Lamitschka:  What inspired you to
become an artist?

It just
sort of happened. I think I was born to tell stories, but somewhere along the
way, lost my courage.  It was my brother, Timothy James Bowen (who is also
a musician) pulling me aside almost ten years ago now, and asking me “why don’t
you sing anymore?” I told him I guess I’ve listened to too many people who
called my ideas weird or silly, or told me that my goals were unachievable and
unrealistic. I started to believe those people and shut down until my brother
kicked me back into gear, told me I was born to do this, and made me a little
brave again.

Lamitschka:  Do fans mob you
everywhere you go or do they respect your privacy?

Mobbing
happens sometimes, and I am shy, so my team does their best to minimize those
situations. But my fans are incredible. They tell me their stories and come to
show after show and are very respectful towards myself and my family – even
when they’re very excited.  I have encountered people who don’t respect my
privacy, grab at me, stalk me, pretend to be me or treat me like I’m not a
person, just an object – scary things like that; but I don’t consider those
people to be fans.

Lamitschka:  Many music fans today
get their information about artists online. Do you have your own website and
what will fans find there?

If you go
to  ClareBowenOfficial.com, you will find accurate information about
me. Also, on social media (@clarembee) I happily share a lot of what’s going on
in my everyday life. Those are the places you’ll actually be able to get to
know me properly outside of a show and my music.

Lamitschka:  What do you think about today’s music scene versus its post
and where do you see it going in the future? 

Music is
a forever changing culture, often informed by what is going on in the world at
any given time. To me it feels like we are currently revisiting the protest
song period of the 60’s, which I believe is highly necessary due to the extreme
division in humanity we are experiencing at the moment. The first example that
comes to mind is just recently hearing P!nk sing “Wild Hearts Can’t Be Broken.”
It filled me with such hope when I heard it. I want to make music that fills
people with hope and strength.

Lamitschka:  What moments in your
career stand out in your memory as highlights and achievements which you are
proud of?

The first
time I played the Opry – it was at the Ryman singing a duet with Vince Gill,
who is a person I hold in very high regard. My first solo set at the
Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, which was made even more special as it was the
very first time I sang with Brandon Robert Young, who is now my husband. Being
honoured at the ACM awards and being in a picture alongside people such as
Dollly Parton and songwriter Lori McKenna.  And in Germany, selling out
the entire tour and the first time I held a physical copy of my album in my
hands (which I gave to my parents).

Lamitschka:  When you get time off,
how do you like to relax?

I hang
out with my husband, Brandon, our dear friends & family, and our animals.
Sometimes I’ll go and find one of my horses and lay on his back to read a book,
where I inevitably fall asleep, but he would never let me fall off! I knit and
make things, write songs and make plans for what my next adventure will be. I
really want to thank all the wonderful people who helped me sell out my first
German tour. You made me feel so welcome and I am forever grateful for your
enthusiasm, encouragement and open-hearted nature. Danke schoen for making the
tour one of the best musical and cultural experiences of my life.