All eyes - and ears - are on Clancy. The solo project of Perth songwriter Clancy Davidson, who has worked across a variety of Australian acts (smol fish, Noah Dillon, Gia Como and No Nomad), sees the artist exploring and celebrating their own world through a brilliant pop experimental sound that we have fallen in love with. As their debut mixtape Pretty Intelligent Girl has just arrives, we spoke to Clancy about choosing to do a solo project, and crafting her own sound:

We love the mixtape! Exciting time to be Clancy. Tell us about why you wanted to release this music - aside from your work in smol fish.

THANK YOU! That’s a really good question because sometimes I wonder myself… It’s the creation and the ‘doing it’ that I really love so why would I feel the need to release it? I think simply because I’m proud of it!? Also because I want music to be what I do all the time, a career some might say and this is the way I know to build that.  

I wanted to release it under my own name mainly because smol fish operates very much as a band and this feels different, it’s a more solitary process. The fish get in a room and we write songs together with real instruments and 4 different personalities / sensibilities at work. The launching pad for a smol fish song has more of a singer-songwriter energy, either myself or Olive come to the band with the initial idea accompanied by guitar.  These songs I am releasing as Clancy came from a bit more of an experimental place. I wanted to lean into a sound that is less organic or not such an “in the room” feel, instead, being characterised by sampled drums, atmospheric layers and processing. I think the project ‘Clancy’ has given me the freedom to make whatever choice or take whichever direction feels right, allowing for personal growth and pivots. In terms of songwriting, it’s all my choices and I don’t think they’re always choices anyone other than myself would make therefore it really does feel apt to release it under my own name.  

Were these songs crafted with the idea of them being in one project together, or are they from different times in your life?

They were not crafted with a project in mind. I made them because I needed something to do with my hands and because I needed somewhere to put my annoyingly big feelings and obsessions. At the time of writing them I did have that “okayyy I think I might be onto something” feeling so it just felt like a project was forming. They were written over the space of years so are about different times in my life but I think (owing to the fact I haven’t been very self aware throughout the years) the recurring patterns in my behaviour have made for a strong narrative throughout the tracks.

How does your writing process differ when you’re writing just for yourself?

I think I play around and take more risks. I follow ideas that hold my interest and I’m not trying to pre-empt what people want from me or try an exceed an expectation. I might go with the idea because I find it funny or because it makes my hairs stand on end or because I can feel a lump in my throat forming. I just wanna feel something, I guess. I’ll take things to extremes where I might’ve pulled back in another context.  I feel like more of an explorer and I listen to my own body more, such a fun way to create!    

You worked with some cool people in terms of production and mastering etc. How did these people help shape the sound of Clancy?

Liam Downey (LMDNA) played a huge role in shaping the sound. He produced the mixtape with me. He is much, much more proficient than I. He just gets it, it’s like he can hear and execute what I was trying to get at when I don’t quite know how to. I love the way he injects the songs with energy and excitement!

Is there a song you’re most excited for people to hear?

I’m really excited for people to hear ‘Woman Like You’. My dad told me it's his favourite and getting a compliment out of my father is like getting blood from a stone so I know he really means it!

Tell us about the visual world of Clancy. What’s on the moodboard? How would you describe your visual style?

I am not operating with a very big budget so it definitely has quite the DIY feel. I think even if I did have the budget I’d still lean into that aesthetic.  I guess I am lucky that is the type of content I like. In all aspect of this project I like to explore contradiction. I do it sonically and thematically and I think that has also bled into the visual side of things. I like to blur the lines between earnest and ironic. I like to treat silliness seriously. I am interested in expressing my ugliness as well as beauty.  

That was a bit too conceptual wasn’t it… Okay, cringe warning… Here are the types of categories I think Pinterest would suggest: share house chic, quirky girl aesthetic, handycam realness, losercore, freak, #wlw, perthonality. (Some of these were a bit more aspirational than realistic)  

Is fashion important to you? What’s the Clancy look?

I would say fashion is important to me! I think I have a look and I will expand on that but I think I also want to make room for evolution. My body and my relationship to my body is ever changing. The clothes I chose to wear keeps me connected to my body and sense of self.  I think as long as I’m keeping in tune with these things I can have a really playful approach to fashion.

At the moment my obsession with contradiction definitely informs how I put together an outfit. Mixing pretty, feminine shapes with masculine or sporty or kind of ratty, maybe sometimes a little sexy. I must admit, part of the way I dress is to signal my queerness, leaning into lesbian tropes while balancing elements of my own personal style that might fall outside of that.  I’ve been having fun putting together outfits so chopped they come back round full circle and I actually feel really stylish. I also am a sucker for getting a bit of belly out, sometimes a little peep of butt-cheek if I’m feeling naughty.  

We really like your vocal tone and also the way you sing in your accent. Which artists inspire you in terms of vocal delivery?

Thanks!! I remember my mum had this Megan Washington CD. It was her and a pianist, it was a jazz album, I’ve never been able to find it anywhere, it must’ve only been a physical release. Anyway, its beautiful, she’s singing jazz but it still sounds like Megan Washington. I listened to it so much growing up that it lives inside my bones. I think it’s almost like that album gave me permission to sing in my own voice and accent no matter what genre, it’s never really been a super conscious decision. Having said that, I do remember hearing Stella Donnelly for the first time and thinking hell yeah this vocal delivery makes so much sense to me and I took a lot of inspiration from her for sure!

Which other rising Aus artists are you excited about / listening to?

I’m always in awe of Tamara and the Dreams! Her particular brand of songwriting really hits the spot for me. Also, Symmetrical Dogs are a powerful powerful band and I love them dearly  

What’s next?

After the mixtape I have plans to start recording an Album. I have blocked out intentional time to write for the first time ever which is actually super exciting to me!!

Listen to Clancy's new mixtape HERE.

@chefspiss_