So which do we all prefer - reality or fantasy? While it's essential to keep in touch with our actual surroundings, sometimes it's therapeutic (and necessary) to build our own world. Rising indie artist Clara Zimm explores this duality, both in her newest single "Fading" and her overarching motif of "moon girl romance."
Although much of her artistry leans into the imaginary, her real-life stories serve as inspiration. Music has helped her navigate and process experiences and emotions. Yes, that's just the power of a good melody or lyric, but Clara takes the concept to new heights. We recently got the privilege to sit down and talk with her. She spilled pretty much everything to us - where her brand came from, the tea with her ex, artists she looks up to, new music we can expect, and much more!
Image courtesy of Clara Zimm, graphic created by Karly Ramnani
YOU'LL LOVE CLARA ZIMM IF YOU LISTEN TO: Lana Del Rey, Etta James, Kehlani, MUNA, Kali Uchis, Lido, SZA, Taylor Swift
First of all, what made you choose @moon.girl.romance for your Instagram handle? What does it represent about your music?
My dad used to collect these old 1950s comic books. They were really misogynistic comic books, of course, because they were in the 1950s, but they were at my house. There was this one comic series called True Love, and it says “Moon Girl… Romance: A True Love Story.” That’s where I got it from. It’s very cinematic and dramatic, and it’s all about creating the story I want, and I’m going to incorporate it into a brand.
I love how you turned something originally misogynistic into something so beautiful and empowering, and so you! In your song “Fading,” I thought the lyrics worked really well with the style of music. What inspired you to write it?
Heartbreak definitely inspired it. I was in a situationship that was leaving me very lonely a lot of the time, and the song was self-sabotaging it. I was so tired of trying with this guy and holding on to the hope I had for so long with him. The style of the song - using as little words as possible - because I do a lot of repetition of the lyrics, and the production is more of the story, that was very much Lido-inspired. Also, at the end of the song, I say "Who the fuck cares anymore?" "Tell Me How To Feel" is Lido's song, and he says that. So I took that [phrase] and put that in the song in my own way.
Seriously, who the fuck cares anymore! That really resonated.
I can't care anymore! It's either I choose myself or I choose you. And if I choose you, you've never chosen me, so I can't do that. I was very much "Fading" out of this relationship and getting tired of holding on to empty promises.
Did you produce "Fading"?
No - so "Fading" is going to be the first single off of my EP called Back To Reality Now, all about fantasy vs. reality and how it's easier living inside your head. I wrote the song on Logic, I did the keys, I did my harmonies, and I showed the song to my producer who's been working on this album with me. His name is Owen Lantz, his producer name is Oweezy. He and my good friend Jonathan Pfarr (he goes by Jafar, he's also an artist) were working as audio engineers at the time. John and Owen created this amazing production behind it, and [when I heard it] I was like "Ooh, this is so vibey!" Bobby Mota also did some additional production, so it's three producers in total. We're all really good friends and we collaborate with each other all the time. They're really dope, and I would not have music without them.
I love that! Music really forms the best friendships, and the best kind of creative relationships too. Why do you think "Fading" is a good introduction to your Back To Reality Now era?
That is the moment where I realized I need to let go of this person. On Spotify, I have a canvas where I'm holding flowers and looking out at this view of California. The flowers represent this lost love that I'm letting go of, and I'm looking out at my dreams. I'm mourning the loss of this relationship that I held on to for so long. I wanted this guy more than I wanted myself sometimes, and that's how it should never be. I'm finally ready to step into my "moon girl romance" Clara. It's the start of our story. I had that vision in my mind, I knew I wanted my canvas to be that. Right now, I'm kind of doing everything on my own. I was driving around Hollywood, and I saw these gorgeous houses and the Hollywood sign was right there. I got my tripod and everything. I found this perfect little corner and the sunset was pouring in.
I love that you mentioned how the environment of LA inspired you, because that was going to be my next question! Have you always lived in LA?
No - I'm from Norfolk, Virginia. I moved in October 2020, so right after the first [COVID] shutdown, and right before the second shutdown. I also deferred a semester of college my junior year to move out here - to start networking, making demos, and seeing what LA is like.
What was the biggest surprise for you upon moving across the country?
I guess the biggest surprise is that the fantasy world I had before I moved was not the reality of LA. I knew it wasn't going to be, but I guess it's all about mindset at the end of the day. It doesn't really matter where you move. Yes, LA is the hub of what everyone's trying to do, but mindset's going to get you where you're going. Also LA, is not an easy place to move, but we're doing it! Once a week, I'm like, "Do I move back home to the comfort of my mother, or do I keep on grinding out until I get on that stage?" So we're still going to be grinding! It's scary, but I think anyone who moves away from home is really determined in what they're doing.
Yeah, like you took that first step! So other than Lido, who are your biggest inspirations as an artist, and in what ways do they influence your craft?
I have a favorite artist once a week, but I'd say my biggest inspiration in the music industry, and the person I look up to and admire, is Lana Del Rey. Her new album is coming out March 24th, and my single was going to drop the same week, but I think I'm going to change it to the week after. Lyrically and visually, she's created this whole world and lane for herself, and I strive to do that. I also love jazz - Etta James is a big inspiration of mine, Ella Fitzgerald, and Sara Vaughan. And then I love Kehlani, Alina Perez, and Kali Uchis (who's putting out a new album)!
It's really interesting that you mentioned jazz! I never listened to "Fading" with jazz in mind, but now I'm going to go back and see if I can hear the Etta James in it!
Please! I've listened to my song so many times, so I don't know at this point. So many people can hear different things in everything, and I like to dabble in so many different genres as well. I would say my voice is unique and soulful - I have a different voice, and I like it.
Yeah, there's a lot of power yet vulnerability behind it. To wrap things up - the P&P classic - what is your favorite lyric from "Fading," and can you walk us through it?
I would say "Feeling past the sunrise and the sunset now / Feelings are sublime into someone else / Feeling so much better out of your arms now."
I'm saying, "You don't want what I'm wanting to give you, but it's going to go into someone else one day. It's sublime, and it's a shame you don't want that." My feelings are fading, and I'm fading out of the darkness. I always felt like I was walking on eggshells, and this person could never validate how I felt. It was a very one-sided relationship. But the thing is, I wrote this song when I was still in it, when I was still fading out of it. I knew what I had to do, and this song was a prelude to what I did.
It's definitely a revenge song too - "You broke me first, now I don't care what you do. You got me to that point where I don't care anymore. I can't hold onto your empty words, I can't hold onto this false hope that you're giving me when you're just coming into and going out of my life as you please.
We can't thank Clara enough for opening her heart to P&P, and we loved getting this glimpse into her music and perspective. Clara just knows how to hook listeners into a sentimental, honest story. As the release of Back To Reality Now approaches, we simply can't get enough of "Fading." Here's a playlist we've curated to capture her vibe!
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