Alex: Hey Sam, how are you going?
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Samantha: I’m good thank you. Oh wow, I just automatically assumed this would be a guy! The name Alex… nice surprise!
So where am I talking to you from this morning?
I’m in Sydney at the moment. We've been rehearsing for the upcoming tour which is coming up very soon! So we are all at home at the moment, just sort of putting the show together. It’s all happening at the moment because we got out on tour the same day as the album is released, so there is a lot going on.
So you are coming to Laurieton in September, how long has it been since you've been this way?
It’s been a little while for sure! We do try and get up this way whenever we do have a tour; it’s definitely overdue so we are ready to bring the new tour up there! We did an acoustic tour last time, and the time before so we are so happy to have the whole band back and be a bit more of a party.
The release of the album is coming really soon, how are you feeling about it?
I've got to be honest and say I am a bit nervous because it has been two years since the last album and we were a bit quiet last year. We had a bit of a break so you never know how you are going to do once you've been out of the scene for a little bit. We are proud of the album and the kinds of songs we were able to create the past two years but yeah you never know what people’s reactions are going to be and if they will want to come out and see the show. Fingers crossed it’ll all do well!
'Here’s to You & I' (The McClymonts latest album) does have a lot more realness and honesty within it, what kind of life experiences inspired these?
It just came from having that break last year. We never really had balance in our lives before, it was always just 100% music and touring, and when we weren't touring we just went straight into the studio and wrote. We really didn't have balance, so I think when we took a break and all went off to experience the real world outside of music we were able to go through so many more experiences, which really does come out in the album. I think real life experiences are what tend to lend themselves to a song, to make it better, make it real. That is what people want to hear, songs that connect to them. So I think the break was the best thing, for us to be able to find ourselves and being able to create music.
So right now are you living in Australia or America?
We are living in Australia! Last time we went back to America was last March and we just decided that it was too hard going back and forth constantly because we feel we just start building up our fan base over there, then we would leave to come back here. Then we would make an album here and head back to America, leaving our fans in Australia. We kind of felt we couldn't give 100% for each place. So we decided to really focus on Australia this time. You know, stay home, record the album here with Aussie musicians, write with Aussie song writers and give back to the fans, hence the name 'Here's to You & I'. It’s kind of saying “Thank you for waiting for us to come back from America and supporting us through our journey no matter where we have been”.
That’s great! So the album was split between recording in Brooke’s shed and Sydney, do you think the change of pace gave the album a different perspective?
Yeah, we loved recording the album in Australia! It was really nice to do something different seeing as we have recorded the last three in America. Which was an amazing experience as well, but it is nice to be able to go home to your own bed each night and be able to head into the studio each morning with fresh ears. And I guess that is where the whole balance thing came back into play, because for once we were able to do the thing we love which is music yet be able to go back home with our family each night.
Do you feel more creative and active when in Australia or Nashville?
A bit of both! We really set aside time to write or record music, musicians are kind of gypsies… you know, always touring and whatnot, so you have to be able to turn it on wherever you are. But in saying that, Nashville in America is a very inspiring place. People do go there to make their dreams come true and it’s where all of these amazing musicians go, so it is overwhelming how talented people are.
Would you guys consider a permanent move over there?
I don’t know, I think if the right opportunity came along. Brooke’s got a little girl now who is two, so there is a lot more to think about. We aren't eighteen anymore, where you can really pack up and leave whenever you want. We have to kind of think about things more and ask each other, you know what the best thing for the McClymonts is. We are just kind of being a bit more thoughtful these days and trying to make sure everyone is happy. We find that we create better music and enjoy music so much more when we are happy in both of our worlds.
You have been on the same bill as Ozzy Osbourne, is that something cool to have under your belt?
*laughing* Yeah it is something you would never expect to see! They’re opportunities that come up and you just run with them. It was pretty funny to playing at Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in America, where you are just looking out at all this leather and beards and they are ready to watch Ozzy Osbourne… and here we are; these three Australian girls from Grafton playing country music. So it was quite an experience!
So what are your biggest personal influences?
We all like really different kinds of music really. Mollie likes very American country, I am more into Lana Del Rey and Ellie Goulding, and then there is Brooke who loves the really old school rock. So we are all very, very different but when we all come together, all those influences really come out but with that McClymont’s twist!
Have you been able to meet any of your heroes since being in the business?
Yeah we have been really lucky to meet a lot of artists, but we have not met Dolly Parton yet! We have been really, really lucky to have met so many and write with some great artists, and even play at places like the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville. That is like something you hear about when you’re a kid and never expect that you’re going to do.
What are the best collaborations and shows you have done?
Ahhhhh, to be honest doing the acoustic tour last year was great. It was just very chilled out and people could hear us sing. It was us just sitting on stools, so it was all about the voices and the songs. It was a nice change for us, but every tour is fun and different. We got to do a song with Jimmie Little who is such an icon and we've done a duet with Ronan Keating. Brooke wrote a song that Olivia Newton John recorded, so there have been a lot of opportunities that have come our way in which you feel really lucky to have had it happen to you.
Who is the primary song writer in the McClymonts or is it a joined force?
Well Brooke is five years older than Mollie and I so she has definitely had a lot more experiences, in terms of going overseas writing. And just those extra five years on us, but when it comes to McClymonts songs we do all collaborate and write together and just make it a real group project.
So Sam, you play bass? How did that begin?
I do! Brooke has always just played acoustic guitar since she was young, so Mollie and I just sort of jumped between instruments because we couldn't make up our minds. Y’know, we just went into playing piano and guitar and bass, all these different things. But when we got signed about eight years ago we couldn't afford to go out with a band. So Brooke was like “Okay I’m going to play acoustic, Sam you own a bass guitar so you have to pick up that and Mollie you pick up a mandolin and you just have to learn them.” So we learnt five songs and we went out on the road, we played them night after night because we were a support act and then it gradually built up to officially playing them. Its amazing because now we can go out and play anywhere without having to rely on anyone else
Do you find country artists tend to be more dedicated to their fans as opposed to mainstream artists?
We are really lucky with our fans because they come back, and even if one song isn't as successful as the last they still support you. They know what you’re capable of and have that trust. We have been able to tour now for seven years which is really difficult in this industry these days, but we are so lucky that our fans still want to come to the shows night after night. They have enabled us to make music.
You have nearly twenty dates on your tour, what is it that you enjoy about playing to the more regional crowd?
Yeah every place we go is just so different so you never know what kind of place you’re stepping into. We are from Grafton so we do love regional areas and playing everywhere really! It is nice to see familiar faces at regional shows, because they are people that come time after time. It is like playing to family!
Thank you so much Sam for having a chat with me!
That’s alright, thanks Alex. Well now I’ll know who to expect next time on the phone!