Ploomy Girl #6: Saved by the ClaraBelle

Ploomy Girl #6 ClaraBelle is talented. No wait, let me rephrase that. Ploomy Girl #6 ClaraBelle is “bloody” talented. She’s our first international Ploomy Girl (lives in London) and we’re excited to have her on the site.

Raised in Osaka, Japan by a Scottish mother and a Japanese father, 25-year old Clara had a very unique upbringing. Her mother, dedicated to a world peace movement, named her for the “clarity” she would bring into the world (no pressure). After settling in Scotland for the latter part of her schooling, she then went on to study music in London where she now resides. And when you listen to her music, you realize she’s developed her own unique East meets West aesthetic. That’s probably because her grandparents surrounded Clara with the traditional island sounds and culture of their native Okinawa while her jazz-loving father and mother brought her up on a steady diet of The Carpenters, Carole King, Celtic music, and that little group The Beatles.

Although she’s been so busy in the studio recording her first album, we caught up with her so she could school us on what it’s like juggling a budding music career and being a music teacher.

I see you have an interesting childhood of living in Japan and then London. How do you think it affected what kind of person you are?
Clara: Actually, I was born in Japan but then I moved to Scotland, where my mum is from. I only moved down to London to go to university and I’ve just ended up staying here. But yeah, to answer your question, I think having a multicultural upbringing has enabled me to become a very flexible and adaptable person. Just plonk me anywhere and I’ll be fine!

Was it weird having a Scottish mum in Japan? Was she expected to be like a Japanese person?
Clara: Yes, it was very weird. At the time, there weren’t very many foreigners in Osaka so we got stared at a lot wherever we went. I always felt so self-conscious and I remember hating it. It was really easy to spot my mum in the supermarkets though because the shelves are really low and you only had to look for a blond head bobbing up and down. I don’t know if you’ve ever seen a Japanese Obento? It’s like a packed lunch box, but it’s so artistic and beautiful. I guess one of the annoying things was while all my classmates had lovely flower shaped carrots and cute little bunny shaped apples all wrapped up in beautiful clothes, I just got bread in a bag! It was so shameful to bring it out! Ah, bless my mum, she tried so hard to fit in. Hey, it made me stronger!

What was it like as a young child moving to a completely different country with a different language?
Clara: Now I can say that it was the best thing ever, but looking back I remember being so stressed and grumpy. To begin with, I moved over by myself without my family and I stayed with my auntie. I didn’t go to an international school. Instead I went to a really rough state school in Glasgow (oh my god!). A lot of people say that the American gangsters are nothing compared to rough Glaswegians! Haha…so true! It was so hard learning the language, and I used to make a lot of embarrassing mistakes. Ok one example… One boy thought it would be sooo funny to kindly let me know that a “whore” was a person from abroad… So I was thinking great! I can be all sophisticated and use the grown-up language. So for a day or two (until I caught on) I was going around the whole school introducing myself to people (including teachers) as “Hi (big smile), I’m Clara and I’m a whore.” Can you believe this!!!??? So cruel!

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Do you go back to Japan often?
Clara: Unfortunately I don’t go back to Japan very much simply because I can’t afford to. But I love Japan and would like to go back more often to see my family and especially my grandmother who is getting really old. It’s a bit frustrating actually.

What are some of your favorite things to do in London?
Clara: Find the best coffee shops and go regularly. I love hanging out in Covent Garden in the mornings when it’s not crowded. Hampstead Heath is so nice too although I swear there are always some couples having sex in the bushes! Also I like North London, Crouch End and Muswell Hill. I love drinking cocktails on the south bank too on a really hot, sunny evening.

What’s life like as an aspiring independent musician that has to make a living in the UK?
Clara: Life is a big juggle for me. I’m in a bit of a catch 22 situation as I really want to have all the time in the world to be creative and make music. But as you know London is a very expensive place to survive in, so I am also a teacher. The struggle is to get the right balance and not let teaching take over my life. But I’m sure all artists are in the same position.

Do you ever play with other musicians? How is this a different experience than being on your own?
Clara: I do! I actually enjoy it so much because I really like being in a team and working with other people. It’s very rewarding that way. I have some lovely guys in my band whom I respect massively and who are such nice people. We have such a laugh.

What’s it like being on YouTube and having thousands of views? Do you like having such a fan base?
Clara: Really exciting but it’s soooo weird. One day I decided to do something really simple and unimpressive just for the sake of learning how to use my new webcam and then people liked it! I really didn’t expect anyone to even watch it to be honest. But yes I’ve been getting sooooooo many lovely comments and messages, and I was crying every 2 seconds reading them! I’m still a bit emotional about the whole thing.

Why do you think people are so into your videos?
Clara: Maybe because I’m not really trying hard to be impressive? So I come across like every normal human being and perhaps people relate to me? Maybe because I was comfortable and relaxed, they picked up the vibes?

What do you think about the comments on YouTube that say “marry me” or people expressing their love for you? Are you planning on marrying any of your adoring fans?
Clara: Yes, they should all become my bitches–a nice happy ending for all!

What was the inspiration for the song “Run”?
Clara: I wrote ‘Run’ a few weeks ago on my roof one day when it was really hot. There is a small river (not a pretty one) running beside where I live and I saw a really big, overweight guy running. I don’t mean to come across like a stalker or a spy, but he has been trying to shed the pounds for a while so I often see him around. I thought in the beginning it’ll only last for 3 days, but he hasn’t given up and he has lost a lot of weight already. He is still really big, but I was just watching him from above (it’s quite a tall building) and started singing the song. It just came out, wasn’t really thinking about it (this doesn’t always happen by the way). He was so desperate, totally covered in sweat but really hopeful and motivated. I thought no matter what problems we have, it’s that ‘urge’ to change that keeps us all going. He was so inspiring and I just wanted to hug him–once he’s had a shower of course haha :). He has a goal and he’s gonna get there and I (really wanted to) relate to it. Anyway, that’s the story behind the song…

Who’s a professional musician that you respect?
Clara: Eva Cassidy, KT Tunstall. Very talented and they come over as real, honest people.

How would you compare the music scene in London, Japan and the U.S. respectively?
Clara: I think in the US, people are much more open. You guys seem to embrace all kinds of music. But in UK, people like more edgy and quirky “I’m too cool to wash” types…don’t tell them I said that! Oh and don’t get me started on Japanese pop! Oh my lord!

Do you ever sing at karaoke bars? What kind of reception do you get?
Clara: Never! I do sometimes when I’m in Japan, but I don’t really come across karaoke places in London. I’m sure there are plenty but the only ones I see are in dodgy backstreet pubs with signs falling off the front wall. I would fear for my life!

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What’s something about yourself that most people don’t know?
Clara: That I look like an alien in the mornings. Also I really don’t find The Simpsons and The Family Guy funny. I sobbed like a baby watching Britain’s Got Talent.

Is there any place that you really want to travel to?
Clara: The moon.

If you could have any superpower, what would you have and how would you use it?
Clara: I would like to be a witch! I dressed up as a witch everyday (no joke) when I was a little girl. I don’t want to be an evil one; I mean the nice, herbal ones who make medicine and stuff. All my other friends wanted to be brides or princesses, and they were never too impressed when I insisted on being a witch at their weddings.

You’re so beautiful! What do you think is your best attribute?
Clara: Oh I don’t know… I’d like to say my heart (lol) but we all know that’s a load of rubbish so… Hmm, well the thing is that you don’t know how awful I look in the mornings!

What’s something guys do that totally turns you off?
Clara: Guys who are constantly trying to impress I find very boring. I also find guys who are good at everything really annoying too.

What do you usually like to see in guys?
Clara: I really like guys who are firm but fair, guys who don’t let me walk all over them. They have to be funny, kind and understanding.

So many American men love women who have British accents, but what do you think of guys with American accents?
Clara: Erm….no comment. No, only joking! I think Americans in general are very open and nice. You do realize I have to say that now because you guys seem to like my music! haha:0

What do you think men “need to know”?
Clara: Just know and accept that women are a nightmare.

What are you doing this Friday night?
Clara: I have a ukulele lesson, then I am going to go and watch stand-up comedy in South London with my friends and probably have a bit of a giggle afterwards. But I can’t drink too much because I direct a close harmony choir every Saturday morning. I have to be totally with it for that! What are you doing this Friday night? Anything nice?

Want more ClaraBelle?
www.youtube.com/user/ClaraBelleMusic
www.myspace.com/clarabellemusic

Editor’s Note: This Ploomy Girl was nominated by Tim Bursoff in Chicago, Illinois (thanks!). To nominate someone to be a Ploomy Girl and make her web famous click here.