We recently connected with Claire Ernst and have shared our conversation below.

Claire, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?

Learning how to write a song is something that never stops, I’m learning everyday from the people that I work with. Before going to Belmont, I would only ever write alone in New Jersey just because there wasn’t so much of a music scene going on there. Once I got into school and was studying songwriting, the professors would assign us to do co-writes and that was the most helpful thing they could’ve done. I learn the most when writing with the people, who have different upbringings and experiences which then in turn means they have different writing styles and processes.

I think the most key thing of cowriting is being kind, being open minded to things you might not have thought of yourself. I taught a small songwriting course at The Music District in Fort Collins last year and the thing I harped on the most was learning how to say no to someones idea without offending and eventually shutting down their creativity, its harder than it may sound. Co-writing it all about creating a safe space for people to say good ideas and bad ones, because thats what leads to the best song!

Claire, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Well my name is Claire Ernst, I’m originally from Hightstown New Jersey, born and raised, but have been in Nashville since 2018 when I started school at Belmont University here. My family is extremely musical, my parents actually met on tour so it is quite literally in my blood! I was lucky enough to get a publishing deal my junior year of Belmont at SeaGayle Music Publishing and have been with them ever since, they really feel like family. Through them I’ve been able to write with so many incredible people and artists, while simultaneously releasing an EP and my debut album that came out last year! I learned a lot during that process and am currently knee deep in my sophomore project which I’m super excited for. I always say my music is Pop/R&B, but this project feels little more layered than that. I take huge inspiration from country story telling, my favorite lyricist is Kacey Musgrave’s, and then I take even more inspiration from Stevie Wonder, PJ Morton, and Yebba musically. I always say my music is the combination of country story-telling lyrics, commercial pop hooks and R&B chords/grooves. This next project feels the most like me and I can’t wait to start rolling it out later this year!

Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?

Salt Lick Incubator is one of the most amazing non-profits that I tell all of my artist friends about! It’s an organization that gives grants from 5,000-15,000 to independent artists that need funding for specific projects/ music videos/ production or anything else! They are the kind of crew that once you’re in, you’re in, and they will help you for years for follow. They’ve given me amazing opportunities outside of the grant, like I’m going on tour with them this March into April which I’m so beyond excited for!! They continue to believe in me and that means the world.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again, but connecting with listeners and fans is the most rewarding thing in the world. Being able to be that song that someone finds on a rainy day and says “oh my god this is exactly what I was feeling” or sending it to a friend like “this is literally what we were talking about the other day” is what I liiiiive for! Going on tour and having fans make me bracelets or me signing their body and them getting it tattooed it blows my mind. I’m so grateful to be able to be doing this everyday.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://claireernst.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/claire.ernst?igsh=MXMzZzduMHZ6NHUyOQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ClaireErnstMusic/featured
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@claire.ernst?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc

Image Credits

Audrey Bergeron
Thomas Smith
Bella Sgarlata