We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Clare Cunningham a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Clare, appreciate you joining us today. What did your parents do right and how has that impacted you in your life and career?
My parents always encouraged me to do what made me happy. I am one of four children and we are all so uniquely different but we were definitely all go-getters and were allowed to follow our passions. No questions asked. Most parents would shudder if their child told them that they wanted to be a ‘rockstar’ (This was my wish since I was 3 years old!) especially in an industry that can chew you in and spit you out!
From day one my parents supported my dreams and I know this allowed me to be as successful as I was (and am) I was encouraged to put all my efforts and time into a career that has got me to where I am today. They deserve so much credit and I’ll eternally be grateful to them for it.
Clare, 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?
My story is definitely a long one, so long in fact I decided to write a memoir (still in progress) so if anybody would really like to learn more or get a better insight, outside of this interview,than simply go to https://www.clarecunninghammusic.com/memoir
I do always put a little disclaimer out there (!) that I followed a very ungodly pathway for a long time before restoring my faith at the end of 2020, so some of my older music and the bands I was in (Thundermother) may not signify who I am or what I advocate for today. But there’s a beauty in seeing the evolution process I guess! I was heavily into the occult and witchcraft, so the enemy is definitely not happy that I’ve left that world and definitely tries and tests me but I know the battle has already been won!!:)
If I were to describe myself/my brand, I would say that I am filled with love for this world and those around me. I come from humbling beginnings and have seen and endured a lot of adversity throughout my life. Once I handed my life over to Christ I became a new creation and no longer let the guilt and shame of what I’ve been through define me. Leaving the past in the past and not identifying with any past traumas.
Learning to remain as present and focused with the day ahead and not getting consumed in yesterday or tomorrow. Thats a tough thing to do and I do fall short at times but I’m getting better.
I have a strong calling on my life to bring hope and inspiration to those around me and my music is very inspirational. One might call it social conscious music. Because of the things I’ve seen and gone through, I have a level of understanding and empathy that allows me to connect on a deeper level with those around me who suffer or have suffered also. I want them to know that they too like me will see it through another day.
As a mental health advocate, I use my platform to be a voice for those who feel they can’t express themselves or are too afraid to speak up, and be a vessel of inspiration, hope, love, truth, and faith for those around me so that nobody ever feels like they are in this world alone.
I had a very suppressed voice growing up and even in a lot of my adolescence and adult years, so I now feel it’s my duty having found that voice to give back and advocate for the stigmatized conversations that still prevail in our world
today.
I have a passion for working with non-profit organisations especially those that help victims and families of victims of crime or abuse and trauma. ‘Volunteers of America’ is the predominant one I continue to work alongside, but there are a lot of others too.
Any institution or company that brings awareness and hope to those who are suffering in this world I will support and get behind. I’ve also started giving my testimony in churches and want to to get involved with more ministry work too and get into schools, youth groups, and one day prisons and anywhere I can spread my story to bring hope. So if anybody reading this believes I would be a good fit then please reach out.
Music has been my only career. I have been very fortunate to be gifted with songwriting which started out as poetry as a child. I get to be a vessel to my Lord Savior and pour out my own feelings, which not only help me personally but in turn can help those around me. I can’t explain what it’s like when I perform. I feel like I go to a completely different place mentally and spiritually. There are times when I sing certain songs of mine that I get full body chills, knowing that the line/song I just sung has resonated with somebody in the audience. A lot of people get emotional at my shows, surprisingly more men, and that to me is always confirmation that I’m fulfilling my calling.
I’ve had endless amount of people approach me both in person and online telling me I’m making a difference or that I saved them or a loved one from committing suicide. Wow. That’s what real success looks like to me.
No likes, money, fame or notoriety will ever compare to the feeling that I’ve brought somebody out of their darkest moment and into the light.
My last few records are very metal health and faith focused. Most notably my EP ‘Mercy’ (2022) and my latest worship album ‘Helping Hand’ (2023)
I’ve still a long way to go but there’s a lot more coming and I will do everything in my will power to make a small difference and impact before I leave this earth with my music. That’s what I want to be known for.
I come from Ireland and so my culture is something I am very proud of and I released an EP back in 2021 called ‘Dear Ireland’. I’m currently finishing up songs for my next Celtic record which will be out in 2024 so stay tuned!
I’ll be starting out a new venture in 2024 and getting together a band for some tours and going to take each day as it presents itself and continue doing what I am called to do. Writing and just being a vessel to the gift I’ve been given.
I am always open to new opportunities so if you are reading this and feel I may be a fit for something you have, then do not hesitate in getting in touch. I don’t have a team – it’s just me!
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
Without fail, the most rewarding part of being a creative is the fact I get to use my creativity to make an impact in a strangers (or friends) life. Most of the time I will never know unless they reach out and tell me. Which admittedly often leaves me to wonder if I am I doing enough or if I’m truly making a difference.
Being a creative also allows me to live a very authentic life and I don’t have to answer to anybody or involve myself in politics or drama or corporate shenanigans that exist within certain workforces or places. I get to just be me and unapologetically so.
That is a beautiful position that I never take for granted.
Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?
From years of being surrounded by and integrating with non creatives, especially during childhood, people rarely understood that this isn’t a job for me. This is my passion, my calling, my very existence.
When I would chose to study or stay in instead of partying, to prepare for a musical exam or concert, I would be labeled as ‘boring’ or ‘not living my life’. A hard pill to swallow at times, but in order for me to be the best version of myself that I can be, I need to remain in a disciplined state of mind. This creeps into my exercise regime also.
I have this insatiable gift of having a LOT of energy and if it doesn’t get utilized I get extremely antsy and people around me won’t get the best version of me. I know my body so well that if I want to push myself and it feels ok to do so then nothing or nobody will get in my way. I can happily take constructive feedback but I’ve not been put on this earth to live by anybody else’s standards or limitations.
When those around me would tell me I should ‘slow down’, take a break’, ‘find a real job’, etc, I learned to ignore the noise and just focus on what I knew I was called to do. That was especially hard growing up when it’s much easier to fit in and be accepted by your peers, but I finally made peace with the fact that not everybody will understand who I am or my life choices. I sincerely no longer care for the negative opinions of others because that’s between myself and the Lord. I can respect you but it doesn’t mean I have to agree with you.
Creative brains are often said to ‘wired differently’. A new study led by UCLA Health scientists shows highly creative people’s brains appear to work differently from others’, with an atypical approach that makes distant connections more quickly by bypassing the “hubs” seen in non-creative brains.
Personally I believe with this knowledge (and many scientifically researched topics in this field) it can be concluded that because of this different wiring structure between a creative and non creative brain, it goes deeper than we can see from the outside. Accepting this and knowing that I am unique is key to not letting non creative personalities hinder my spirit.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.clarecunninghammusic.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/clarecofficial
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/clarecofficial
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/clarecofficial
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@clarecofficial
- Other: Linktree : https://linktr.ee/Clarecofficial Apple: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/clare-cunningham/1005311063 Spotify : https://open.spotify.com/artist/0E5HcITxx6vAljUf9vdCuN Tik tok : https://www.tiktok.com/@clarecofficial
Image Credits
Barbara potter Rich wysockey Tim temple Danielle Kennedy Cedar Brooke Photgraphy