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***Interview with Ploomy***
Ploomy: I see you have an interesting childhood of living in Japan and then London. What was this like? 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!
Ploomy: Was it weird having a British 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 guess one of the annoying things was that… 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. So 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!
Ploomy: 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… I used to make a lot of embarrassing mistakes like…
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) "HiJ (big smile), I'm Clara and I'm a whore"… Can you believe this!!!??? So cruel!
Ploomy: Do you go back to Japan? Do you want to go back?
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, a bit frustrating actually…
Ploomy: 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. And 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.
Ploomy: Do you ever play with other musicians? How is this a different experience then being on your own?
Clara: I do! And 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 who I respect massively and who are such nice people, we have such a laugh.
Ploomy: 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 back street pubs with signs falling off the front wall…I would fear for my life!
Ploomy: What's it like being on YouTube and having over 20,000 views? Do you like having such a fan base?
Clara: Really exciting but it's soooo weird. One day I decide 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 thingJ
Ploomy: Tell us what the inspiration was for "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, over-weight 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, 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...
Ploomy: If you had a free "become a famous musician card" would you take the opportunity and become famous?
Clara: I really don't mind not being famous and just playing to people who like my songs but it depends on what you mean by "famous". If you mean being a role model and inspiring to people then yes! Definitely! But if you mean being on Hello magazine or the OK magazine and being chased around like Britney, then no…that's awful.
Ploomy: Who's a professional musician that you respect?
Clara: Eva Cassidy, KT Tunstall. Very talented and they come over as real honest people.
Ploomy: Where do you think you want to go with your life now?
Clara: Oh I don't know…go on the flow! (gosh, that rhymes…quick write a song!)
Ploomy: 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!
Ploomy: Is there any place that you really want to travel to?
Clara: The moon.
Ploomy: Do you ever like watching sports? What do you like to watch?
Clara: I don't like to watch too much, I like to play…and win!
Ploomy: What do you think about some of the comments on you tube like the ones that say "marry me" or people expressing their love for you. What do you think of these comments? Are you planning on marrying any of your adoring fans?
Clara: yes they should all become my bitchesJ a nice happy ending for all!
Ploomy: You're so beautiful! What do you think is your best attribute? (i.e. eyes, smile, dimples, etc)
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!
Ploomy: 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?
Ploomy: What is your favourite movie?
Clara: recently, sex and the city for sure! I loved it so much, I cried 6 times and I laughed so much even at places when no one else was laughing…it was a bit embarrassing (in the cinema).
I saw mainly women in the cinema but I spotted a few poor boyfriends who got dragged along…and I'm sure I heard them laughing louder than the girls…!!!
Ploomy: If you had any superpower that you wanted 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…
Ploomy: What are some of your favourite 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.
Ploomy: 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 realise I have to say that now because you guys seem to like my music!...haha:0
Ploomy: What's something guys do that totally turns you off?
Clara: Guys who are constantly trying to impress I find very boring… also find guys who are good at everything really annoying too…
Ploomy: 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.
Ploomy: 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…
Ploomy: What do you think men "need to know?"
Clara: Just know and accept that women are a nightmare.
Ploomy: What are you doing this Friday night? No seriously, our readers like to know this type of stuff [laughs].
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 Sat morning. I have to be totally with it for that! What are you doing this Friday night? Anything nice?
8:44 AM
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