Clara Waidley made her E. Broad Records debut this year with the release of 2 singles from her upcoming album, “summer 4 ever”—the carefree, real-time nostalgia of 25,” and the song revealing Clara’s tender persona behind the carefree surfer, down for whatever.”
Between surfing and busking one summer afternoon, Clara shared about her lifelong affinity for Taylor Swift, chasing the waves in Georgia, and the process of recording “summer forever.”
Clara Waidley (CW): I picked up the guitar because I wanted to learn some Taylor Swift songs. Taylor Swift is older than my sister and I, but she sang songs that were literally directed toward young girls and the experience of going to high school. It seemed like she was creating these worlds in her head that she got to live through. She enjoyed writing music as an outlet of some sort, and I was writing in journals at the time, but I guess it hadn’t crossed my mind to write songs before Taylor. Then I was like, ‘I know chords, so let’s see how this goes.’
CW: I recorded this album with the producer Annie Leeth in Athens, Georgia. It was comfortable and exciting because we were on the same page sonically. I sent her a playlist and I was like, “dreamy acoustic alternative grunge;” those words were in my head. That was the vibe. I really resonate with Mazzy Star. Some of the songs we made were really pretty but all of the sudden there’s some grunge guitar thrown in there because it’s such a cool contrast, especially because my voice is softer and I like the contrast of grungier style music.
CW: I’m going to go surf! Laughs I’m scheduled for a week—I know when there’s going to be good waves. Here’s the thing about surfing in Georgia: you can only surf incoming tide, and the waves are terrible most of the time. I plan my whole life around when there’s going to be waves.
If you’re not following Clara’s busking and surfing adventures on her TikTok channel @barefootgurlz, you’re missing out! Get albums, merch, and tour information on her website at clarawaidley.com.
