With her latest single 'tssbfy', short for “this song shouldn’t be for you”, shamanic sound weaver and genre-blurring artist Claraty offers a breakup anthem that’s as emotionally layered as it is sonically sleek. Drawing from an eclectic palette of synth-pop, soul, and sacred sound, the track is a release ritual in disguise, transforming the lingering ache of heartbreak into a bold declaration of self-redirection.
Known for fusing ethereal vocals with genre-defying textures, Claraty has carved a space that’s both otherworldly and deeply personal. On 'tssbfy', she delivers biting hooks and electronic flourishes reminiscent of Gracie Abrams or Olivia Rodrigo, but rooted in her own spiritual and musical lineage.
So with the new single out now, we dive deep with Claraty to explore her creative rituals, and how she continues to balance ceremony and catharsis in every note she sings.
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What was the first instrument you fell in love with?
The first instrument I played was the violin at 5 years old. Ironically, the firs t instrument I “fell in love with” was the cello. As a young child I used to flip my violin upside down and pretend that it was a cello because I was so obsessed. Funny thing was I continued to play violin and piano and still to this day have never gotten myself a cello. Not too late though!
What kind of music did you love when you were younger?
When I was in the crib as a baby my mom would play Mozart string quartets with her quartet in our living room. By the time I was 5 or 6 I was able to sing every single part to these string quartets and label which instruments part I was singing. I fell in LOVE with Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and he created my favourite music, as well as being my first crush that I can remember.
After that the first artists that I remember being my favourite artists were Eva Cassidy and Norah Jones. I loved that Eva Cassidy’s story was that she was never picked up by a label because she spanned so many genres that they didn’t know what to do with her. I can relate.
What was the first album you remember owning?
My first album was Spice Girls “Spice World” - even before that actually was a tape cassette called “songs for the inner child” by Shaina Noll.
What is the one song you wished you could have written yourself?
Happier Than Ever by Billie Eilish. I love the simplicity of the intro and the passion that it grows into. The layers and the journey. It’s so epic.
Do you have any habits or rituals you go through when trying to write new music?
My space has to be a perfectly clean temple when I create. I need my house to be a sanctuary, to be showered and clean and ready with a quiet blank slate and nobody around, no distractions. I like incense and candles and to really set a vibe. My writing process is to try to find the most true way to touch on a concept or emotional experience that we all go through. I use a combination of voice memos and a notebook to track what’s happening and I ride it out as long as I can to get the whole thing done in one sitting.
Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?
In my heart these artists are my greatest influence and best friends even if they have no idea who I am: Jacob Collier, Fred Again…, Billie Eilish, Taylor Swift, James Blake. Also in the acrobats world Fireboy DML and Burna Boy. I can pretty much always listen to afrobeats anytime any day.
If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?
Any of the above mentioned artists (Jacob, Fred, Billie, Taylor). Im obsessed with all of them and would be so stoked to play before any of them. Also would be excited to play before Clozee - the most epic female electronic music producer that I know of.
What do you find is the most rewarding part about being a musician?
I love being emotionally tortured and underpaid. HAHA, just kidding. For real, it means everything to me to touch peoples hearts and lives, and to help people feel something they haven’t given themselves permission to feel. I also love the creative process when the creative energy first strikes, and you you’re starting to hit that sweet spot in the studio. The magic is palpable and it feels like the best thing you’ve ever made in your life. That feeling is irreplaceable.
And what is the most frustrating part?
The raw emotional cycle is a lot to hold. To be committed to feeling everything and finding a way to write about everything that I feel is a big devotional process. And sometimes it’s really hard, often it hurts - and most days I have at least one moment of feeling entirely useless, talentless, and hopeless. I’ve learned by now that it’s a part of the creative process, that we all go through it and not to take it seriously. It can really mess with you if you’re not aware of that though.
And what is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?
I read in Victor Wootens “The Music Lesson” about the art of jamming. The concept that you can’t make a mistake because any note is just a half step off from a correct note in the scale. So if I make a “mistake” - to just simply slow down, repeat, and accentuate that mistake and turn it into a purposeful action. This lesson made me take “mistakes” less seriously and realise that there’s no wrong way to do this - except if we freeze and hate on ourselves for not being perfect. None of us are perfect and anything can be turned into a masterpiece with the right mentality.
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Claraty's new single 'tssbfy' is out now. Check it out in the player below.