FLO CLEMENTINE
WHERE DO YOU COME FROM?
I was born and grew up in London.
WHERE IS HOME NOW? WHERE HAS HOME BEEN?
London, Paris and California.
WHAT ARE YOU CURRENTLY WORKING ON?
I am currently making new music, creating and being a parent with my boyfriend. Growing, learning and working out the world with our son. Taking photographs and always finding new ways to work.
WHAT DOES ART DO FOR YOU?
Have strength through vulnerability, be empathetic, finish and start something. It helps me understand and express the nameless things.
WHAT DOES YOUR DAILY ROUTINE LOOK LIKE? DO YOU HAVE ANY HABITS?
I used to have more of a routine but these days my mind and being a mother works best when things are spontaneous... as life is. So I try not to be too rigid or fixed but generally my aim is to create at least one thing that I'm happy with a day... whether that's a new idea for a song, finishing an old poem, making a meal for our family, taking a simple photo, or putting a smile on my son’s face. Little things seem huge now in motherhood, it's a whole new world - patience and listening are the mottos.
I meditate twice a day but that is harder now with a 3 month old! Though it is what I always return to amidst the day to day and overwhelm that is quite common in a city. I love to walk most afternoons and drink / eat chocolate to get in the mood, hah!
WHAT HAS LOVE MADE YOU CAPABLE OF DOING?
It's made me capable full stop! I feel complete giving to another human being… it serves me much more than living life alone. Love sustains and reveals everything - it is a true mirror, the best and hardest practice, devote yourself entirely to it.
CITE THREE FEMALE ARTISTS YOU ADMIRE.
Alice Coltrane
Jane Birkin
Anaïs Nin
A BOOK?
A Good Time To Be a Girl by Helena Morrissey.
I just finished Revelations of Divine Love by Julian of Norwich (the first writer in English who can be identified as a woman)
CITE SOME SONGS THAT WOULD BE ON YOUR FAVORITE PLAYLIST?
HOW DO YOU THINK SOCIAL MEDIA IS CHANGING THE ART WORLD? DO YOU THINK ITS BECOME A USEFUL TOOL FOR ARTISTS?
It has completely shifted what it means to "be an artist" – there’s a need for instant gratification and a strange ability for us all to share anything we do at our fingertips. There is something sad about this in that art loses its sacredness and personal private nature but like anything we can use it for good or bad and take what we want from it. I have met so many likeminded people, some friends and collaborators via social media and for that I'm grateful and see its wonder. It's funny that people can get their “big break" off of a post on Instagram or how many followers they have for brands, directors etc... it's exciting albeit fickle! I try to be nuanced about social media and know that it does not define me or my art. At the end of the day it's just a vehicle rather than the destination we are hoping to end up at!
DEFINE WHAT HAPPINESS IS TO YOU.
The acceptance of whatever is. Not trying to grasp anything, singing, making people happy makes me happy, expressing your true nature.
WHAT KIND OF THINGS WOULD EXIST IN YOUR IDEAL UTOPIA?
My family, an abundance of time to make our music, enjoy the sunshine, share good food, less need for phones, simpler living but not running away, longer walks, deep friends, just a kiss.
HOW DOES PLAYING A FESTIVAL DIFFER TO PLAYING A SHOW?
My first album was more of an intimate affair, so I found playing some festivals harder as it's often open spaces and audiences that want to move, but I have been lucky and played stunning ones in the UK - like Green Man and End of the Road. I’m looking forward to going further afield soon! My experience of Glastonbury was lovely too... the sun was surprisingly shining, and people emerged tired from their tents to hear us play at 11am... my own shows are more personal and curated to that specific place, day and audience... we are having a very momentary experience together, it's easier to open up when you listen to each other.
IF YOU COULD ONLY PLAY ONE INSTRUMENT FOR THE REST OF YOUR DAYS, WHICH WOULD IT BE?
I think I'd be content with my voice as the one instrument. I play piano and guitar as accompaniment and in order to write better, although I love doing so I think I'd be okay without them.
IS THERE A CERTAIN TIME OF DAY/PLACE WHERE YOU FIND CREATING MUSIC COMES MORE FREELY?
Creating happens differently every day, I have more energy first thing but like to use the mornings to centre myself and do any chores and mundane things to allow the rest of the day space for any other excitements. I'm learning we've got to do the boring stuff in order for the other experiences to come - that's often where my biggest lessons are - in the ordinary day to day and consequently they make us stronger in our creativity.
