Sometimes we pay more attention to what others are saying about us than actually who we are, and we end up getting lost in their noise. However, some people eventually can connect with their true self like Toronto-based musician Holly Clausius, thanks to music. Her social change single ‘Big Plans’ placed second in the Cross Canada Artist For Social Change competition in February 2021. This song focuses on marginalized youth and individuals who have been outcasted in society. She dedicated the song to those who felt isolated and pressured not to be their authentic self. Also, she wanted to take the idea of a tour indoors, with opening acts from people's kitchens, bathrooms, and bedrooms, making it a virtual apartment-wide tour to raise funds for Black Lives Matter Toronto. We talked to Holly Clausius about her latest album, BLM, the queer music industry, and more. Check out our interview below to find out more about Holly Clausius.

Where are you based?
I’m based in Toronto, Canada. Originally from a small town called Exeter, ON.

How did you get interested in music?
I was always interested in performing, whether it was little skits, singing, or dancing as a kid. I got into music mostly through watching Disney movies like The Little Mermaid and Beauty and The Beast, that kind of thing.

How would you describe your style?
I would describe my musical style as ever-changing. I like to keep an open mind with genre, and I enjoy that different people can hear the folk/country side, while others hear the pop/rock inspiration in my songs. Right now, I would say I fall into folk-pop with hints of soul.

Can you tell us a little bit about “Big Plans” and what inspired the song?”
Big Plans is a social change ballad written for the Cross Canada Artist For Social Competition in February this year. I was inspired by the different unsustainable living goals, and I tried to write a song that fit as many of them as possible.

Congrats! ‘Big Plans’ placed 2nd in the Cross Canada Artist For Social Change competition in February 2021. You dedicated the song to those who felt isolated and pressured not to be their authentic self. Have you ever felt this way? How did this song help you?
Thank you! I have definitely had times where I felt like I couldn’t be my authentic self. I was bullied relentlessly growing up, and I tried to make myself small so that others wouldn’t notice me. I think music and this song specifically has helped me connect with others who also feel this way, and let them know they’re not alone. Music is where I feel safest to be my true self, and so Big Plans is a great example of not backing down and owning who you are.

Big Plans’ music video has intense feelings and vulnerability. How was the creating process?
This music video was very important to me because I wanted to showcase three different topics through makeup/props/emotion in my lip sync. One, being a bisexual women and the issues I’ve combatted even within the community. Two, being the environment and global warming/oil spills that are happening. And three, being the Black Lives Matter movement, including the injustices of police brutality and marches that happened last year. Creating this video with little to no budget was challenging, but I think the message came across clearly, and we put our hearts into it.

We also loved your song 'Sunflower' and its message! So who is the 'sunflower' exactly and what's the backstory of this song?
Thank you so much. Sunflower is a song dedicated to my late friend, Scott. Every year on the anniversary of his death I have wanted to write him a song, but I felt blocked and would just breakdown even thinking about it. One year, I decided to try and write to something as simple as a Sunflower instead, and use that as a symbol as to what I wish I could’ve said to him. He struggled with depression and I, myself, have also struggled greatly in the past. This song, as light-hearted as it may seem, is a very important message to not give up on yourself, because it does get better.

You also have a new song coming out, “Clementine”, can you tell us a bit about this new song?
Yes, Clementine is a tune about having an elementary school crush and wanting to ask a girl to dance. Something I never got to do in my small town of four thousand people. If a song like this was in the mainstream when I was a kid, I think coming out would have been a lot easier. So, I decided to write it for all the little queer pre-teens out there.

We heard that you did an apartment-wide tour to raise funds for Black Lives Matter Toronto. Can you explain this project to us?
So before the pandemic I was scheduled to do a cross Canada tour for my EP Sunflower. Once covid hit, it was cancelled, and with everything happening in the media about George Floyd, I knew I had to do something. I wanted to take the idea of a tour indoors, with opening acts from their kitchens, bathrooms, bedrooms, etc. and it make it virtual. We added the option for the openers to choose their own charities or to make it out to Black Lives Matter Toronto. We ended up raising over $200 for BLMTO.

You also partnered with True North Aid. Can you tell us a bit about this experience?
TrueNorthAid is another great organization, along with countless others, that the openers donated their pay too. I have also donated previously; so, I knew this was a great organization to support and I am so grateful to have put on this show with such talented, giving artists.

Photography Credit: @dmyoung.photography

In the current music industry, especially, producers have chosen to work with white, heterosexual, and cis-gendered people; therefore, queer women in popular music are variously misrepresented or being objectified. As a queer musician, what do you think about the LGBTQ+ representation and activism in the music industry? How would you like to see it change?
It’s true that producers, songwriters, and majority of the music industry is dominated by cis white men. I would love to see that change, as majority of my favourite songwriters and people I’ve worked with in Toronto are queer women. There needs to be more representation, people need to see themselves in the industry or else this cycle will continue. I think if more funding and opportunities are given to women and the LGBTQ+ community, we will see a lot of positive change.

Can you tell us a little bit about your upcoming album Rose Garden?
Rose Garden is a 10-track LP all about different kinds of love and fixations including friendship, romance, family, nature, addictions, mental health and more. Honesty is the main theme of this album, there is a song for everyone and the genre, again, is not set in one place. There’s an influence of rock, country, pop and soul, making this album exciting. You never really know what you’re going to get on the next song.

How are you staying positive during a shelter in place? Are you back to normal?
It is hard to stay positive a lot of the time. I will admit this pandemic has really taken a toll on my mental health. “Normal” will never be the same for me, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. I think we all have changed over the past couple years and, for me, it has been a positive change — really taking that break to rest and focus on what is important in my life. While shows start popping up again, I’m learning to appreciate them a lot more, along with the people in my life.

What is your motto in life?
I don’t necessarily have a motto, but I would say that as tough as life may get, it’s always worth pushing through to see what’s on the other side. I also like to think of ten year old Holly, and how proud she would be with where I’m at today.

To learn more about Holly Clausius, please follow her via the below platforms:
https://www.hollyclausius.com/
Facebook: @hollyclausiusmusic
Instagram: @hollyclausius
YouTube: Holly Clausius
Spotify: @hollyclausius
Apple Music: @holly-clausius
https://hollyclausius.bandcamp.com/

Holly Clausius: Exploring The Transformative Power Of Music