W/ Rachel June
The haunting yet vixen-like vocals of Fi McCluskey, accompanied by violin and intriguing beats, feature in her recent music video ‘SCREAM’. A blend of psychedelic trip-hop and alternative pop rock, the vintage and colourful music video is available to watch here. Read more about Fi below:
1. Who is Fi McCluksey?
I am an Irish/British singer songwriter, born in the bright lights of Dagenham in the 80’s. I’m the daughter of Irish immigrant parents; a mix of Dublin and Essex. A Pint of Guinness with your Pie‘n’Mash.
2. For someone that is yet to discover you, how would you describe your music?
My music is a mix of Trip Hop and Psych, peppered with Folk. I am a huge fan of surrealism; I feel this love for surrealism carries through into my work. I like to take people by the hand and invite them down the fantastical garden path. Full of twists and turns, my music would be the perfect soundtrack to your fever dream.
3. What inspired you as an artist?
I’m intrigued by our very existence on Planet Earth.
Who was the first person to think of eating an egg for example, not to mention all the ways in which we can prepare them?
To quote the great Jack Dawson from Titanic, ‘Just the other night I was sleeping under a bridge, and now I am on the greatest ship in the world, having champagne with you fine people’ (granted it didn’t end well for him). But I haven’t let that stop me from seeking out adventure, and seeing things against the grain. Artists do tend to have a heightened sense of sensitivity, we have the ability to channel this sensibility into our work, and in turn, transform this into a tangible medium.
4. What Is Your Pre-Show Routine?
The way I would describe performing live, it’s like being in an extremely intense, fiery, passionate relationship, with somebody who you just can’t get enough of. It’s exciting and scary, a beautiful whirlwind that makes you feel alive.
I’m usually a total bag of nerves before I perform, as a lot of blood sweat and tears goes into creating. Not only the show itself, but the body of work you are about to perform. Each track that you have written is a part of you, a part of your soul, you have a deep emotional connection to your work. So, when it’s show time, there’s anticipation in the air.
I try to get into the zone, ready to transfer my love and energy into the room. Music is of course subjective, but the feeling, the feeling must be there. I warm up my vocals and then warm up some more, and again, and again and again. I have been known to clear out a dressing room or two with my endless lip rolls.
I like my voice to be nice and warm and supple, ready for action. The icing on the cake is a large cheeky shot of whiskey, just before I go on stage.
Only the one, or things can go south very quickly. I definitely learnt that the hard way…
5. Where do you feel you fit into the music landscape?
My music is very expressive and open. I like to be as evocative as possible. There’s a courageousness to be found within vulnerability, that itself should be a paradox, but it isn’t. I find the complexity of the human condition fascinating.
The transportive power music possesses, it’s liberating, as the possibilities are endless. Throw the rule book out of the window would be my advice, if it sounds good to you go for it. It’s a safe bet to say I enjoy playing in the leftfield, as it’s far more fun.
6. What are your favorite musical genres, and are there any you dislike?
A great song is a great song, whether that’s trip hop, classical, blues, soul, rock, pop, acid house or country. It’s all mood food! However, whatever the genre, I’m drawn to raw honesty. It has to have a soul.
If I think about my favorite tracks to play when I’m on an aeroplane as it’s taking off, for example, one track that springs to mind is ‘Vad Hände Med Dem?’ by The Brian Jonestown Massacre. It’s a tune, the hook is naughty, with buckets and buckets of let’s get the fuck out of here energy and let’s ‘ave it!
Any medium of art that lacks soul or authenticity, I find mind-numbingly boring and completely pointless.
It’s why AI generated art is a mockery of what it means to be human, not to mention the straight up theft and plagiarism. Big tech companies are getting away with this… For now, at least…..
7. What would you say is your greatest strength as an artist?
When I think back to the first time I heard ‘Zombie’ by ‘The Cranberries’ I can remember every tiny detail about that moment, as if it was yesterday. I thought to myself ‘Wow what is this’? It resonated with me viscerally.
From the heavy bassline to the thumping kick drum, the frequency of Dolores O’Riordan’s voice, it was like hearing truth for the first time.
I felt my whole world open, in that moment something was ignited deep inside me.
OK world, she gets it, whatever it is. I want to make sense of it, I want to roll around in it, I want to embrace it, hate it, love it, run away from it, re-discover it, scream in its face and then do it all over again. I knew at that moment I had a need to create.
My curiosity for the world has remained present in my psyche and at the forefront of my existence.
8. What would you say is your greatest weakness as an artist?
That voice inside your head that says you are not good enough; you are not enough. You have to move out of your own way sometimes. Turn on the sod it lights and go for it. What’s the worst thing that can happen…..
9. What music artists would you say have influenced your work?
I grew up in the 90’s, bands like Massive Attack, Portishead, The Cranberries, artists like Bjork, Annie Lennox and Patti Smith have been a huge influence to me, and still are today. The 90’s also saw girl power explode, I was a huge fan of The Spice Girls. They were pretty punk.
I got to ask them a question once on morning TV. That was the best day ever…. It’s a shame Geri turned into a tory, but I guess you can’t have it all….
10. Who would you most like to collaborate with artistically?
Patti Smith, maybe if I keep putting it out into the universe. What an extraordinary human. If only Patti Smith ran the world. If you do ever get the chance to see her live, go and then go again. Hands down one of the greatest artists I have ever seen perform. You feel like you have been in the presence of a shaman or a high priestess. She is truly magical.
11. Worst performance?
Live shows are always an experience. You earn your stripes on the field so to speak. All you can do is roll with it. This business isn’t for the fainthearted. I had a woman heckle me once as I walked on stage; ‘look at her, she thinks she’s Russell Brand the c*nt’. To be fair to her I was wearing winklepickers with extremely back-combed hair. Let’s just say It wasn’t the best start to a show.
12. Biggest obstacle & how did you overcome it?
It’s easy to get weighed down by the smoke and mirrors of today’s society. Particularly now in the digital age, it’s extremely toxic. Really try to dig deep, focus on your own work and wellbeing. Keep making the work for yourself. All the other crap doesn’t matter in the grand scheme of things. Feed your soul and keep on feeding it.
13. What is your creative process when making music? Do you work with others or is it just you?
I love to jam with my band. Give me a repetitive heavy bassline any day. I enjoy entering a hypnotic type of state and letting it flow. Melodies pop into my head as I freestyle lyrics. I record these sessions and then listen back for any nuggets of gold and build from there. I also enjoy sitting down with my acoustic guitar and a coffee and getting to work.
For example, I wrote ‘Empty Space’ after my ex and I separated, everything was packed up. Years of a life we had built together, gone.
He was going his way, and I was going my way. I sat in the middle of the room, on the floor in our now completely empty bedroom, picked up my guitar and it just flew out of me.
Every time I sing that song I think of that moment.
Broken hearts really do heal, I am happy to report.
14. This year, what can we expect?
I am back in the studio working on my next EP, with some very exciting collaborators, (Patti if you’re reading this call me). I am building the live show, exploring strings and horns in particular, to add an element of dissonance and discord. Peppered with theatrical moments, I will be leaning into surrealist beauty. ‘Save us a seat at the table Alice, we are on our way’.
