Stacy Clark is a local Orange County musician who you’ve probably heard, but didn’t realize you were hearing. She had a standout performance on Jack’s Mannequin’s latest release, “The Glass Passenger.” Also, her album “Apples & Oranges” is full of pop gems that once it starts playing, can’t be turned off and places a permanent smile on the listeners’ face. And she hasn’t slowed down a bit; in fact, she’s putting the finishing touches on a new album she plans to release sometime early next year. Despite the inevitable comparisons to other talented female songwriters such as Zooey Deschanel and Imogen Heap, Stacy Clark has a style all her own and an ambition that pretty much guarantees the next time you listen to her, you’ll know who Stacy Clark is.

Billy Davis: Please tell us about yourself and what your music means to you.  When did you become interested in doing music as a career and what steps did you take to see that this dream came to fruition?

Stacy Clark: I grew up in Buffalo, NY playing in the folk scene in 1995. I have always enjoyed writing poems and singing, but also wasn’t sure that I wanted to be a singer until I saw Sarah McLachlan and Tori Amos perform. After seeing them, I knew that was what I wanted to do. It has been a long road and a lot of work since. I worked at a local record store, saved up money then made my first big purchase – a $150.00 Ibanez acoustic guitar. I got song books and taught myself, then started gigging playing 4 shows a week while in high school. I even started a folk choir band at church. I couldn’t get enough music. I was in every choir group, went to every concert (the selection of bands touring in Buffalo is a lot smaller then Orange County!). I signed up for an internship with a recording studio and learned the basics. After I wrote songs, I looked in a paper where there open mics and went to two in my first night. I randomly picked the best two to go on a Monday night at Stimulance Coffeehouse (which is no longer around) and Nietschiz. It was there I met Mike Meldrum (Righteous Babe artist, and mentor to Ani DiFranco & Susane Vega). He taught me a lot about booking gigs and introduced me to many amazing folk artists. I was very fortunate to have so much encouragement and the foundation that I received. Buffalo is filled with many talented artists, I was lucky to be around them. I did a few national tours, got my degree in Art and decided to move out to California to pursue my dream of doing music. I worked many different jobs to pay the bills and fund my record “Apples & Oranges”. With a lot of hard work and little luck, I got a record deal in September. I have been touring, recording demos and writing since. Music means everything to me. Music is my life. It has helped me through some of the toughest and greatest moments of my life. Its only natural that I want to give that back to someone else.

BD: How long have you been singing? What instruments do you play?

SC: I started singing before I was born. Just kidding, however I did sing in the elementary school choir. I play guitar, piano, clarinet, african drums and kazoo. I put the last one in because I am trying to impress you.

BD: You’ve toured with some amazing artists and even did a few collaborations with Andrew McMahon of Jack’s Mannequin on his latest album, “The Glass Passenger.” First off, what’s it like to be given such amazing opportunities to do what you love, and with such great artists.  Also, how did the Jack’s Mannequin collaboration come together and what was that like?

SC: Its amazing to perform and collaborate with artists I admire. Those are opportunities I do not take for granted. I met Andrew a few years ago, opened for him a few times and he asked me to sing on his record. I asked him if he was sure, I didn’t want to mess it up. Lucky for us both, it worked out. He was going for a Fleetwood Mac vibe and that is my favorite band. It was an amazing experience tracking in the same studio Fleetwood Mac recorded ‘Rumors’ at. I am very thankful for his friendship. He is so incredibly talented and without a doubt one of the smartest, nicest people I have met.

BD: Your music tends to cover a lot of ground stylistically, ranging from electronic to pop to rock. What are your influences to create such a varied and interesting sound?

SC: I love a lot of different styles of music. Everything from folk, indie rock, punk, hip hop, pop, hardcore, ska, reggae, country, to the classics. Although I listen to a lot different music, when I create my music I try to have the songs just develop for themselves. “Apples & Oranges” was greatly affected by my producer Ian Kirkpatrick. I wrote all the songs/lyrics and had ideals on the production, but he really took it to another level.

BD: What is your songwriting process like? Where do you look for inspiration? Any themes within the music or lyrics to speak of?

SC: I have many songwriting processes – sometimes it comes out like verbal vomit. Blah, and its done. Other times, its a process. I will write lyrics first, or melody first or the guitar. It depends what mood I am in, and what instrument I am next to. I don’t really need to look for inspiration because there is so much around me (including the lives of my friends and current politics) that influence me. There are many different things, but rather then tell you about them I just want listeners to get whatever they can from the songs. I don’t want to ruin it if I wrote it about one thing, and a listener gets something completey different. Some of my songs are like a choose your own adventure book. You can decide what they mean to you.

BD: How has your music progressed since you first began playing it?

SC: Well I must say that it has progressed a lot. I started as folk artist. I had a lot of phases musically- indie rock, punk, rock and pop. Due to the many phases of what I was listening to, I learned a lot of different styles. At the end of the day my music is really about the song. Everything else is determined around that.

BD: What advice do you have for young singers and musicians?

SC: If you’re passionate and love doing music, then go for it. Take the time to practice and learn your craft. Life is short and you should be following your dreams. With that said, always have a back up plan. Chances are you are not going to make a lot of money (if any) at first, so its smart to have a job to fund your passions in life. If music is a career you would like to pursue, be ready for a lot of rejection. There are a lot of ups and downs. A LOT of them. Stay positive and work hard. If its meant to be, it will happen.

BD: Are you currently signed to a label? What type? If so, what has your experience been like working with them?

SC: I got signed to a boutique label Shangrila Music in September. Being on a label is like being in a relationship. At first your really excited. Then your not sure how its going to go. Then you try to make it work by doing your best and hoping for the best. I am working hard on a new record and hoping for the best.

BD: Any big plans for the future? Any show dates?

SC: You’ll just have to wait and see! I have some fall show dates listed and will be doing a lot of touring nationally. You can get more information at www.stacyclark.net or www.myspace.com/stacyclark

Stacy is playing a few shows coming up in and around Orange County, so be sure to give her a listen and make your presence known at the shows.  She will be playing at Chain Reaction in Anaheim, CA on September 3, 2009 with Mike Herrera of MxPx as well as a free show in Tustin on September 11, 2009. Let her know you heard about her from OCAC and I’m sure she’ll be happy as pie and might even sing—okay so she’s a musician, she’ll be singing nonetheless—a few songs for you.