Interview with Clio

by Sara McDowell

Hitting the Philly and New York scene, the infectious rock 'n' roll band, Clio, is sure to make waves with it's tight sound and sensitive lyrics. Dreams Awake chatted with vocalist and guitarist Jason Hammonds of Clio in late April about the release of the band's debut EP "Letting Go." See what Hammonds, the confessional songwriter behind the moving six tracks has to say about dealing with the past, his dream concert and who the hottest female rock star is.

Dreams Awake: "Letting Go" is an emotionally packed EP. Is it hard to go back to those places, those times and relive those emotions?

Jason Hammonds: Actually, no. It's like flipping a switch -- all too easy, sometimes, I'm afraid.

DA: Does that ever bring you down or does it help you to deal with your past?

JH: Well, the past is precisely what it is -- the past, so it can never change. How it makes me feel depends on when and how I remember it.

DA: The CD and website state that the EP is a "historical account of the last five years of lyrics and life stories." How much of the past five years would you change if you had the chance?

JH: I would take it back if I could. Start them over. But I cannot regret anything and have learned to listen to all those voices in my past. Some good songs, at the very least, came from that time in my life.

DA: "Listen," "Heal Alone," and "Let it Go" seem to be very personal, soul baring songs. Do you have a hard time with revealing these pieces of yourself?

JH: Writing and singing are the only ways that I truly communicate my deeper feelings to people. I only have a few friends and family that I discuss that stuff with. But music has always seemed to allow me to publicly vent it. Good therapy, I think.

DA: On "Let the Music Play" you sing "Let the music play ... let it carry you away." In what ways does music move you and take you to another place?

JH: Well, "Let the Music Play" is the one song of release. And I like that it turned out to be the intro track. It's really the one song that says 'drop all the drama'; raise your arms in a 'V'; and just shout freedom. Not as in political or religious freedoms -- just being free from yourself and your own head issues, more or less. That song really set the tone for my change of posture on the past 5 years.

DA: What do you think ultimately changed your outlook on things? JH: Well, since it fluctuates from day to day, I don't think that I could pinpoint any one thing. Some days I still dwell on certain things. Some days I'm beyond it. DA: The first time I listened to the emotional track, "Let it Go" I cried. What were you thinking when you wrote that song? What state of mind were you in? JH: Actually the song went through quite a process. Joe and Chad wrote this killer musical track. Chad just laid down melody lines over Joe's guitar -- humming to it most of the time. And when I got it I kept his melodies and wrote one verse that dealt with the duality of us all. (The second verse). We played it out many times, just singing that verse twice. Then before recording, Joe wanted to have another half to it. So it just hit me one night, at the coffee shop, and out came the first verse, which really sets the whole tone and story of the song. And once that came out, and I got home and sang it for the first time ... man, I had these really cool goose bumps, like I knew that it was finally complete ... and basically summarized those five years into a six minute song. DA: How do you know when a song is complete was going to be my next question but perhaps the answer is when you get goose bumps? Hehe. JH: Nah, it's different for each. And sometimes they just never are in my opinion. Some days, I'll take these melodic tunes and play them like punk songs or metal songs. It's a lot of fun to experiment.

DA: So how would you describe Clio's sound on this EP?

JH: Clio as Chad, Joe and I is the sound on the EP. But we each have such different tastes. Funny how it boils down to a collective sound. I really think we came out of the recording process with a vibrant, melodic tone, in general. From start to finish it's definitely very moody. And I did not want to have such an overproduction in the end. I was very pleased with the end result. I'm looking forward to moving past the "letting go" mood though, and getting into a little more of a progressive melodic rock 'thing' very soon.

DA: Are you working on any new songs?

JH: Yeah, we have some tunes that we wrote six months ago that we're just getting a chance to get into and iron out. Plus some newer material that I've recorded acoustically, that we'll put the rock edge on soon, hopefully.

DA: So how does the process break down? Who does what? Do you write all the lyrics, etc?

JH: On this EP I wrote all the lyrics. The simplest way that it happens is that I write the song/music/lyrics in its simplest form. Then I hand it over to Joe, who adds his brilliance musically (and you have to trust someone a lot to hand over your 'children' like that). Then Chad and I work out vocal harmonies and changes afterwards. However, this isn't the catch-all case. Joe has tons of music just waiting for me to get my hands on as well. And so does Chad.

DA: How did you get involved with music? JH: My father plays the guitar. My mother plays the piano. Although, I never really learned a ton from either but it was nice to have it there. Both of my grandfathers play guitar. I wanted to be a drummer (still do). So I was a metal head guitar player in high school and played in high school talent shows, etc. Everybody seemed to dig the stuff so I just got addicted to doing it. Funny how I turned out to be a melodic songwriter. I still love the metal though! DA: Did you ever take any lessons? JH: No, I have never taken a lesson on any instrument. I definitely should! DA: When did you begin playing guitar? JH: I was 13. I still have my first guitar -- an Epiphone Spotlight Series. And it's still one of my favorites to play. DA: Was it a gift? JH: No. I bought that sucker. My parents gave me chores to do to earn the money to buy it.

DA: Who are your biggest musical influences?

JH: Megadeth. Duncan Sheik.

DA: How did you come up with the name Clio?

JH: I ran across the name Clio for the first time in a book called "Quo Vadis." Clio is referenced as an ancient Greek Muse of History. I fell in love with the concept and had to wait two years before I actually had my own band to use the name.

DA: What is the first record you ever bought?

JH: You know, I cannot remember ... but I think it might have been a Suicidal Tendencies record.

DA: Do you have a favorite album of all time?

JH: Alice 'n' Chains -- "DIRT".

DA: Is there any music out there that you truly despise?

JH: To be honest ... no, I don't really despise anything. Many types I do not listen to of course -- mostly radio junk. The only thing that I really don't like are artists who aren't into writing their own music.

DA: What have you been currently listening to?

JH: Massive Attack's new one -- "100th Window," Aphex Twin, Nonpoint, and Sinead O'Connor.

DA: Your band plays around the Philly and New York area. How long have you been playing shows? JH: I've been playing shows since high school ... talent shows, competitions, etc. I guess I was 16 or 17 when all that began. In college it took on a broader sense. Then when I moved from Detroit to Philly in 2001, the fun really began. DA: Which do you prefer -- performing live or recording? JH: Performing ... hands down. Recording is something that I enjoy ... but ultimately, it's something I do so I CAN perform live. DA: What do you think about when performing in front of an audience? JH: A lot of times my eyes are closed and I'm in the moment that the song takes me. Most of my stuff is moody and 'moment driven' like that. So I just find that spot that I familiar with. In between songs I'm usually cracking jokes on stage or interacting with the crowd. DA: Where is your favorite place to play? JH: My favorite spot to play is at the Living Room in NYC. It's a small, cool little acoustic club, where the people come to LISTEN ... and its generally standing room only.

DA: Where would you most like to play?

JH: I'd like to play intimate venues in theatres across the country and even overseas. I'm not much into the arena scene but, of course, I'd try that too, if I could.

DA: What musicians do you admire and for what reasons?

JH: Dave Mustaine ... for his ruthless ambition in spite of all his early-on-band-issues with Metallica/Megadeth. Jeff Buckley for giving all that he had in his short life. Trent Reznor, because he's one of the most creative artists I've ever seen ... and I don't even listen to NIN.

DA: If you could put together a dream concert, who would be on the bill?

JH: Probably go something like Alana Davis, Alice 'n' Chains, Muse, Buckley, Depeche Mode, Pantera, Megadeth and Dream Theater.

DA: Hottest female rocker?

JH: Sinead O'Connor.

DA: What goals do you have for yourself and the band?

JH: Personally, I just want to continue making music on a level that reaches SOME audience. As for the band, I'd like to get to the point where we are ready and able to tour the US or even Europe.

DA: Where would you like to see yourself in five years?

JH: I have no idea.

DA: What's the most valuable lesson you've ever learned?

JH: Same old cliché. That you don't know what you've got, until it's gone. So I've tried to look forward more than look back nowadays.

DA: What are your strengths and weaknesses as a musician?

JH: My weakness would be that I love playing many instruments ... mostly the drums. And that distracts me from ever becoming really really good at the guitar. On the contrary, I think it's also a strength because I can adapt in any environment ... I understand all facets of music better ... rhythms, harmonies, accompaniments ... etc.

DA: What do you think is the secret of success?

JH: I don't think there is a secret.

DA: Describe yourself in three words.

JH: Someone still learning.

For more information on Clio, visit their website at www.cliomusic.com.