Rising Star Claire Sully on What it Takes to be a Pop Country Star
Photo courtesy of Claire Sully
Boston native Claire Sully knew at age 8 that she wanted to become a professional singer. At age 10, she started playing the guitar and later the piano, which she plays by ear. With a love for artists like Ashley Tisdale, Lindsay Ell, Maddie & Tae and Britney Spears, Claire began to shape her own sound as a pop country artist. In 2017, she began working with a producer and debuted her original music including the song “All You Had,” written and produced by Jackson Mancuso, and later “Girlfriend,” which she wrote. It was produced by Ric Poulin, manager of Bristol Entertainment Studios in Boston. Now at age 20, Claire’s music has been played on stations like Boston’s 92.5 FM, The River., et al. In June of 2018, she released her first pop country song “A Girl in Nashville,” which was written by Claire and her co-writer Nikki Moore, and produced by Jackson Mancuso, a song that made it on hot country playlists on Spotify. She is currently performing locally at events and doing more collaborations with artists.
Claire say down with BTI to discuss her journey.
BTI: What do you think makes you stand out as an artist?
Claire: I think what has always made me unique and stand out is the fact that I am [multilingual], very passionate and driven. I grew up in Milan, Italy, and have family in Argentina and the U.S., so I am able to speak three languages, and I put those languages in my songs. I am also extremely passionate about what I do. I always take every opportunity that I am given and love a good challenge. I play guitar and piano and overall I think it’s always so important to be open minded about this industry because it is hard and competitive.
BTI: What have the highlights and challenges been during your rise to success?
Claire: I have had such a wild ride with this career. I am no where near the top quite yet, but with the drive and motivation I’ve got, I think it could happen. One of the highlights I had was when I was 16 and entered a songwriting completion in the entire New England Area. The Top 10 contestant’s songs were played on the radio. My song, “Heartbreaker,” got selected and played on the radio, and to me that’s something I still look back at [to] this day and I’m still shocked. One of the challenges with this career, I will admit, is getting told “no.” My parents have always been very supportive, however they are those parents that have their concerns with this industry because it’s got its ups and downs. I think with an open mind, anything is possible. This industry has never been considered a fantasy, I was told it’s a different type of reality.
BTI: What is one thing you wish someone told you before you started working in music?
Claire: One thing I wish people would have told me about is using people. When I was 17 years old and in high school, kids that I never knew started wanting to become my friend because my artist manager had worked with big names in the music industry. You had those kids that were not nice to me because of jealousy and you had the other kids that were fake.
Now as a college student and aspiring artist, I am always watching who’s real and who’s not.
BTI: How have you used your success to bring goodness to the world?
Claire: I have always wanted to tell people my story, my truth and open up to the world about my passion. I sing songs that really make people think, “that Claire girl was so good, I’d see her again, her lyrics were powerful.” I want to be known as a positive influence and inspire people through my lyrics and melodies.
BTI: None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are?
Claire: Yes, my twin sister Ana is a big reason I am doing what I love. She has been through it all with me. She is a dancer and singer too. She is the one that pushed me to continue to perform and follow my dreams. My cousin Kendra is another person who, in my eyes, is another reason I am doing what I love.
I was 13 years old when I did my very first performance in public in the U.S since I moved from Italy. I did an open mic in Burlington, Vermont, at Radio Bean, and since then I perform [whenever] I get the chance. I remember being so nervous at Radio Bean. I was told I was going first. I didn’t eat anything, and my dad was encouraging me to eat a burger and I’d decline [because] of how nervous I was. I [went] up on that little stage that was there and at the end of my set I got a roaring applause. I said “thank you,” ran off and told my dad I could use that burger now.
BTI: What advice can you offer to someone who wants a career in music?
Claire: I think the best advice I can offer is, you have to really want it. I was 13 when I told my parents I wanted to become a singer. I am 20 now, and everyday I am working on my craft and writing as much as possible [and] working with other artists. There will be people in your life that say “this industry is a fantasy,” or “you can’t go to LA because you’re not ready.” This industry is very hard to go into, [and] I’m still trying to break in. I don’t take no for an answer and I work really hard. Take every opportunity NOW. You don’t want to live your life with regrets. It’s important to do as much as you can while you’re young because nowadays, so much can happen. We have YouTube, Instagram, Twitter … social media is your best friend today. Use your platform to showcase your talent and keep growing and practice your craft. I sing every single day downstairs in my basement, and because I do that, my vocals have become stronger and new opportunities pop up all the time.
BTI: Who do you look up to and admire?
Claire: I have so many people I look up to. I look up to my sister so much because she’s always positive and she always keeps me grounded. She has such a great outlook on life and tells me that I can make it as a singer if I keep at it. I look up to Ashley Tisdale too. I was 8 when I saw her in the High School Musical, and then I started watching her documentaries about how she broke into the music industry, and she really inspired me to become a singer.
BTI: What do you want to accomplish in the next year? Are you working on any exciting projects now?
Claire: In the next year I want to have an EP out. I just started working with a new producer and I’m excited because my songs are so catchy. I also have the message of love and following your dreams in [the music]. I think by next year I also want to be making bigger moves in the music industry. I want to start performing in other states other than Massachusetts. I want people to know who I am.