Clara Hannigan shares first music video

Clara Hannigan is a name that’s steadily gaining recognition in the New York City music scene. Originally hailing from Maine, Clara’s musical journey began in a household where the sounds of jazz and blues legends like James Booker, Ray Charles and Fats Waller were the backdrop of her childhood. By the age of 10, she was already singing, playing piano and performing, taking the first steps on a lifelong passion for music.

As she grew older, she found inspiration in the music of Amy Winehouse, Erykah Badu, Billie Holiday, SZA and Janis Joplin, influences that would later shape her own sound, a blend of jazz, soul and modern R&B. When Clara moved to New York City four years ago, she made the decision to fully immerse herself in her music. The city’s energy and rich artistic community offered the perfect environment for her to refine her sonic vision.

Clara dedicated her time to writing, experimenting with her sound and collaborating with other musicians, leading to opportunities to perform at iconic venues such as Rockwood Music Hall, The Sultan Room and Littlefield. Her dedication paid off early in her career when her collaboration on the track “Euphoria and Nosebleeds” with Piché unexpectedly went viral, clocking nearly 1.2 million streams on Spotify. This success was a turning point, confirming Clara’s decision to pursue music full-time and propelling her further into the sonic world.

Now, Clara Hannigan is back with her latest single, “Parentheses,” a track that highlights her growth as an artist as well as marking the release of her first music video. “Parentheses” is a song that distils Clara’s belief in music as a tool for authenticity and connection via a poignant exploration of emotional vulnerability, wrapped in a smooth, soulful sound that showcases her expressive voice.

Kicked off by the snap of drums, a downtempo beat and pulsing bass lines underpin her stunning vocals that thread delicate melodies carrying profound lyricism. Flowing with airy guitar touches as Clara’s silky voice glides beautifully above, the track delivers a dazzling slice of her pop-focused, jazz-inflected R&B style.

With her first music video for the single, she serves up a visually striking piece that reflects the song’s themes of reflection and the unspoken nuances in relationships. Featuring Clara preparing for a show and performing on stage with a band, the video presents a blend of vintage and modern feel to offer an engaging visual pairing for her superb new single.

Commenting on the single, she offers, “It’s really important for me to be intentional with each project that I do as it represents me, my life, and my journey as an artist. Self-expression is a gift that’s not lost on me, and I’m always hungry to create more, explore new genres, and continue to grow. I want to stay as authentic as possible, and I think people can tell when someone is being genuine and earnest. Music is something where we can share experiences and find community, it makes us feel less alone. When I make music and express myself, it also helps me feel more connected to the world around me.”

Listen to Parentheses below

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