Claire Mocquard, can you introduce yourself?
I have been a singer and violinist for years. I play with Jean-Charles Guichen group, Tea girl & coffee boy – a swing jazz duo – and also in Acoustic ladyland, a female trio. I’ve been playing Celtic music since I was fourteen. I also started several fest-noz groups.
Why did you decide to go solo under the name Klara Ninn?
The idea of making compositions had been bouncing around in my head for three or four years. I wanted to create a repertoire that brings together all my lives in a single project. I played with a lot of people, I did a lot of projects and I wanted to know who I was musically. After thinking about it, I decided to take the plunge and do everything myself. To compose, I use software and I play all the instruments behind it.
What sounds can we find in your pieces?
I discover it myself as I compose. Most of my life has been dedicated to Breton music, so it came naturally to sing in Breton and make Celtic music. I also added electro to my songs. When I start to compose a song, I first put the vocals on software. Then, I use all possible techniques on the violin to make the accompaniment. I also play the mandolin and keyboard. Finally, I compose all the harmony with bases and electronic drums.
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When do you plan to release your first album?
The whole project is not yet finished. Currently, I have five songs ready. Others will follow during the year and an album release is planned for fall 2025. As I do everything on my own, it’s still quite long. There is between a month and a half and two months of work per piece. I also get help from Elouan Jégat, a musician who has a recording studio. He does the sound processing. A clip has already been released on the Internet. It’s called “Kimiad”, it means “The last goodbye” in Breton. It’s a song I wrote for my mom who passed away.
When will you start performing on stage?
We start the concerts from August. On stage, I will be accompanied by drummer Maxime Kermagoret. We did a residency at An Dour Meur in Plestin-les-Grèves, so far the feedback is all positive. We will be at Attrap’sons, in Chatelaudren-Plouagat, on August 24, and at the Penmarc’h Sardine Festival on August 13. It will be a complete discovery for me.
