Switzerland-born and London-based independent singer-songwriter Claudy is making her way through the crowds, finding her unique voice and embracing imperfections. In her latest release, the single “Anxiety,” it’s a personal journey of acknowledging what she calls her “negative inner monologue” and finding self-compassion as an overthinker. The track’s upbeat and catchy nature, in juxtaposition with the introspective and personal lyrics, was a well-planned move from Claudy, which translates to the single’s sonic experience, conveying the idea that human appearances can, sometimes, be deceiving.

Claudy’s vocals are sharp, powerful, and in perfect synergy with the tune’s pop flair. “The song aims to shed light on the hidden struggles people face, portraying the idea that behind the brave faces lie deeper complexities,” she shares. “It reminds us never to underestimate what others might be going through, even if they seem fine. Happiness and anxiety can coexist, and the song promotes empathy for those silently battling their inner demons.”

Here, we connected with Claudy to discuss her journey of writing and producing the track, her musical upbringing, and what’s next in her career.

Listen to the single…

Read the full interview…

Congratulations on your new single! Can you tell us a bit about the track and the story behind it?
I actually found the beat for “Anxiety” on a website called BeatStar. Even though it’s quite a lively & upbeat track, the first thing that came to mind upon finding it was to write about anxiety. The amount of times I’ve had people tell me they would never guess how much worrying I do, based on how I don’t let it show, has always surprised me. I wanted to illustrate that concept with this song. If you don’t really pay attention to the lyrics, it might just seem like another chill summer song. But the same goes with people. Some people might seem okay from the outside and silently go through it on the inside.

How did you first get into music, and who were your earliest influences?
As far as I can remember, I’ve always been singing. But I started singing lessons at the age of 7 and started playing guitar at the age of 12, which is when I started songwriting. Over the years, music & writing became a safe place for me to vent & express myself.

I’m Swiss & Turkish and growing up in a multicultural family came with a broad music taste & embracing all music genres; from pop to jazz, from country to rock’n’roll, from Beyoncé to ABBA, from Black Eyed Peas to Frank Sinatra. I was always curious to extend my music taste even if the songs I wrote sounded more pop than anything else. But as long as we could dance, belt at the top of our lungs, cry or groove to it, you can be sure it was playing in our house.

My parents brought me up to believe that I could do whatever I set my mind to. Hard work & dedication are prerequisites in anything you do, especially in things you love. They were always supportive of me pursuing my dreams. Without their support, I’m not sure I would have had the self-belief to do so.

How do you approach the creative process when writing and producing your music?
I’d say my process is mostly based on emotion. I have little music theory in my pocket, but it allows me to be explorative with melodies & songs, to evaluate them as a listener and not confine myself to what is correct on paper. I’ve recently gone back to learning piano which helps with getting more ideas down. Especially with finding melodies. It’s different than guitar, visually speaking as well. I usually always find chord progressions & melodies first or concepts I want to write about, and then dive into lyrics. When writing with other people, there’s never one way to go about it, but it’s what makes the process fun.

Can you share a pivotal moment in your career that you think helped shape who you are as an artist today?
As a songwriter, the first time I saw someone get emotional listening to one of my songs will forever be ingrained in my mind. I was a teenager singing about heartbreak (as one does) at a local gig, and it was the first time I realised the power embedded within shared experiences. Music had always been a sanctuary, especially creating it became really therapeutic for me over the years. But I hadn’t yet realised that what I was making could be comforting for someone else; something that was born out of my own experiences & my own head made another person feel something.

As a singer, my first song out was a collaboration with Spinnin Records with a young DJ called Mesto, a label I’ve known for many years and a DJ whose songs I knew. At that point, I had been writing songs for years, but I was only posting cover songs online. When they reached out to me based on the covers they found, it felt like the first time I could take this passion seriously. In a weird way, it also allowed me to take myself seriously.

How would you define your artistic essence today?
Embracing imperfection.

“Anxiety” is a very personal and intimate track. What inspired you to delve into this profound subject matter for your music?
Our minds can often feel like our own enemy. And for someone who overthinks & over analyses everything, being kind to yourself isn’t something that comes easily. This song is about recognising our negative inner monologue & understanding that you wouldn’t speak to anyone else the way you talk to yourself. It’s about finding self-compassion & to treat yourself as you would others.
I’ve never heard enough songs about anxiety & overthinking. If I had, maybe I would’ve had the ‘a-ha’ moment much sooner. The purpose of releasing a song like ‘Anxiety’ is hopefully to reach someone going through a similar thing & letting them know they’re not alone in it.

Can you share some insights into the emotions and narratives you aimed to convey through your music? What do you want listeners to take away from “Anxiety”?
Over time, I’ve learned that inner demons are not visible to everyone else. The chaos in your head doesn’t translate to the outside world. If you recognize yourself in this song, the best thing you can do is to make it tangible. Talk about things out loud, voice your concerns or write your thoughts down, and make space in your head for that critical voice to lose its power. By not expressing it, you’re feeding into it.

For anyone who (luckily) can’t relate, I’d remind everyone that appearances can be deceiving. Happiness and anxiety can coexist, and the song promotes empathy for those silently going through hidden struggles. So, check in on your ‘happy friends’. Check in on those who always happily lend an ear when you’re going through something. Check in on that person who constantly & relentlessly overthinks every single thing. You never know, it might have a greater impact than you think.

What do you think you learned the most from the process of working on this track?
You can make something beautiful out of something hard. Writing about something I felt lonely in, allowed me to find others who felt the same way. Vulnerability is truly an ability; allowing yourself to feel weak is a strength.

Looking ahead, what are your aspirations and goals as a musician?
I’ve always appreciated friends coming to me for advice & confiding in me. Uplifting others has always felt incredibly fulfilling. Writing music & sharing it with the rest of the world maybe helps me do exactly that on a broader scale. If I can be some source of comfort for anyone else, then I’ll consider myself lucky.

Finally, what’s next for you in your musical journey, and what are you most looking forward to in the future?
I’ve been working on a project for the past year, a collection of songs describing how chaotic your 20s can feel. Each song will address a specific topic within this decade; anxiety, relationships, friendships, etc. “Anxiety” was the first release from this project. I’ve been incredibly fortunate to work with really amazing & talented people along the way. I’m just getting started & I can’t wait to write more songs, meet more musicians and share more music with everyone. Look out for new songs coming soon!