Contributing WriterCLARAA continues to establish herself as one of the most compelling names in Melodic and Afro house. Following acclaimed releases on Armada Music, MoBlack and Connected Frontline, and more, she has earned support from artists including Black Coffee, Pete Tong and Bedouin, featured in editorial playlists from Spotify and Apple Music, and reached the Beatport charts multiple times. With performances around the world, she continues to build a global audience release after release.
1. Hey CLARAA, thank you for sitting down with us today. How have you been?
Thank you for having me! I’ve been doing really well. It’s been a busy and exciting time with the release of Set As Free. I’ve been spending a lot of time in the studio, working on new music, but also on the road playing shows, and preparing everything that’s coming next. I honestly feel inspired, grateful, and really excited about this new release.
2. Your new release “Set As Free” is out now. Can you tell us about this release and the inspiration behind it?
Set As Free is about realizing that what once broke you can eventually become what sets you free. This song reflects that transformation. I realised that what doesn’t work out is very often a blessing in disguise. More than anything, I wanted people to feel empowered, just as I did. I wanted this song to give them that spark of energy that helps them keep going through difficult moments. I hope it reminds people to know their worth, to never shrink themselves to fit where they’ve already outgrown, and to have the courage to keep evolving into who they’re meant to become.
3. Your distinctive sound blends warm percussion and melodic grooves. How has your music developed to get to this point? Do you have a particular process when producing?
I think my sound has naturally evolved alongside my own journey. I’ve always been drawn to percussion, groove, and emotional melodies, but today my music feels lighter and more uplifting. My earlier records carried more nostalgia, whereas now there’s more happiness, hope, and positive energy. I think that’s simply a reflection of where I am in life. When I produce, I don’t usually start with a kick or a bassline—I start with a feeling. It can be a melody, a vocal, or simply an emotion I want people to experience. Then I build everything around that feeling until the track tells a story while still making people move on the dance floor.
4. You’ve received support from artists like Black Coffee, Pete Tong and Bedouin. How does that feel? Does it motivate you?
It honestly means a lot. These are artists I’ve admired for years, so knowing that they’ve connected with my music is incredibly rewarding. Their support gives me confidence that I’m on the right path, but my biggest motivation has always been creating music that feels genuine and connects with people emotionally. That’s what keeps me going.
5. You’ve been DJing for years. Do you think about the dancefloor while producing?
Being a DJ in the first place has shaped the way I produce. I know what creates emotion and energy in a club, so I do think about that journey when I’m writing music. But I mostly want my tracks to work anywhere. I love when someone can listen to one of my songs at home, in the car, or during a personal moment and still connect with it emotionally.
6. Who are some of your biggest influences in the music industry?
Henrik Schwarz, Black Coffee, and Dixon have definitely been a huge inspiration for me. More than anything, I’m inspired by artists big or small who create timeless music and stay authentic to who they are instead of following every trend.
7. Music trends are constantly changing. How do you stay focused and true to yourself?
For me, authenticity isn’t really a strategy or even a conscious choice—it’s simply the only way I know how to create. I can’t pretend to love something, force a sound that doesn’t feel like me, or make music just because it fits a current trend. I need to genuinely believe in what I’m doing and feel connected to it; otherwise, I can’t move forward with it. What keeps me focused is trusting myself, even when my path takes longer or doesn’t immediately make sense to everyone else. I believe you have to listen to your own voice more than the noise around you, because trying to sound like others will always take you away from the unique things only you can create. So I stay curious and open, but I never compromise the instinct behind my music. I don’t really know how to be anything other than myself—and I think people can feel when something is real.
8. What else can we expect from you for the rest of the year?
I’ve been working on several new records, and I’m excited to share them. I’ll also be travelling to new places, meeting new audiences, and continuing to grow this project one step at a time. At the same time, I think it’s just as important to keep living. My music comes from real experiences, so I need to make space for those moments too. I’m not in a rush—I trust that every experience, every encounter, and every chapter of life will eventually find its way into my music. My biggest goal is simply to keep creating music that makes people feel something and brings them together through emotion and movement.
