Claire Small - How Do You Like Love?

Singer/songwriter Claire Small has called both Nashville and Austin home -- with the Lone Star locale being her current residence -- and it's easy to hear the influences of both in her music. The rootsy Americana that sits comfortably next to the more indie-styled pop energy in her best songs reflects the mix of influences at play in her writing, many of which are grounded in what she describes as "1930’s and 40’s American roots music (including) artists like Hank Williams and Robert Johnson." She adds, "for me, roots rock describes the filtering of these influences through the rock music I listened to in my teenage years. There are also a lot of big, poppy harmonies and arrangements on this record, emulating bands I loved when I was younger like The 5th Dimension and the Mamas And The Papas."

The songs on her upcoming third album How Do You Like Love (May 18, Freedom) trace her journey from Nashville to Houston and then Austin, the personal relationships (and their failures) that motivated her move and the ever-maturing outlook on life and love. Songs such as the fine title track -- bringing to mind Shawn Colvin or a twangier Ingrid Michaelson -- are, in her own view, decidedly "more personal and to the point." Arrangements for the new project came from Small and her backing band of Matt Esky on bass and Stephen Belens on drums with guests including guitarists Jon Dee Graham, Doug Lancio and the busy Joe McMahan. Recommended.

Myspace  Artist Site

Claire Small - "How Do You Like Love?" (from the album How Do You Like Love?) (Free download at her site)