My debut folk-pop album is almost ready!
It’s called MY VREEMDE KIND and is set to be released this year (early December 2024), with all-original songs in English and my mother tongue Afrikaans. We’re in the process of mixing and editing right now and it’s finally all coming together! Things like mastering, graphic design and making music videos are next on the agenda. To make all of this happen we need your help! I’m so happy that you’ve made it this far, there’s more info on the album and all the great goodies you can get for supporting us below!
Folk-Pop in Afrikaans? That's new....
Hi - I’m Clara, a Viennese singer-songwriter with South African roots. Exploring my roots has always been important to me as an artist and writer, and as a person. My mother tongue Afrikaans feels like an anchor to the place my parents called home - with all the complications and inner struggles involved with that. From my deep connection to the country and its people and nature, to feeling estranged and distant and carrying conflicting thoughts about South Africa’s troubled past (and present), as well as my own family’s complicated stories. That is why singing in Afrikaans is highly emotional and very special to me.
You don’t often hear Afrikaans being spoken in Austria or even Europe, let alone being sung on a folk-pop album. This is one of the things that make this project unique. Even in South Africa I’ve struggled to find music in Afrikaans with a similar vibe. I’m convinced that this genre has just been waiting for songs in this poetic and evocative language.
The album title «My Vreemde Kind» means «my strange child» in Afrikaans. After experiencing a deep loss I started weaving my thoughts, feelings and fantasies into songs. The music on this album is for the «strange child» in all of us. My hope is that with encouragement, soothing and love, our inner child can help us find a path towards healing and growth.
Happy studio face 
Sixtus Preiss’ Hinterkopf making the magic happen 
Tüfteln im Studio mit Greg, Amir und Sixtus 
Emily produziert konzentriert Geigenzauber 
Gregor bringt mit Bass die Bude zum beben 
Niki: ohne Schuhe spielt's sich gemütlicher 
Mega Horn-section mit Phil, Josef, Flo und Swantje 
Ganz besonderes Cover-Shooting mit Theresa 
Inspiration in Südafrika einatmen
This is what I need backing for:
Every album needs lots of love and patience, but there are also a lot of financial hurdles to be overcome. Here are some of the brilliant people involved in making it that I would like to pay a fair wage:
The amazing SIXTUS PREISS recorded and mixed the entire album. With his skill, sensitivity and heart he helped turn the music into something truly special. Also I was lucky enough to have my favourite musicians lend their time and talent to the album:
- EMILY STEWART on violin and viola made our souls sing
- NIKI WALTERSDORFER played all the guitars with such creativity and deep-felt groove
- GREGOR AUFMESSER has the most beautiful double bass sound in the world and I’m so happy he lent it to this album
- AMIR WAHBA plays like no other and created an entire percussion universe for my music
You’ll also be able to hear the following wonderful guest musicians: Ivan Trenev - accordeon Dominik Fuss - trumpet Seth Grey (South Africa) - voice Francis Montocchio - guitar Josef Fuchsberger - trumpft Florian Fuss - also sax Swantje Lampert - tenor sax Phil Yaeger - trombone
Then there are THERESA PEWAL’s beautiful photos and so much more (studio rent, mastering, promo, music videos, postage…).
AND NOW IT’S YOUR TURN: We’ve prepared some really cool GOODIES for you!
Little and medium-sized goodies:
- Signed CDs
- Hand-designed, -cut and -printed LINO PRINTS by me! 2 different designs inspired by two of the tracks on the album
- Home-made LYRICS BOOKLET + download code (for those of you who love reading and singing along but don’t want to buy the physical CD)
- COOKIES! I’ll be baking home-made «clementine-scented sighs» (delicious citrus cookies) inspired by my song «Clementine»
Medium-large and big goodies:
- Merch package with ALL the merch including CD
- AFRIKAANS lessons and VOICE lessons with me
- BASS lessons with Greg
- Your own private HOUSE CONCERT!
- A real South African BRAAI (Barbecue) with me and the band
It’s all very exciting and I’d like to thank you from the bottom of my heart for your support! Every little helps! The album is for all of you and it’s so wonderful that you’re helping us make it happen!
Love, Clara