Two hectic years after her debut, the voice of Claudia's Lament returns to the stage with two new albums and one new band. Sound caught up with her in London to discuss the inspirations of her past and the directions of her future.
It's 4:12 p.m. and Claudia Welles is drumming her fingers on her knee. The photographer's assistant runs to fetch more film as Claudia sits waiting, shooing off a stylist who wants to tie her hair up for the third time in an hour. Her partner in new band 66Sins, and if one believes the tabloids, in life, Katherine "Tanith" Marlowe, prowls around the edge of the studio. Claudia sighs under her breath as the photographer chews out her gopher again, and casts a look to Tanith, who smiles back gently and shrugs with her eyebrows. Clearly they're both used to this.
Earlier, I took my chance to talk to Ms. Welles. She has always been open about the influence of her life, particularly that of the physically abusive alcoholic father she ran away from when she was sixteen, and the great fortune she had in making friends in the Los Angeles goth scene of the early nineties, getting into shows free and sleeping on band members' floors. This harsh experience contributed to her early recordings, her band Claudia's Lament and their platinum-selling first album Thorns, and continues to inform the new Lament album Mirrors and her side project 66Sins. I asked her what other life events have shaped the new material.
Claudia Welles: Everything has its cycle. The denial, the depression, the regret, and the anger. If we're lucky we get to the acceptance of it all, but where's the fun in that? When I was doing Thorns, the focus of my life, my outlook, was very different than it is now. I was seeking, searching, and sinking, and a lot more of that side of me came out in the end result than was intended.
S: And now?
CW: Now? Now I'm pissed off.
S: Care to elaborate?
CW: Hmm...not really. Things in my life piss me off, same as you. I've screamed about them for anyone to hear already, it's up to them, or you, to listen.
S: So is this where 66Sins comes from?
CW: The anger? Partially.
S: What else?
CW: The desire to perform. To be me, to do what I wanted to do. That sitting behind a piano thing? It wasn't me. I did a passable job of it, and people bought it...but it wasn't me. I clawed my way up through a dirty, gritty, sleazy Hollywood scene, as a rock chick. A performer. I'm not soft.
S: Let's talk a little about Mirrors, the second Claudia's Lament album. The first single, "Sometimes," has been called "mournful."
CW: I guess that's a way to put it."
S: What for, in particular? If you don't want to answer, that's okay.
CW: Not really. A lot of it was stuff I had lying around that didn't fit on Thorns.
S: That brings me on to how you work. How much do you have down before you record, and how much do you create in the studio?
CW: Well, it depends. Lately, I've been [feeling it's] more of a work-for-hire situation. Sort of being told what I can and can't do creatively. So rather than write new material, I rehash things I already have, or use songs that didn't make it on a previous album. Really, that's what the producers and moneycounters want from me anyhow. Profits. They get 'em. Eventually I get to do another record of my own, that will allow me to show some actual growth and ingenuity. This contract thing is done now, the tables turn. [Then she laughs and lights a smoke.]
S: So what from Mirrors isn't essentially a continuation of Thorns?
CW: Pretty much all of it is a continuation. I needed thirteen songs for Thorns, I showed up with twenty-nine.
S: How have the two years since recording Thorns affected them?
CW: Well, they're essentially the same animals they were when I wrote them. The production techniques and trends have changed. A few little things were changed here and there in the studio by the producer and the engineer, but I performed them the same way they were written a few years ago.
Let's talk more about 66Sins. You also have a partner with you, Tanith. What's it like being one of two singers on stage instead of the solo focus?
CW: [She smirks briefly.] It gives me time to catch my breath when I need it if nothing else. And it certainly is a better show than anything I could do alone. I think people like it, what do you think?
S: I like it. She has a good voice too. How do you know her?
CW: We met at some club or something, hung out, normal shit. We're pretty close, yeah.
S: I picked up on some of your cited influences for the project. Who do you listen to that you wouldn't mind 66Sins being compared to?
CW: Influences? I dunno. A lot of things. I've always been inspired by Inger [Lorre]'s early work when she was with a band (Nymphs, ca. 1991—Ed.). Not so much that sound, but her. She was rock and roll and nihilism and sex all wrapped up in the flesh.
S: Musically it's been compared to Snake River Conspiracy, and Thrill Kill Kult on some tracks.
CW: And Jonestown on others, so I've heard. We're all derivative, yet unique. I've always been more of a performer, and this music lets me do that in a live setting.
S: You obviously enjoy being up on stage. Will you be touring?
CW: I don't know. Dealing with promoters has kinda soured me to the whole experience, sadly. And then there's the media, they're always a problem. Those pictures of Tanith and I always popping up. You think two girls hugging each other innocently is a scandal or something...I mean, it becomes one, but fuckin' Christ, ya know?
S: I can see that. That really is a shame.
CW: [In answer, she nods and blows smoke rings.]
S: A few quickfire questions now. Are you really working with Jonestown on the soundtrack to Broken?
CW: No, I've never met Jayne.
S: Someone you'd like to work with?
CW: Inger.
S: What is the video for "Sometimes" going to be like?
CW: I don't know, I'm not directing it. I'm sure they'll want me wrapped in wet gauze or something. It's not like [the video]'ll be played anywhere. I write my own music.
S: Presumably you have final say.
CW: [She smiles slowly.] Of course I do, no one likes me angry.
S: Well then, have you considered directing a video? Maybe for 66Sins's first single?
CW: That's really not my thing, I make music. I'm not really multi-talented like Keanu or anything.... [She smirks.] Hell, me being singularly talented is up for debate.
S: Okay, last question: What next for Claudia Welles?
CW: Hmmm, someone will probably shoot me or something while I'm outside having a smoke somewhere.
S: And, um, if not?
CW: Hmmm...maybe I'll marry some other famous person, get fat, pump out a few puppies. After all, that's what happens to all the women rock stars isn't it? Aside from the ones who OD, or choke on their own vomit I mean.
S: And musically?
CW: Ohhhhh...I don't know. Maybe a musical or something. [She smirks again.] Yeah...a musical. We'll remake Annie for the tragically hip and devil-loving crowd.... [She sings.] "The sun won't come out, tomorrow... bet your last dollar, that tomorrow, is still gonna suck..." [She laughs.]
S: Thank you, Ms. Welles. Now, the photographer should be ready next door.
CW: Am I gonna have to get naked or anything?
S: Nope.
CW: Ya know, publicists for female stars have the worst job in the world when it comes to photo shoots. "No! Too much crotch! Umm...that one is obscene if you look at it just right...this one, her nipple is showing a tiny bit...."
And with that, the voice of lamentation departs, laughing.
Discography
Beautiful Nothing, The Day That Was EP
Released in 1996
Claudia's Lament, Thorns
Released in 2000
Claudia's Lament, Mirrors
Released in 2001
66Sins, 66Sins
Released in 2002