Clive Hawkes

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What is music to you? What does it give you?

Music is a language that transcends all boundaries, cultures , religions and prejudices. It is the language of emotion and liberates us all as equal citizens of the world. If my music imparts a shared emotion then I have succeeded...

What is your music dream?

Many of my dreams have already been met in having collaborated with some truly awesome talents that I could only have dreamed of previously. I think the ultimate would be to receive some recognition in the outside world with some kind of hit or one of my songs used in a film or TV show - something like that would be the cream on the cake ?

If you could change the world - what would you start with?

Stop producing plastic bags !!

Which is the most memorable song from your childhood?

“Love is a many splendid things” - my mother used to sing it acapella and, although I was probably only 5, I remember it vividly. My father would record her singing it on his treasured Grundig reel to reel tape recorder.

Who are your favorite musical artists or bands?

My biggest influence was the music of Burt Bacharach and the many artists that recorded his wonderful songs - Dione Warwick, The Carpenters, Diana Ross, Aretha Franklin and many more too!!

What inspires you to make music?

Searching for magic - it can be elusive - but when it comes it is such a reward . You never know if it will ever come again so the search continues and will likely do so until my last breath.

What is the message you want to send with your music?

To hopefully share some magic and touch a heart with an emotion I have felt - a shared experience that knows no boundary or prejudice.

How do you feel when you perform in front of an audience?

I am not a performer hence why I stick mostly to just writing songs. I sing them simply to demo the song as otherwise they would likely never be heard !

How do you see the musicians’ reality nowadays? What could be improved?

There has never been a better time to be heard with the advent of the internet and the massive change in the music industry. Making money to survive on music alone is a whole different story !!

What do you think of Drooble?

I am new but love the fresh approach where it is all about promoting the artist. There are still many improvements to be made and perhaps leaning more towards collaboration would be great but so far very impressed.

What frustrates you most as a musician?

That is an easy one - lack of time. Lack of time to write/compose. Lack of time to make a great production. Lack of time to study music more and lack of time to promote oneself. When you write a song you believe has substance you want to share it !! Writing lyrics with a great concept is another frustration !!

Do you support your local scene as a fan? How?

Not in any big way to be honest - see above - time is the issue. When I was young - around 20 - I played in several bands who only played locally in the East End of London in working men’s clubs (they don’t exist now), local pubs and local gigs like weddings.

What qualities should a musician nowadays have in order to get their music heard by a larger audience?

It’s tough out there !! My guess is that you need to have an image, need to engage with your followers, need to be fresh and above all you need to have a talent that listeners can relate to by imparting an emotion of something!! Without emotion (something that moves the listener in some way) my guess is that they won’t come back for a second listen!