On The Rocks with Adia Clark Lay
Mustard had the pleasure of speaking with Colorado based singer-songwriter and Berklee College student Adia Clark Lay. Lay released their debut EP "On The Rock" last month.
Leaving home is one of the most difficult things a human can do. Growing up humans become familiar with their enviroment. Their enviroment, along with their peers and family, help shape them into who they will become. Sometimes though life calls for a human to find a new home. Adjusting to a new enviroment, Mustard has observed, takes some time but will be beneficial in the long run.
For twenty year old Country independent singer-songwriter Adia Clark Lay they’ve found a new home in Steamboat Springs Colorado. Steamboat Springs, along with Berklee College of Music, have allowed Adia Clark Lay to thrive. Originally from Chicago they have found themselves an inclusive and supportive community in both Steamboat Springs and Berklee. Lay has been described as a staple in Steamboat’s live music scene and is the winner of “Best Solo Musician” award in The Steamboat Pilot.
2024 was a big year for Adia Clark Lay. Last month they released their debut Country EP: On The Rocks where Lay takes listeners on a journey through their experience in a rocky relationship. On The Rocks highlights Adia Clark Lay’s songwriting skills and will have you wishing it was a full LP. The EP can be found on all streaming platforms.
There is a lot more about Adia Clark Lay you need to know. In our interview below you will have an opportunity to get to know Adia Clark Lay more. Together we discuss Taylor Swift, Steamboat Springs, traffic, and so much more!
1. Mustard is grateful and appreciative to have you join them at Music Shelf. How are you doing today?
I’m doing great! Super excited for my release and traveling abroad for school!
2. Growing up you were given the choice between guitar and piano lessons. You chose guitar because of Taylor Swift. Could you share more about how Taylor Swift has inspired you both creatively and personally?
Taylor Swift’s music career is THE one to be influenced by. Taylor Swift is such an amazing songwriter. Her stage presence and voice have grown so much over the many years I’ve been listening to her. She is such a savvy business-woman and complete boss when it comes to making choices in her career. Whether that’s in her outfits, stage plot, or copyright of her songs. She is not afraid to share what she thinks with the world, even if it’s highly controversial. I strive to be an artist like her; a powerful and talented feminist.
3. Mustard wonders what type of music you grew up listening to? How has your parents' support helped fuel your creativity?
My parents actually are not musicians, but they have an eclectic music taste that has definitely influenced what I listen to, play, and write. My mom grew up listening to Sarah McLachlan, Sheryl Crow, and Natalie Merchant while my dad grew up listening to Metallica, Iron Maiden, and Slayer. No one in my family really listened to country until I started writing in the genre. I didn’t even start listening to country until 2020, when I decided to start discovering new genres during the pandemic. Of course I listened to Taylor Swift growing up, who has delved into many genres; including country. But, I mostly listened to pop music growing up.
4. Mustard has observed that Taylor Swift has gone through many eras. Which era of Taylor Swift do you connect with most? If you could make a friendship bracelet for Taylor what would it say and why?
I’d say I connect most with the Debut, Fearless, or Speak Now Eras because those were when she was playing country music. Taylor and I honestly experienced our Eras in reverse; as I went from Folk to Country and she went from Country to Folk (and other genres). If I made her a friendship bracelet, it would likely say “You’re My Idol” with my website on the other side! I would do anything for her to listen to my music.
5. You are currently a student at Berklee College of Music studying Songwriting and Music Business. What is some of the best advice you have received from either a professor or fellow songwriter? Would you recommend all artists learn more about the music business?
One of my favorite professors at Berklee, Kat Reinhert, says that writing partial songs is fine, but writing full songs is the key to success. “Practicing” songwriting looks like writing as much as you possibly can. At school, song ideas are called “song seeds”. I collect them every day and keep them in a notes app on my phone. Song seeds are important because if you don’t know what to write about, you can pull out your list and write about any one of them. They are also good for keeping track of ideas that you can’t use right away; if you are driving, eating, etc. I’ve written them down in the middle of a performance before! But the best advice I’ve received and can give to others is to finish those half written songs! They could turn out to be fantastic!
6. Mustard wonders what are some key elements that make up an Adia Clark Lay song?
Adia Clark Lay songs are all about the lyrics and vocals. Every song I write has a story behind it and I try my best to describe it as best I can without it being too specific that no one can relate to it. All my songs are meant to be an outlet for not only me, but also for my listeners.
7. Your music draws sources from country, pop, and everything in between. If you had to make a playlist that referenced these sources what songs would be on it?
“Picture to Burn” and “Mean” by Taylor Swift would be at the top of the playlist for sure. I would also include “I Ain’t Crazy” and “Matchmaker” by Erin Kinsey, a small but powerful female country artist I found on social media. Avery Anna is another small female country artist that I found on social media and I would include many of her songs as well. Carrie Underwood would also find her way onto my playlist with “Before He Cheats”. You’d also find some John Mayer, Tom Petty, and Benson Boone on there!
8. You have been described as a staple of the Steamboat live music scene. How does it feel to be considered a staple in your local scene? How do you prepare for these shows? Do you have a pre/post show routine? Are there any other local acts you recommend readers check out?
I am so honored to have been called that by many media outlets here in Steamboat Springs, CO! This summer I had anywhere from one to four shows per weekend, so it was tough physically but amazing mentally. I was so proud of myself for how booked out I was able to get myself. My pre-show show routine includes no dairy for 24 hours, a vocal warm up 15 minutes before the show, lots of water, and of course trying on many outfits until I find the one!
JR Adams is a jack of all trades when it comes to the steamboat music scene, I don’t think there’s a genre he can’t play. Jay Roemer has curated both a solo and group career here in Steamboat. Kristin Esper is an amazing vocalist, songwriter, and also a very talented equestrian.
9. In addition to being a singer-songwriter and student you are also a teacher. Could you describe what a session with Adia Clark Lay is like?
I try to make my session both informative and enjoyable. I want to connect with my students and their parents on a personal level as well as in an educational sense. All of my students have been to at least one of my shows, and sometimes will come up and play a song with me! I believe in learning music theory before learning songs. This is because anyone can learn to play a song, but understanding the song and what you’re actually playing is so important to me to teach my students.
10. In 2022 you released your debut single Burn. Did fire or any other hot elements inspire this single? How did it feel to have your first official song out in the world?
In Burn’s music video, you can see various scenes that include fire. The song definitely has fire inspired lyrics as well. It was such an amazing feeling to have my first single out! It actually released while I was on a plane to school for the very first time.
11. You followed up Burn with Brown Eyes which is about a "situationship" gone bad. As a condiment Mustard wonders: what is a "situationship?" What does it mean to be infatuated with another human?
To me a situationship is when two people are seeing each other regularly but they have not yet had a conversation yet about whether they are officially partners. Infatuation is when you like someone else a lot but probably not for the right reasons. There’s a reason why it’s called infatuation and not love.
12. Mustard wonders if you have gone back?
I have indeed gone back haha! The song was inspired by my hometown in Colorado, which is where I spent my entire summer.
13. You released various versions of Wanna Go Back. When did you decide to release remixes to this single? Can fans expect to see any other singles remixed in the future?
I wrote Wanna Go Back with my producer at school, ArodB3ats, and we decided together that it would be cool to release remixes of the song. It would showcase our talents of songwriting and producing on a higher level. The Sped-Up version was released because I got a lot of people asking for it after I used it to tease the “regular” version of Wanna Go Back.
14. Following Wanna Go Back you released Water My Flowers off your debut EP. Could you share more about Water My Flowers?
I started writing Water My Flowers when I returned to school last year. I was sitting in the lounge of a dorm building on the Berklee campus and was really missing my family, so I decided to write a song! I ended up finishing the song for an assignment in my lyric writing class and was able to get some great feedback on it. I used it to edit the song a bit more and that is the version that you guys get to listen to now!
15. You wrote this song about leaving home and leaving everything behind. How has songwriting helped you with this transition? Why is it important for humans to explore new environments?
I am originally from the Chicago area in Illinois and only moved to Steamboat Springs, CO seven years ago to start 8th grade. The move was difficult for a 12 year old of course, but ultimately, it’s allowed me to grow so much. Not only as a musician, but also as a person overall. The culture in Steamboat is much different than in Chicago, musicians strive to help each other succeed here. After graduating from Steamboat Springs High School, I moved away to Boston, MA to attend my dream school, Berklee College of Music. I thrive there. I am learning so many new creative outlets and songwriting techniques. I am gaining access to knowledge that I would never be able to get anywhere else. I’ve learned so many new music skills that are assets to my growing career. Anyone who is debating leaving home should absolutely do it! As for songwriting helping with making transitions in life, it helps me cope. Writing allows me to dump out all of my feelings, good and bad, onto a page. I can then turn it into a beautiful song to be released on streaming platforms and played at live shows that others can listen to and hopefully relate. If a listener can relate to a song I’ve written, I’ve done my job correctly.
16. Mustard wonders what type of flowers you have. How often should they be watered?
Funny story actually, I cannot take care of a plant for the life of me. So you should never trust me to take care of your flowers haha!
17. Mustard would like to wish you congratulations on your debut EP On The Rocks. Could you share what it was like to put this EP together?
My EP is called “On The Rocks” and it is not only my first country EP, but my first EP ever! They can expect to hear songs about rocky relationships and what it feels like to leave behind the things you love in order to pursue your dreams.
The EP was such a fun experience to put together. It’s been a year in the making actually. I wrote the first song on it last summer, but I didn’t know that it would make it onto my debut EP until this last spring.
18. As a condiment Mustard wonders: what does it mean to be on the rocks? Is Adia Clark Lay a fan of Geology?
To be “on the rocks” means to be shaky in a relationship, unable to find your footing, or agree on a lot of topics. I don’t know too much about Geology, but I was an avid rock collector growing up.
19. Mustard has observed some humans say they would like their beverage "on the rocks." Did this expression inspire or influence the title of the EP? Do you enjoy your beverages this way?
I felt the expression “on the rocks” was the perfect title for the EP because each song depicts a different aspect of a rocky situation, whether that was in a romantic relationship or in a familial one.
20. Mustard wonders if they made their decision? Are they still caught in traffic?
They are still caught in traffic, but I took the wheel and drove away.
21. Mustard has noticed that most humans dislike traffic. How does traffic impact a human's day? How do you feel about traffic?
Traffic is the worst! I do enjoy driving however, I get some of my best ideas while driving and have to take voice memos to write about them later.
22. The album opens with Right About You and closes with Caught in Traffic. Are these songs set within the same universe? Are you speaking about the same subject in each of these?
Right About You is about an ex-boyfriend from high school where Caught In Traffic is about a few people actually! I wrote Caught In Traffic about being in a relationship with someone who gets hung up on the past, which I’ve experienced multiple times.
23. A human invites their friend to see Adia Clark Lay to perform. What three words best describe your live performances?
The audience will find themselves: Crying, Laughing, & Dancing
24. What is on the horizon for Adia Clark Lay?
More country! I want to eventually put together an album, but more singles are definitely coming!
25. Where can readers listen to your music?
My music is available on all streaming platforms, as well as on some radio stations. It would mean the world to me if listeners sent my songs to their local radio stations so my music can be heard all over the world!
Talking in the aisle
Have you listened to Adia Clark Lay?
Do you enjoy your beverages “on the rocks?”
Have you ever been caught in traffic?
Music Shelf with Mustard is a publication that interviews independent musicians from all across the globe. It is read in 34 states and 19 countries. Check out previous interviews here.
Music Shelf with Mustard originally began in early 2021. Inspired by independent musicians on social media application TikTok Mustard knew they had to do something to help share their music. Shortly after Music Shelf with Mustard was born. Its goal is to highlight independent artists from all across the globe. Mustard appreciates you taking the time out to read this interview.