Clementine – I didn’t even consider doing music as a career until I found drumming, in my 20s. I was always very passionate about music though, and remember alienating my elementary school friends by trying to get them excited about Zeppelin and Skynyrd, when they were listening to the latest pop music of the time. I guess I just needed time to find the right crowd to hang with!

Karen – Did your family and people around you support you in this?

Clementine – Oh sure. My parents were big music fans and there was always music playing in the house. I’m sad that my dad died before he got to see me play drums, he would have loved it! My family all come and make a big deal of any show I play near them. I’m incredibly fortunate in this respect.

Karen – Was there ever a time you thought about following a different career path? Have you ever done anything besides music as a career?

Clementine – I started out studying writing and then found drumming and went full-bore into that. I’ve had numerous day jobs along the way, none of them worth writing about.

Karen – It seems, as an observer, you are living a dream. Would you say this is true?  If not, what are your dreams?

Clementine – Well, that’s a nice thing to hear. I do feel like I’ve dreamed about making a living from music for a long time and the times when I’ve gotten to do that have been very fulfilling. It can be difficult, as there’s a lot of non-creative work that goes into this kind of life, and I wish that didn’t take up so much time. But I really wouldn’t trade it for anything else. And while this is a dream, to do what I love for a living, there are many layers of the dream that I’m always reaching for. I have goals in music that will keep me always working to move forward.

Karen – I am sure there were obstacles along the way.  What would you say was the greatest obstacle on the road to living your dream? And how did you overcome it?

Clementine – My biggest obstacle has always just been the limitation I put on myself. Thinking I’m not worthy of living the life I want, or accepting big concepts around what we’re “supposed” to do or what is possible. I’ve worked a lot on trying to clear out attachments to those concepts that aren’t helping me.

[Tweet “Sometimes the biggest obstacles are the ones we put on ourselves.”]

Karen – I can relate with that. I think a lot of people can. We sometimes let society tell us who we’re supposed to be instead of following our heart. What are some of your other passions, outside of music? Have you ever considered following any of these passions?

Clementine – I am a person of many, many hobbies and passions. I love writing and that’s a big part of my life, and I’ve incorporated that love into writing songs. Then I love to do myriad rather silly and fun things that I never seem to have time for.

Karen – Is anyone in the band married or have children?  If so, how has this affected your ability to follow your passions/dreams? 

Clementine – Our singer Noelle has a child, and she has great family support that allows her to be fulfilled in both lives. The rest of us have happy home lives and are either single or have partners who are ultra supportive.

Karen – How are you able to balance your music with family life?

Clementine – For me, I have a partner who is a musician as well, so it’s just an accepted element of our lives that we spend a lot of time apart. It works for us. Creative people need to carve out space for themselves, and having a partner who understands that is magic.

Karen – In the future, do you ever see yourself doing anything besides being a musician?

Clementine – I’ll always be a musician, but who knows what whim I might follow!

Karen – What are your dreams for Zepparella? As a musician? As a woman?

Clementine – I love playing this music, and I love playing it with the women in the band. They are each spectacularly talented, kind, intelligent, hysterically funny people and I am so incredibly fortunate to get to share this experience with them. I love them like sisters. I just want to continue playing this music with these wonderful people for the fantastic audiences we get to play for.

Karen – I was struck at this last show, how the four of you smile a lot at each other. It looks like you are having so much fun. That to me is the ideal situation. To be able to turn your passion into a dream job that you love, all while having fun. 

 Are you guys really having as much fun as it looks like you are?

Clementine – Most of the time we are having a blast! Of course, in any relationship there are issues that come up, and especially in creative groups there are strong opinions and feelings can get hurt. Add in long and difficult travel, not much personal space when we’re on the road, lack of sleep and proper food, stuff flares up as it would with anyone. I think we’re all pretty good at talking it out and we also really agree that when we’re not in agreement, it totally sucks, and we want to get it worked out as soon as possible.

Karen – When people think of rock and roll, unfortunately, a male image is probably the first image that comes to mind. What has it been like pursuing your passion of music in a male dominated field? 

Clementine – My heroes were all men, and when I started playing drums I really wanted to play like them, and wasn’t thinking as much about gender as I was musical ability and badassery. As a woman in music, it may be easier at first, and then harder as you go. There is a glass ceiling in hard rock that is sort of difficult to express. It’s more around respect and opportunity than anything else. But I imagine that men look at female musicians and think maybe they don’t have to work as hard for opportunities because of the rarity factor. So I guess it’s tough for everyone in some way. I think these issues are lessening over time, however. Youngsters these days seem to be a lot more open to a world without such divisions. I think the future looks bright that way.

Karen – That’s awesome and so great to hear! What advice do you have for women, or anyone, about following their passions?

Clementine – There are so many days when it just seems impossible, what you’re looking to do. But I think having clear goals and trying to work every day towards them will see some result. Learning a musical instrument has been a great lesson in how to work incrementally towards a result that is very far off. Every day, you have to carve out just a little time to work towards your goal. If I can only practice 15 minutes today, then I’ll do that. And if I do that every day for a month, I’d have practiced 7 hours. That’s more than spending a month waiting for the perfect time and space to play, and getting nothing done.

I used to have a little note on my computer that I cut out of a horoscope once: “This is the time of incremental progress. Inch by inch, hour by hour.” I love the idea that your passion just becomes something you think about constantly, and prioritize the way you do so much other stuff in your life that isn’t as important to you. And every little extra time you find, you do something to further the goal.

[Tweet “It is crucial to make our passions a priority just like anything else in our life.”]

A creative project can be hard with limited time, because it’s hard to be brilliant on cue. So you start to see that if you carve out the space and then show up and don’t feel particularly creative at that moment, there are a whole bunch of things you can do to related to the art form that have to be done but aren’t as much fun. If I show up to the studio to write a song, and I’m feeling tired or uninspired, then I can maybe organize my studio for next time, or prepare some files in the computer so when I sit down next time, I don’t have to do anything but create. I think it’s the same with anything we’re trying to do, there’s a lot of not-as-much-fun stuff to do when the muse isn’t hanging around.

Karen – Love it! That’s a great reminder I think for anyone following their passion. Especially a creative passion. Some days you just “aren’t feeling it” but there are always other, less creative things you can do, to move in the direction of your goals.

Is there anything else you’d like to add?

Clementine – Thank you Karen, for the great questions and your wonderful outlook!

Thank you so much for taking the time to answer these questions. You each inspire me and I know your story will be an inspiration and encouragement to others. I don’t think people allow themselves to truly chase their dreams, for one reason or another, so I am thrilled to be able to share your story. Women need to see other women out there following their passions!  I truly believe, only when we are living in accordance with our passions, and following our heart’s desire, will we be truly happy.

Thank you again so much! I wish I could take you all out for a beer!

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If you need help uncovering the courage to chase your dreams, read this.

I hope you enjoyed hearing how one woman chases her dreams on the daily.

Never doubt for a moment that you deserve to chase your dreams!

Salty Kisses,

Karen