I’ve started a new BLOG. It’s basically an outlet for all of my passions, grievances, and randomness. I’m still gonna update this one regularly, but I really wanted an outlet for my weirdness. Worry not. The Carlotta Blog is here to stay. I’ll continue to update you on tour info, new music, and upcoming shows. We’re also gonna have a lot of cool contests coming up too. So stay tuned.
I’m crazy excited for the new blog though. I’m gonna be sharing new music, my favorite artists, life tales, and basic pop culture nuggets. So journey into my sick mind. I’ll also include tons of Carlotta info that isn’t “news worthy” enough to make this blog. I hope you all enjoy The Claytonian Post.
Clayton
P.S. Here’s the official linkage: http://claytoncarlotta.blogspot.com/
I have been insanely busy writing new music and recording demos the past couple of weeks. Carlotta has been on overdrive! We’ve had the priv of working with some of the coolest/nicest people in the biz too. Big Ups to Matt Beckley and Simon Wilcox! They’re both amazing writers/performers in their own right. So collaborating with them was the shit! Anyways, I’m so excited with our new songs and can’t wait for you to hear them.
If you wanna follow us through our songwriting/recording process, check out our brand new Twitter page. It’s basically Confessions of a Dangerous Mind meets Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen. Anywaze, if you wanna hear about the crazy ins and outs of Carlotta World, check it out. I’m gonna do my best to update it a lot and give lots of clues about our upcoming album.
I don’t know why I always attempt such ambitious covers. Oh wait. It’s cuz I’m crazy ambitious. Oh yeah. In any case, OH DARLING is one of my favorite songs of all time. I hope I did The Beatles at least a smidge of justice. Enjoy our acoutic cover.
Laterzz,
Clayton
P.S. IF YOU’RE IN L.A. NEXT WED FEBRUARY 18th, COME SEE US PLAY AT THE KNITTING FACTORY! We go on at 8:00 and it’s gonna be wild. It’s all ages and 5 buckaroos.
P.S.S. If you’re in the mood to trip the fuck out, check out Coroline in 3D. I saw that shit last night and while I have no idea what it was about, it was the best movie I’ve ever seen. Ughhh. I wish life was in 3D.
Sorry I’ve been so M.I.A. lately. I’ve just been so busy these past few weeks. Maintaining my social, band, and television watching lives in harmony has proven rather difficult. Anyways, I’m here now so let me update you on all things Carlotta.
Two weeks ago, we played a bizarrely wonderful show at The Unknown Theatre. Lets just say there was confetti, stripper poles, and a Bohemian Rhapsody cover. In short, it was…weird and great. Plus we loved getting to play with Limetree Warehouse and Oh Gypsy!. You should really check em out if you haven’t yet. Aside from showing off my poll dancing prowess, we also debuted some of our new music at the show. I seriously can’t wait for you guys to hear our new stuff. We’ve been working our asses off writing and recording demos and I just know you’re gonna love our next phase!
If you’re gonna be in L.A. next week, you should definitley to come to our show! We’re gonna be performing at THE KNITTING FACTORY next WED. FEBRUARY 18th. We go on at 8:00 and the show is gonna be insane per usual. We can’t wait to see you all there!
I’ll Smell ya later,
Clayton
P.S. I hope everyone has a great Valentines Day. This year, I’m pretty much single. Yay for me. Guess I’ll be celebrating the Big V Day with my true soulmates: The Real Housewives of Orange County. Who needs s hot date when you have the leather-skinned darlings of reality T.V. to keep you cozy. In the words of the immortal and iconic Vicki Gunvalson: Wooo Hoooo!!!!
A couple of weeks ago, we had the privilege of working with an amazing new photographer. His name is Justin Misch and we randomly met him at a show in November. He said he wanted to shoot us (with a camera, not a gun) and after looking at his portfolio, we were sooo down. I love photo shoots. I really do. They’re so awkward and embarrasing and glamourous. Anyways, we spent a couple of hours roaming Century City last week with our guerilla shoot. And it was amazing. We got kicked out of office builidings, alleyways, and even Du Pars (WTF? They shoot porn there! But not us? That place is grimey….I kinda love it). Basically the shoot was candid and bizzare, (like a Courtney Love blog post) and we had a great time. I even got to live out one of my greatest fantasies: Getting covered in glitter. I’m glad I can finally cross that one of my bucket list. I mean I felt shiny and violated when it was done, but that’s cool I guess. Anyhaze, Here’s a taste of the pics.
Also……We have a SHOW at SPACELAND this WED. NIGHT at 9:00. It’s Indie 103 Night so it should be insane. I’m dying to play a show (It’s been almost a month) so you better come out and support. All the details are in the show section.
Happy International Hangover Day!!! I hope everyone had a fantastic New Years Eve last night! Mine was off the charts bizarre. I’m still trying to emotionally grasp what went down. If last night is any indication for what 09 has in store for me, then I should expect to be embarrassed, dizzy, and semi nude the whole year. Anyways, I hope your night was as boozy and memorable as mine. But just remember that New Years Eve is the only time when it’s socially acceptable to act like Amy Winehouse. So, don’t keep the party going. Or do. Whatevs. I ain’t gonna stop ya.
Anyways, let’s start off this year with a bang (shutter). Some brave soul filmed our show in Philly this past October and just posted our cover of Billie Jean up to youtube. I hope you enjoy. BTW, if you’re still drunk from last night, I KNOW you will.
I hope you guys are all having an amazing holiday season. I’m having a great one (Origami! Boozing! Pollyanna!). But what I’m really excited for is tomorrow night. New Years is without a doubt, my favorite holiday. If there’s one thing I’m good at, it’s turning over a new leaf. And that’s what New Years is all about! I’m obsessed with clean slates, fresh starts, and any other cliched phrase that people like to use on A&E’s Intervention. God, that show is amazing/depressing. Anyways, the point is I’m beyond excited for the new year. 2008 was the shit. But 2009 is gonna be on steroids.
When I look back on all the shit we did in 2008, it makes me borderline proud. Waaaaay back in 2007, I was still in high school and Carlotta was more of a hobby than anything else. Back in the day, we only played the Los Angeles area and never really toured. We didn’t have a van, merch, or even a website. We were just writing music and recording. But that all changed in ‘08. In the past year, we released our debut album, played South By SouthWest, and went on 2 major tours. We opened for Filter, Saving Abel, Blake Lewis, Endeverafter, Meriwether, and Ben Jelen. We played in over 25 states this year and finally got our own van. We even started to get radio play all across the country (including L.A.’s very own KROQ). Now listen, if it sounds like I’m bragging, it’s cuz I kinda am. 2008 was great. But it’s got nothing on 2009. Next year is gonna be bigger, brighter, and bolder for Carlotta. It’s gonna be a year of new music, new tours, and tons of surprises. You won’t believe the shit we’ve got up our sleeves. Anywayze, I really want to thank everyone who supported us this year. To all the sexy chix and dudes who come to our concerts and showed us love, THANK YOU. To all the Carlotta soldiers spreading the word on the streets and the interwebs, THANK YOU. To all the bands we’ve played with and all the people working with us behind the scenes, THANK YOU.
09 is all mine,
Clayton
P.S. I never did get that turtle I wanted on tour. But I did get something kinda close. Introducing…..my newest sidekick and best friend for life…..MARK THE PRAYING MANTIS. This video will explain all. I mean, the chemistry between us is electric. We’ve really got that Lucy and Ethel dynamic down. Actually, we’re probably more like Kenan and Kel. In any case, Enjoy.
A lot of times in interviews, I’m asked who my biggest musical influence is. I always dread that question. How can I name just one artist when I’m inspired by so many? Obviously Michael Jackson is up there. But there are so many more. I’m obsessed with the voices of Stevie Wonder and Prince. Not to mention Prince’s mic stand kicks. I’ve practiced and practiced, but I still can’t do that shit right. There’s the lyrics of Anthony Kiedis, the brilliance of Madonna, the moves of James Brown, and the originality of Beck and David Bowie. I look up to all of them.
But there is one artist who stands above the rest as my ultimate rock god: FREDDY FUCKING MERCURY. He was a true original. Blessed with a voice that could move mountains and a penchant for sequins (not unlike my own), he came onto the scene like a flash of glitterey lightning. There had never been a performer like Freddy when he first emerged into the music world. And there hasn’t been one like him since. One day, I hope to carry on at least one ember of the torch that he lit. Without Freddy, I wouldn’t be doing what I’m doing. It’s really as simple as that.
Okay. That last part was a little corny. Sorry, but the Holidays always make me a tad sentimental. It’s probably all of the egg nog and Oprah I’ve been ingesting latley. In any case, I hope you enjoy this cover of Killer Queen by the legendary Freddy Mercury and Queen. Intersting Side Note: This song was actually the first song that Andrew and I ever played together. It was nearly 3 and a half years ago. As Oprah would say, I think we’ve come full circle. (Wow. totally just had an “AHAH” moment). Consider this your early Xmas Gift, boys and bitches.
Happy Holidays,
Clayton
P.S. Am I the only one who thinks that Charlie Brown and all those Peanuts misfits are beyond depressing? I watched about 5 minutes of A Charlie Brown Christmas last night on T.V. and seriousley considered jumping out the window. Why do they talk so slow? Those kids are sadder than a Bambi/Requiem for a Dream mash up. OKAY. Rant Over.
I love Thanksgiving. I really do. It might just be my favorite Holiday. I mean, it certainly beats Arbor Day. Who the hell came up with that fuckery anyway? That holiday is straight up weak sauce. I think I love THX-Giving because it combines two of my favorite past times: Fighting with relatives/Eating and drinking too much. Plus, I’m a Native American. So any excuse to slap on a couple feathers is gonna make this bitch smile. In any case, I had a great Thanksgiving this year. It was amazing to be with my brother and sisters who I don’t see enough. And all in all, I really am thankful for my life and all the things I have.
Alright, enough Holiday cheer. Now to the (turkey) meat of this post. Last summer, my friend Ian Sloane called me with an interesting proposition. In case you’re not familiar, Ian is an amazing producer and artist in his own right. He’s also a great friend to Carlotta. I would describe his sound as a Pop/Rock/Hip Hop hybrid. (And you guys know how much I love hybrids!) Anywaze, Ian was working on his first solo record, It’s Not You Baby…It’s Me and he wanted to do a remix of one of our songs. Remix isn’t the actually right word. It’s more of a re-imagiing/cover.Whatever you want to call it, he was dying to put his own spin on our song, Caroline. I trust Ian with all my heart, so I was down to let him go for it. I even visited him in the studio to lay down some vocals. The final result is pretty awesome and pretty unique. It’s probably not what you’re used to hearing when you think of Carlotta, but that’s why I like it. I love all genres of music and am down to experiment in all arenas.
You can listen to our original version of Caroline HERE. This is the version from our album Out of Love, which you can get off iTunes.
You can listen to Ian Sloane’s version of Caroline 2.0 HERE. It features Ian Sloane, DJ B from The Fly Guys, and Clayton (Thaaaaaaats Me!).
If you liked the new version of Caroline, you can check out another song Ian and I did together. It’s called You Need Me and it will be on his debut album along with the new Caroline. We had so much fun writing this song together and I even sing on the chorus. You can listen to it HERE
It’s been quite a hectic week. I don’t even know where to begin. That’s how crazy busy I’ve been. I mean sure, I get up at noon almost every morning. And sure, I’m able to squeeze in at least 2 power (hour) naps a day, but…wait, what are we talking about? Oh yeah. How hectic my life is. Don’t get me started. Don’t even get me started.You try learning all the dance steps to Single Ladies(Put a Ring On It) and tell me that shit aint hard. God, my life is stressful!
Anywayzey, This past Thursday, we played our first show in Cali since we got back from tour. We got to play Club Blue in Agoura Hills and I must say, it was amazing to finally perform again. The show was sponosored by our good friends at Semi Popular Clothing. If you haven’t checked out SPC yet, you should. They make awesome clothes and even designed our baseball tees. Anyways, the Agoura Hills show went off without a hitch. Who knew The A.H. was so down to poorty?
Staurday, we played The Glow Benefit in Santa Monica. The concert was a charity event for The Assistance League of L.A. I’m not gonna lie, the sound at the show was kind of a hot mess. But we would not be deterred. Even with the difficulties, we did our best to put on a kick ass show. Even if it was a little train wreck-ey, the show was for charity and a lot of tickets were sold. So that’s all that really matters. That being said, the absolute highlight of the night was getting to meet and play with a really cool new band. If you haven’t heard Haim yet, you are in for a musical treat. The band is made up of three sisters (and two misters) and they are FUCKING AWESOME. They’re like Fiona Apple meets Cold War Kids AND they’re from The Valley. What more could you ask for? I’m kinda becoming obsessed with them. So I hope all you Carlotta fans out there show them some support.
Back to business: This Sunday, we’re gonna be playing Cinespace in Hollywood again. It’s one of our favorite venues, so we’re pretty excited. Plus we’re gonna be playing with The Jakes and The Color Turning. The show is 18 plus and we go on at 10:30. So all you bitches better show up.
Below are some pics from our shows last week and the poster for our upcoming cinespace gig.
Love you like you mad,
Clayton
P.S. I feel kinda naked posting a video-less blog, so here’s footage from our New York show at the Canal Room last month. Enjoy Maybe in a Year
