In a time where sincerity feels out of fashion, CLEWS are choosing to double down on it.
Made up of indie-rock sisters Lily and Grace Richardson, CLEWS have dropped their long-awaited debut album, What’s Not to Love? in November, and are performing at Sydney’s Paddington Church tomorrow night (December 19th) to introduce this new chapter in an intimate setting.
What’s Not to Love? was written throughout years of personal upheaval, career shifts, and physical distance.
While navigating change, loss, and the messy edges of adulthood, the Richardsons explore love in all it’s forms: from romantic, and familial, and the kind you need just to get yourself out of bed. The album captures their telepathic chemistry and sharp harmonies that have defined the duo since their earliest days, but there’s a rawness on this project that is clearly authentic.
Now fully independent and self-managed, CLEWS approached this record with total creative autonomy for the first time.
Working with producer Ben Stewart, the sisters wrote much of What’s Not yo Love? remotely, with verses traded over voice notes and song files emailed back and forth between cities. What emerged feels instinctive, honest, and immediate.
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Long before the album announcement, CLEWS had built significant momentum through touring.
They’ve relentlessly toured with some of Australia’s most esteemed (DMA’S, Tash Sultana, Holy Holy, Ocean Alley, and Albert Hammond Jr.) artists, which has turned the duo into one of this country’s most compelling live acts.
They’ve played BIGSOUND, Dark Mofo, Fairgrounds, and earned sold-out slots both locally and abroad, including on three UK and Europe tours.
Outside the studio, their work reflects the values that drive the music.
Lily is a PhD candidate researching barriers to gender-based harm reform in the industry, while Grace taught herself music production while making their album.
Check out their exclusive intimate performance for Rolling Stone AU/NZ’s In My Room series above.
CLEWS’ What’s Not to Love? is out now. Ticket information for their upcoming shows is available here.
