Endless album and current tour

The answers to this Q & A were completed by:  Sam McClymont

Congratulations on the recent release of your latest album, Endless. What can fans expect from the record and are you excited for your new music?

It’s been 3 years since our last album so this is more than exciting. We have wanted to bring out new music for what feels like forever to our fans.

They can expect to hear songs that reflect what’s been going on in our lives the last three years,plus working with our producer Andy Mak brings our whole new dimension to our music. Expect to hear The McClymont harmonies with a new edge.

You sing about life, love and heartache, do you find it challenging on an emotional, personal level to share your real life experiences with your fans and the public through your songs?

Not anymore. I think when you are 20 you feel a bit insecure and you haven’t gone through as much life experience so it’s harder to write. Now as we are older and all have families and have been through so many highs and lows we have no problem wearing our heart on our sleeves and letting people into our lives. Country music is all about telling real stories and we want to honour that.

You recorded your last album Here’s To You & I in Australia with Lindsay Rimes. What was the recording process like for Endless?

Very similar.We have loved recording here in Oz. Andy made the process so smooth and easy and it was so nice to rock up to the studio everyday and feel like you were just on the same page. Andy works close with his brother Thom so they understand sibling harmony and working together and that’s really important to us.
How does this album differ from your previous releases (if at all)?

I think each album we do gets more personal. We open up more every album and you can hear that in this record. The sound is a little more adult contemporary country too.

There’s a line in House that says “I used to always be thinking about everything I’m not instead of everything I got”. What does that mean for each of you?

I think it speaks for itself. We used to always be chasing the next goal and wanting to achieve a higher level of success. Sometimes you forget to stop and take stock of all the amazing things you have in your life and the incredible journey you have been on.

You worked with Ronan Keating for your song, When We Say It’s Forever. How did that track in particular come about, and what was it like working with him?

We wrote the song to be a duet and when it came to finding a partner Ronan was our first choice. We worked with him a few years ago on his duets album and it was such a good fit then that we wanted to do it again for our album.

You’re touring for most of this year: What are the best and least favourite parts of being on the road?

The best parts are playing new songs while exploring Australia. Being away from home is always tough but we absolutely love our job and couldn’t imagine doing anything else.

Brooke, you were signed to Universal Records in 1997 after Samantha went solo. Mollie, you joined your sisters and The McClymonts became a trio in 2006. What has it been like for each of you, working with your siblings?

We have found an amazing work life balance. We love getting to hang out together but it’s important to go home and spend time with our families. Being sisters though we find it easy to work together because we know each other so well, we also don’t take things personally.

You have enjoyed a great deal of success over the last 10 years, winning CMC, Aria and Apra awards, and selling any number of albums, how have your lives changed (if at all)?

You never know what to expect in this industry. If each album is going to be received well or not and if you are going to wake up tomorrow and still have a job so we don’t take anything for granted. As each year goes by you just learn to appreciate everything you have.

Forever Begins Tonight, which featured on your last album,  is a beautiful song and has been embraced by many newly married couples as their first dance as husband and wife. Was the song written with that first dance in mind?

Yes, we wrote it when Sam and her husband Ben got engaged as they were looking for a first dance song to use and we realised we had never written one.   It’s so nice a lot of people now use it at their own weddings and we in some small way can be part of their special day.

You write all of your own music. Where do you draw inspiration from and what’s your favourite part of the process?

The inspiration comes from what’s happening in our own lives or the closest people around us. Each song usually is created so differently and that’s always exciting.

Who are your musical influences?

The Eagles, The Judds, The Dixie Chicks, Tje Wilkinson’s, Shania Twain, Dolly Parton

Are there any musicians you would like to collaborate with?

Dolly, Keith Urban, Shania Twain

How would you each define success?

Success is so individual but we feel making a living out of music means we have successfully avoided a 9-5 our whole lives and what a ride it’s been.

What made each of you realise that music was your path?

We didn’t know you could choose music as a career until we finished high school we always just thought we had the most amazing hobby. It was pretty life changing when we found out you could play music everyday all day and call it work.

Has there been one particular moment in your musical career that you’re most proud?

Grand Ole Opry in Nashville.

How has your music evolved since you first began playing music together?

I think playing night after night on stage for how ever many years means we have become more confident and comfortable with who we are and what we want our music to be.