The daughter of a minister and an operatic singer, Claire Givens grew up immersed in the Baptist church. She spent her childhood following her parents to different churches in rural northern Louisiana, learning to sing classical music in the choir. But as she grew older, she became frustrated with this routine and she began asking questions about her religion.
“I found myself being very angry at people who came to church because it was something they thought they were supposed to be doing, but they were so unhappy and miserable looking the entire time,” Givens says. “I thought, ‘why not go somewhere else for fulfillment.’ But I also realized I was just like them. Unfulfilled and forced into this space.”
Photo by: Arielle Bobb-Willis
Despite feeling trapped, Givens traveled as a teenager and she became exposed to different cultures, religions and ways of life. Over time she developed new perspectives, broadened her understanding, and met like-minded people that helped fuel her passion for music.
One of those people was Jeremy Phipps, a producer, trombonist and jazz musician from New Orleans. Fast forward to today, and the pair which came to be known as People Museum is about to release their debut album I Dreamt You in Technicolor on September 28.
It’s difficult to point to one genre to categorize People Museum’s sound. Givens’ ethereal vocals, layered with head-bopping percussion, pop rhythms, smooth electronic synth, and distinctly jazz brass bring out the traditional flavours of the South in a unique and modern way.
Phipps was also raised with a musical background, where he played in marching bands and jazz groups. Before collaborating with Givens, he toured with big names like Solange, Rubblebucket and AlunaGeorge. Upon meeting his counterpart, the music came naturally.
“We started playing music immediately after we met. I knew Claire as a songwriter before I knew her as a person,” says Phipps.
And there is no doubt that Givens is a gifted songwriter. The upcoming album features the newly released single ‘Bible Belt.’ The song directly addresses Givens’ conflicting feelings about her religious upbringing. She sings:
“Bible belt,
A rope as a tie you lied from deep inside
You would always hide”
Givens is still involved in the church where she sings in the choir and cantor. But she says she feels welcomed, not suffocated.
“I work for a denomination that is very liberal and open to all races, lifestyle choices, and beliefs. They have discussions about life and being good to one another rather than sermons of hell and damnation,” she says, adding that she will sing her favourite classical music at church and produce different sounds at home.
I Dreamt you in Technicolor is a nine-track release produced by Ross Farbe of Video Age and Ben Lorio of Below Productions. Prior to “Bible Belt” came the release of “Eye 2 Eye” — another catchy tune that experiments with sultry melodies, other-wordly synth and funky brass and percussion.
Givens says she is inspired by the vocals of Thom Yorke of Radiohead, the lyrics and composition of Julia Holter and the creativity of David Bowie. Meanwhile Phipps found a different kind of inspiration.
“Tina Fey [once said] in regards to collaborating with artists ‘hire talented people and get out of their way.’ That’s been my guiding light with People Museum.”
Follow People Museum on Facebook, Instagram, SoundCloud and Spotify.