Local lookout: Red Clover

a healthy music ecosystem means uplifting the voices of new local artists, encouraging community support and highlighting the new sounds of our city. 

This week we Introduce: Red Clover 

Melancholic but mighty music filled the garage of Board of Missoula Saturday, Oct. 12 at the Girls on Shred women and non-binary skate clinic. Soothing vocal coos were drowned out by the sounds of skateboards dropping in to the ramp and loud cheers as the participants encouraged each other. Those cheers were eventually drowned out by an even larger sound. Chloe Behan, 19, stood alone on the makeshift stage, roller skates on and holding a guitar, their angsty and glorious howl engulfed the concrete space. 

“I like doing music because it feels good and I like screaming,” Chloe said.

Chloe and their two roommates had performed in a brand new band called Trash Babies this past summer. The group of friends wanted to pick up instruments and learn together, with some things to get off their chest. They created snarky, self proclaimed “dumpster pop” singing about mental health and eye-rolling at the overbearing presence of local “boy bands.” 

But Chloe had other deeply personal and poignant songs brewing and started working solo. The Girls on Shred event was their first time performing as Red Clover. The soft but intense indie pop project is the latest new music to hit Missoula with a ferocity. We sat down with Chloe to hear more about the project.

KBGA: Where did the name Red Clover originate?

CB: My nickname when I was little was clover. There is something about the simplicity and how widespread and common clovers are. I can identify with them cause I think they are fucking cute. 

KBGA: Where are you from? When did you start playing music?

CB: I am from Sacramento...unfortunately. My dad gave me my first guitar when I was 12, the guitar I use now for shows is his. I got into it early high school and forgot about it until now. 

KBGA: What artist or band has been your biggest influences? 

CB: Bratmobile. They were these two girls who kept telling people they were in a band until someone tried to book them and then they were like “fuck, we don’t have any music or know how to play instruments.” In a week they put together a set and just did it. They are a part of the Riot grrrl thing, which was somewhat problematic but is still very influential for a lot of feminist musicians including myself. 

KBGA: What are some of the themes your songs deal with?

CB: Being angsty, being gay, being Brown, nature. 

KBGA:How do you go about writing?

CB: When I am alone words will go through my mind. I will write poetry in my head and turn that into a song. It feels good to express it loudly and in a way that makes sense. Style wise, the way I write songs is the same way I wrote when I was 12. I write the words, a chord progression and sing a melody around that. It is really simple. I don’t know what to call it but I think it is funny to call it Twee. 

KBGA: What is Twee?

 CB: Catchy melodies, simple themes. It’s just cute. A lot of bands are like “we are not Twee, we are real musicians,” but I think you can be cute and simple and be a real musician.

KBGA: Why is it important that new artists are emerging in Missoula?

CB:  A lot of the bands and people that are established are exactly who you would think: white, cis, straight men. Getting to see different people with different perspectives and the way they express themselves through music and how they present themselves in the space is really important. It helps you feel like you have a community and that you aren't just looking in. You can be on the inside surrounded by other people doing the same thing who are also trying to figure things out. 

Rapid-fire:

Favorite Missoula bands: Tomb Toad, Fuuls, Go Hibiki 

Song you played on repeat in high school: Cigarette Daydreams- Cage the Elephant

Favorite Scary Movie: House 

Favorite hobby: Skating 

Red Clover performs at Ghost Carrot Music Festival Saturday, Oct. 19 at 6:30 p.m. at the Veterans for Foreign War Post 209. 

For information on tickets visit: https://www.ghostcarrotrecords.com/gcr-music-arts-festival

Assembled by KBGA Music Director Noelle Huser

October 15, 2019