Claud’s debut album is a reminder that you’re worthy of love

Phoebe Bridgers loves them, and so should you.

As the first artist signed to indie queen Phoebe Bridgers’ new label imprint Saddest Factory, 21-year old LA-based Claud Mintz is on the way to becoming the most talked-about musician of 2021. After releasing music for the past two years, it’s all culminating in the release of their debut album Super Monster.

Made up of 13 gorgeous tracks exploring young love, desire and friendships, the album covers the whole rollercoaster of relationship-y things that we experience as we’re growing up. We caught up with the blue-haired genius to find out more about the album, their inspirations, and their favourite artists right now.

How did it feel being the first signing to Phoebe Bridgers’ Saddest Factory?

Beyond exciting! I’ve been a fan of her music since before Stranger in The Alps even came out, so I felt very honoured when she reached out to me.

What was the idea behind the title, Super Monster?

Someone close to Daniel Johnston showed me a sketch of his from 2014 that said “Claud the super monster” on it. Daniel is an artist and musician I’ve been a fan of for a few years, so I asked the family if I could use that title.

What themes does Super Monster explore?

This is an album of love songs, and I write a lot about platonic and romantic relationships. I write about these feelings of intimacy as a reminder to myself and hopefully others that you are capable of being loved and are worthy of it.

If you could be any sort of monster from fairy tales and fiction, what would you be and why?

The creature from Frankenstein. He had a miserable life but only because he was so misunderstood.

Do you have a favourite track from the album?

I do, but it’s a secret : )

Could you tell us a little about ‘Soft Spot’ and what it’s about? Have you run into its subject since writing it?

It’s not really about just one person – it’s more like that overall feeling of holding a place in your heart for a certain person or place or time in your life.

Why do you think ‘Wish You Were Gay’ resonated with so many people?

Maybe because it’s so brutally honest. There’s no sugar coating in that song.

In an interview with Dazed you spoke about how huge it is that Sam Smith as a non-binary artist is singing on the major radio stations. Did you have any queer (or sort of queer-coded) heroes that you looked up to and heard on the radio when you were young?

I can’t think of many trans and non-binary artists that were on the radio when I was growing up, but some cis queer musicians I listened to were Mary Lambert, Tegan and Sara, The xx, and Brandi Carlile.

Who are your favourite artists in the world right now? 

Brittany Howard, Briston Maroney, Yves Tumor, and Adrianne Lenker.

Okay, let’s assume some of our readers are young and still working out their identity, or they’re new to queer culture in general, or they just want to understand queerness more. Are there any books, films, essays, songs, etc. you’d recommend they check out that have been really significant to you?

Dykes To Watch Out For by Alison Bechdel, But I’m A Cheerleader, Pose, Tegan and Sara’s new book High School, and anything that Carrie Brownstein does.

Super Monster is out now. Listen to it here and see more of Claud here.