(New York, NY) Indie-rock project Paper Citizen is led by Singaporean singer-songwriter, violinist, guitarist, and music producer, Claire Gohst. Self-proclaimed “Indie-rock for a lost soul in a new world,” the LA-based artist’s music blends crisp vocals with lyrical intimacy, spacious guitars, and organic rhythms on her new track/video “Scratching the Surface,” title track (out 1/29/21) of the new album, releasing April 23, 2021.
Videos by American Songwriter
“‘Scratching on the Surface” is commenting on the new fast-paced era we live in, technology as a driving force behind all this change, and the idea that we are often passengers in our own lives. With the wall of technology separating us, Gohst asks if we can still cut through the static to reach one another. While we learn to take the driver’s seat of the big machines, these recent changes around us have also opened up new paths. In this new world, women are heard and they make their identities known and celebrated. Gohst invites us to be excited to be alive as we begin to identify our force in the world.
“This song is about the ever changing world we live in—the fast pace we run with, the desolation of our cities, and the digital stations we have created to connect. No one really knows in which ways the world changes, but we’re all in it and ready for the ride,” states Gohst. “Our personal expression is more valuable than ever, and how this is only the beginning of it all—can we still touch with one another in the same ways? How can I still reach out to understand you behind these walls we’ve created? Is it all just perception, smoke and mirrors? Will we ever get to feel each other’s presence and who we really are behind the curtain?”
At 17, Gohst was kicked out of her home when her family found out she was gay. She eventually left school to pursue music as a full-time career. Thriving in the local live music scene around Singapore, playing the violin, and singing in bars, clubs, and restaurants, she realized she needed to grow to become a better artist. Soon after, she moved to Boston to pursue training in the recording arts and jazz violin at Berklee College of Music. Her artistic message, honed with musical influences, such as Wilco, St. Vincent, and Andrew Bird, combined with both analog and digital recording technology, resulted in her project, Paper Citizen.
Paper Citizen performed in Singapore for Pink Dot 2018, an annual event attended by thousands to show their support for the LGBTQ community, in a country that still has no anti-discrimination laws. Paper Citizen was voted The Deli Magazine’s “New England Emerging Artist of the Month” for October 2016, nominated in the 2017 New England Music Awards for the category “New Act of the Year” and nominated in the 2018 Boston Music Awards for the 617 Sessions Artist of the Year. Her music and journey have received praise from WGBH, Vanyaland, Bitch Magazine, Swaay, and Autostraddle.
Released in 2016, the debut EP Postcards in Transit was a personal reflection that touched on the excitement and uncertainty that comes with new experiences. The singles that followed, “Slow Motions” and “History”, continued to develop a rich sound and maintain the thematic sense of tension present in the EP. The leading single, “Anywhere We Want To” was a feature for Izotope’s recording device, Spire.
Paper Citizen’s 2nd EP, Distraction, was released in September 2018 and was inspired by the music Claire loved growing up, pop and rock music of the late 90s. This EP reflected her experiences moving to a new country including learning the difference between eastern and western cultures, discovering new music, falling in love, heartbreak, the feeling of loneliness, and taking steps to adopt a new home away from home. While being very personal, Distraction reflected on the impact of modern technology on our lives, moving between a deep sense of isolation and, on the other hand, constant interconnectedness. In 2019, Gohst moved to Los Angeles to continue her musical journey and produced her 3rd Paper Citizen EP. Now, she is proud and excited to announce her newest release Scratching the Surface this Spring.
Photo by MK Sadler
