Interview: Claire Hamilton
Northern Ireland worship leader Claire Hamilton released a six-song album titled 'Introducing Claire Hamilton' earlier this year. LTTM caught up with the young and extremely gifted songwriter to find out more about her, and her good friends the Rend Collective Experiment.
For those who haven't heard of you before, can you tell us a little bit about yourself and how you got involved in making music?
Well, I'm Claire Hamilton. I'm from a wee town called Coleraine in the north coast of Ireland where I lived until I moved to Belfast for university in 1999 and then to work at Our Lady & St Patrick's College as a music teacher. I'm married to David who plays guitar on the record and we love food, wine, music, travel, reading and just hanging out with people.
I started piano lessons when I was 6 and then took singing lessons in my early teens before going on to study music at university. I started using my music in worship in my late teens through an organisation called Exodus before joining Causeway Coast Vineyard Church where I played with Kathryn Scott and eventually started leading worship there with Kathryn as my worship pastor! (a great way to begin as a female worship leader!) I started songwriting about 4 or 5 years ago and had some of my first songs and co-writes recorded on Johnny Parks' album 'Break the Silence' which was a huge privilege. Now I'm working away in Belfast and part of Christian Fellowship Church Belfast where I lead worship alongside some great people.
That's kinda my bio but actually I just love hanging out with people, shopping for clothes, teaching music, cooking and baking and then inviting people in to eat it!
Earlier this year the Introducing Claire Hamilton EP was released, tell us a little bit about the songs on that and what the inspiration behind them was?
The songs on 'Introducing' are a combination of songs written over the last 3 years. They are 'overflow' songs which isn't a technical term (but maybe it will be now). They were songs that simply came as an overflow of my personal worship time apart from 'In View of Your Mercy' which was birthed during worship at one of our church plants in Antrim, NI. 'Lend Me Your Heart' was written as a result of a week of prayer and fasting. I was hoping that might become a formula for writing a good song but God doesn't seem to be letting me away with that one. 'Breathe on Me' is one of the more direct and moving songs on the EP and was really my cry during a time when I was watching someone I knew face a terminal illness at the age of 29. Isn't that our desire? To worship through suffering, to have his praise on our lips at all times. It's something I've come to face a number of times in my life so far.
What's your song writing process?
I think I've maybe answered this as honestly I sit down to worship and just let songs begin to flow. Some songs are co-writes and so I guess this changes the dynamic slightly. When I get stuck I just put the song to rest for a while and come back when I'm not feeling too pressurised and see what bubbles up. If nothing comes after a few returns to the song I decide on someone who might feel cool with the theme of the song and ask them to take part in crafting the song further. So, I got stuck with 'In View of Your Mercy' and so Mr Ben Cantelon (O Happy Day/Love Came Down) had already suggested writing with me so I took him up on the offer.
If you could work with any song writer, who would it be and why?
First time I've had this question... I have loved co-writing with Johnny Parks because he spends a lot of time pushing for better, crafting and refining until we really feel we have achieved something great. I'd love to write with anyone who has a real heart for the Lord, who is humble and who feels compelled to write songs that teach us about our attitude and response to the poor and broken. I guess Brenton Brown is the one worship songwriter who has done this in a way that has really impacted me (Humble King). It'd be amazing to write with some local people who haven't had much experience and just give them the confidence and a step up in their goals around songwriting.
Who are your musical influences?
Some of my favourite bands/artists are: The National, Sigur Ros, Bjork, Pheonix, Thom York, Tom Waits and The Weepies (to name a few). In terms of worship music I'm enjoying the songs coming from Bethel at the moment and have enjoyed some Hillsongs music e.g. Beautiful Exchange.
In your opinion, what makes the perfect worship song?
A song that is honest. I love songs that reveal who He is and leave us with no other choice than to just worship Him - those songs still tend to be hymns for me. I love songs that just allow us to ask for His presence and allow us to wait.
In addition to your solo work, you're also involved with Rend Collective Experiment who seem to really have soared in popularity in the past year. What has that been like?
This is a question I've been asked a lot recently particularly since their recent tour with Chris Tomlin. They are great guys and girls! Some of them play for me and so I guess what I love is that they are true to the vision that they are a collective. They have given themselves to worship outside of what they do as a band and blessed me (among others) with their talent and skill on my record and in the local church on Sunday. I enjoy my time with them so much because I love to worship and worshipping with friends is precious. There is a presence of God when they lead worship and that is why I'm on board! I suppose it still feels funny getting asked a question like this when we're all just friends but I'm super pleased that people are hearing what they have written because it is good!
What advice would you give to any aspiring worship leaders or songwriters out there?
Just lead worship. Lead at your local church and serve there faithfully, protecting the unity of the church and encouraging those who work alongside you. We don't worship to become a worship leader necessarily or someone who records and becomes known. We worship because we are made in the image of God so worship is part of who we are and what we need to do because He deserves our worship. Learn to worship in the hard times, grow in loving those around you and submit yourself to helping the poor and broken.
You're stuck on an island, it's hot, you only have enough battery life left to listen to one song on your mp3 player. What track is it?
Well, if it has to be one of my songs I'd probably be stuck between 'Breathe on Me', 'Come Satisfy' and 'Lend Me Your Heart' but if it was any song it would probably be... 'About Today' by The National.
What does the next year hold for Claire Hamilton?
The next year holds lots of fun and opportunity (despite my 30th birthday coming up). I'll be taking a team of people to Cambodia next summer to build houses so I am going to be giving much of my time to this. (all sponsorship welcome!) I'm supporting Matt Redman in a few weeks here in Belfast and hopefully making a few stops in England in the next few months (all other invites are welcome!). I'm going to be leading worship at my church more regularly again after the summer and I would probably need to finish some songs and get ready to record the next album. It's going to be full and exciting!
