You may have heard us playing Axis Rus by Clay Joule on Phoenix FM recently – it’s a great tune with some amazing reviews on Music Farmer 5, Indie Band Guru, African Hype and Sonic Realms.

But who is Clay? We caught up with him to find out more about his life and music.

Tell us a little bit about your yourself?

I’m an American musician and artist. I started my musical journey as a singer/drummer similar to Phil Collins. I mainly produce my new releases in my own farm-studio, often as Clay Joule & Truwan Studio.

When did you first start to develop a passion for music?

I started my passion for music in Junior High School back in New York City, and I started practising drums from the age of 12. In Grade 7 I started to engage in rap battles in schoolyard and street with my peers.

Those days secured the foundation of my singing-drummer ability. You can check out one of my live takes on singing-drumming:

Which artists did you listen to while growing up?

I have a broad range in what I listen to, and I also listen to bands and artists from various languages and genres as well. Although I have had a wide range of interests, I seldom disclose who and what my favourite band or artists are – I’m just very passionate in great tunes.

How would you describe your music to someone who hasn’t heard you before?

I write and make music for global issues and humanity aspects. My songs are for the purpose of inspiring movers and shakers around the world.

What music have you recorded and released to date?

You can find my recent releases on YouTube and Spotify.

Which artists do you enjoy listening to at the moment – and do they influence your work?

I’ve recently been playing David & Romany Gilmour’s new song “Between Two Points” and Andrea Vollenweilder’s old tunes a lot.