Chicago Artist Clairice Embraces ‘all parts’ of Herself on New EP, Celebrates Massive Year

This year is shaping up to be one of the most eventful in Chicago-based artist Clairice‘s career. The singer-songwriter just released her first EP under her new stage name (technically, her middle name!), after previously performing for years under the name E Woods. 

The EP, Patient On Me, was released on May 9. The four-track EP, which features the title track, is deeply inspired by R&B, and an interesting blend of the genre along with soul and alt-pop. The EP is oozing with sensuality and Clairice’s rich voice is a standout.

To celebrate the EP’s release, Clairice is performing a release show at Sleeping Village in Chicago on June 21, alongside Carlile and Rhea the Second.

Oh, and if that wasn’t enough, she’s also playing Lollapalooza—the city’s largest annual music festival, which also features headliners including Olivia Rodrigo, Sabrina Carpenter and Tyler, the Creator.

We had the opportunity to speak to Clairice over email before her EP release show at Chicago’s Sleeping Village on June 21, and talked about how she feels now that the EP is out in the world, her work process and her exciting summer schedule. 

Staged Haze: Congrats on your debut EP. What does it feel like having officially released it to the world? 

Clairice: I honestly am feeling really proud of myself. Patient On Me is just the beginning of much more music to come and has been about four years in the making. 

SH: What was one of the most exciting things about releasing your EP? 

Clairice: Seeing how people are impacted by it. People reaching out who have been following my music for some time now and noticing the tonal shift and the intention that was put into this project. 

SH: Can you tell us about the process of creating it? 

Clairice: I didn’t start with the intention of releasing an EP, to be honest. Four years ago I wrote “Grab That,” which is a song dedicated to manifesting bigger opportunities and not being afraid to claim them. So technically the project started 4 years ago but I didn’t know it. Then I wrote the other tracks in a kind of organic and intuitive way. When “Patient On Me” was finally done I had realized that I had documented my experience of moving through a tough and transitory time in my life, through all of these tracks. Together they all tell a story of the last four years of my life. 

SH: You released the EP about six weeks before your upcoming release show. Did that help to factor in how you want to perform? Are you looking at which songs people are into the most? 

Clairice: I knew that I wanted to have an EP release show. So I had planned to have it six weeks after in hopes that it would give people the opportunity to relate to the music and bring their personal attachment to the songs to the show. I don’t think the feedback has influenced what it is that I’m doing for Sleeping Village, because there’s a lot of new music in the set that I’m excited to share. But, I do think similar to the journey of the EP, I am trying to embody that similar story telling in how we have arranged the music as a whole and added some theatrical elements. Sleeping Village is going to be a certified party and experience. I’m excited to share the Clairice experience with everyone. 

SH: This isn’t your first music release. You previously performed as E Woods. What led to that change, and how are you approaching things differently now? 

Clairice: RIP E WOODS! Well, first thing, Clairice is my middle name and a name I had a hard time stepping into and owning as I was growing up. Someone would say my middle name and I’d be like “ew.” I felt like there was a regalness or moodiness attached to that name and I didn’t know how to own it. 

Then, I dated this man back in 2023 and every time I was in my full confidence and commanding space he would be like “OKAY, CLAIRICE” in this kind of celebratory way that made me love my bossy and moody parts a bit more. 

As I continued writing music, I started moving away from this “positive only” soul funk sound that was E Woods and was writing in a way that embraced my full spectrum of emotion. I was embracing the parts of myself that I maybe had previously judged. So Clairice just kind of felt like a reclamation of all the parts of me, embracing all of me without judgement. 

SH: You’re a Chicago-based artist, you’re having your debut at Sleeping Village. How does it feel to have the support of your hometown in this release? 

Clairice: Technically, I’ve only been here since 2011. I’m really from the St. Louis area, but I was kind of raised by Chicago. And it feels amazing to be continuously more and more embraced by this vibrant and inspiring city and the music community here. I would not be making this music if it wasn’t for Chicago. 

Sleeping Village was only the right spot to do it, as one of the best venues in the city. Not only do they have the capacity to hold space for all the theatrical elements I’m bringing to the table on this one, but also they truly respect and value the local scene and do their best to give us resources and lift us up in a way I have not seen from other local venues. 

SH: You’re also performing at Lollapalooza, the city’s biggest music festival. How does that feel and how are you preparing? 

Clairice: GAAAAAHHH. I am excited. It’s gonna be fun. Right now all of my efforts are going into Sleeping Village but I can’t wait to continue the momentum at Lolla and hopefully show some of this music to a whole new audience. 

SH: You got the slot by winning the Chicago Made Showcase. Can you tell us a bit about that experience? 

Clairice: The Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events [DCASE] throws a competition every year and a friend of mine had reached out and said “Hey, I think this would be great for you.” Personally, I hate competitions when it comes to art. It takes me out of the intuitiveness of my craft and I can get a little more in my head and overthink choices instead of just existing. But the thing is, I was ready to be in an atmosphere where I was going to be judged. I have worked really hard and I’ve been in my own little bubble of friends and fans and so pushing myself to do something like this in front of strangers who were there to legitimately judge me, I surprised myself. I was surprised by how prepared for the moment I actually was and met a lot of other amazing Chicago talent across many different genres. The city has a lot to offer and it was inspiring.  

SH: You already have a pretty full and exciting summer. Do you have anything else coming up in the future that you’re excited for? 

Clairice: Lots of new music. More is coming, and to be honest it just keeps getting better, in my opinion. Looking forward to playing more shows this year, hoping to perform a little out of the city as well, and getting back to writing new material as I work on an album. I’m excited for the journey ahead of me and this is just the beginning. 

Grab tickets Clairice’s release show HERE

Clairice will be performing at this year’s Lollapalooza, apart of the Chicago Made showcase, on Thursday, July 31 at 2:15pm at the Tito’s Stage.