Atlanta’s 365 party girls Coco & Clair Clair have been delivering sharp lyrics and soaring beats since 2013, and with a new album and tour There is no sign of slowdown on the horizon.
From her viral track “Pretty,” which went viral on TikTok in 2017, to her debut album Sexy In 2022, Coco & Clair Clair has taken the music world by storm and made a name for themselves with their signature blend of sarcastic and witty lyricism paired with an ethereal, airy sound.
However, it somehow feels like the alt-pop duo are still just a couple of friends throwing house parties, shopping for nice clothes and making beats together. We caught up with Coco & Clair Clair ahead of their new album. Girl: This is what happened.
If your next album, Girl If you were a girl, what kind of girl would you be?
C: This is the kind of girl who has a very long block list. And this is also the kind of girl who has a very long “My Devices” list on her Bluetooth.
CC: She is mysterious, your favorite party friend, very nice and very sexy.
The album name, Girl feels quite timely given the amount of online discussion about girlhood, female friendships, and the widespread “I’m just a girl” mentality. What do you think about the current discussion surrounding “girls” and “girlhood”?
C: I don’t use TikTok or watch Reels or anything like that so I don’t know what this discussion is about. I’m 28 unfortunately but I hope they say good things about girls. We rock 😉
CC: So… yeah… that’s a huge coincidence that we didn’t think about or put any effort into, but it’s great. I’m glad that people are talking about girlhood and finding new, better ways to navigate it and make it work for them. I just want girls to feel safe and cool and for everyone to be nice and happy.
We know you as the ultimate besties, making music together that also appeals to other duos. Since the friendship bracelet has become a bit overused, how do best friends fit together these days?
C: Matching pendants, why not!
CC: We have a tradition of shopping for jewelry together after a release or major milestone, and buying something made of gold. I like gold because of what it represents – compassion, wisdom, luck, etc. – and I know it’s something we’ll have forever. Even if the pieces don’t match, it’s nice to look down at my bracelet or ring and think of our friendship and all of our shared accomplishments.
Your sound is so ethereal, but your lyrics have bite. They’re about “calling people names,” “packing knives,” and “fucking around.” What do you find appealing about this contrast?
C: Girls just want to have fun.
CC: We really do.
What do you think is “in” this summer and what is definitely “out”?
C: In: Flip-flops, French pedicures, gimlets, Love Island USAPsilo gummy bears, silence, lots of fluids, boho braids, watching the sunset. Out: loafers, paying for gas, vodka sodas, Netflix, ketamine, Law and Order SVU (season ended).
CC: I support all of that, but will add more. In: knowing his bra size, Inside Out 2, peppermint tea, Free People, playing pickleball with parents, and sunbathing by the pool (I finally get the appeal). Out: drama, shitposting, cilantro, and narcissism.
Atlanta, where you both come from, is famous for giving rise to so much hyper-masculine rap. What was it like for you to approach the rap scene from a new perspective and adopt an alt-pop-meets-glam rap style? Was it challenging or do you feel like people have been waiting for this?
C: It took a while for people to understand what we’re doing, but since starting this project we’ve been continually surprised by how many people have gotten it and are real fans of what we’re doing. I don’t know if anyone was waiting for this, but I’m glad it’s resonating.
CC: Our approach was pretty unintentional. I wish I could say we really thought about it, but the truth is we’ve always just been ourselves and made the kind of music we felt like at the time, and I think people respond really well to that. But like Coco said, people didn’t really “get” us at first, so it was definitely difficult navigating the music scene in the early stages of our career because it’s so male-dominated and men hate when women do things differently or, dare I say, better than them. But we’ve always had some sort of fan base, whether it was our friends or strangers online, and that’s kept us going. I think people just like our vibe… I don’t know if they’ve been waiting for us, but I’m glad we’re standing out as something new and refreshing.
What trend are you currently obsessed with?
C: I watched the show again Girlfriends and I’m obsessed with the little babydoll tops from 2000 that are trending right now. I finally bought one on eBay and it looked awful on me.
CC: Wear scarves as skirts, tops, belts, whatever.
The club scene is currently experiencing its biggest revival in recent years. Women in particular are looking for new places for nightlife where they can listen to the music they like. Where do you like to party the most at the moment?
C: Johnny’s Hideaway in Atlanta.
CC: Yes, Johnny’s Hideaway or a house party. In my opinion, there’s nothing better than a good house party.
If you could send a gift to each of your fans, what would you choose?
C: A CD of our new album along with a shot glass with the words “HIT ME WITH YOUR BEST SHOT” written on it in red letters.
Credit card: $1,000
Finally, is there anything else you are looking forward to that you can share with us?
C: We’re going on tour, baby. See you soon.
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