You may very well recognise the name Clare Grogan from her impact on Scotland’s new wave 80s music scene with the band Altered Images. Or perhaps you are familiar with her work as an actress for films such as Gregory’s Girl and Comfort and Joy. Either way, Grogan has had an impact both musically and through her work as an actress across Scotland, and we were lucky enough to catch up with her before her set at this year’s Rewind 2022.
Hello Clare! So you are from Glasgow?
Yes, I am!
What was it like growing up creating music in the 80s and 90s in Glasgow specifically?
Well, to be honest with you, back in the early 80s, just about everyone was in a band. So it didn’t seem that unusual. I think for me what was the unique part of it was that the summer I left school I got a major record deal and I made Gregory’s Girl. And I call it my double whammy.
But all my pals were in bands; my pals were the Bluebells and Simple Minds. And it just didn’t seem that odd to be in a band. There was something in the air in Glasgow at that point, cause A&R guys just couldn’t wait to sign all of us.
Was it more difficult being a woman in the scene?
I think it was a very male-dominated industry back then, and I think it still is now. Although I think it’s getting a lot better. One of the reasons I decided to walk away from Altered Images was I got really lonely being the only girl. This is no discredit to the boys either! It’s just I am a bit of a girls’ girl as well, and sometimes I did just feel like I was their annoying wee sister. You know. They were really lovely to me.
Eventually I just got so fed up of being the girl. I really did. I think it was tricky, but when you are young and naive, it’s difficult. I wouldn’t put up with so much now that I did back then. I am a lot more assertive now than I was. But back then I was a lot more gobby and cheeky!
So you are an actress as well! What is it like switching between the music stuff and the acting?
The thing is, I really like working. Sometimes people ask me to choose between the two, and I never ever can because I love them both and they have both been incredibly good to me. It is different; it really is. Going on stage and being a lead singer is the best feeling in the world – if that’s what you want to do with your life. And I love that!
Equally, I love acting. I’m just maybe a terrible showoff! Maybe that’s what it is! Being the leading lady in a play is such a buzz. I’ve been really fortunate, and I like to think that I have done it on my own terms. I think I’ve been quite good at just going, ‘that’s not going to work for me,’ and as a result of that I’ve kept going, and I’ve gravitated towards like-minded people. Most of the people I’ve worked with are really cool. Which is great as well. I think it’s very important to see your worth, but also keep really grounded about all of it.
Fantastic advice! So obviously we’ve been in the pandemic for the past couple of years; how have you kept yourself creative during this time?
Well, for the first lockdown I literally watched every box set known to man, drank wine, and ate all the crisps. Then, the second one, I decided I couldn’t repeat that experience. And I had this pause, and it gave me space in my head to start writing again.
My husband Stephen Lironi is an incredible record producer, and so I said to Stephen that I would really like to write a song. I wrote a song called ‘The Colour Of My Dreams,’ and that song has grown into this album of songs that is coming out at the end of August called ‘Mascara Streets’. And I’ve worked with Bernard Butler and Bobby Bluebell & my husband Stephen Lironi, and it’s magical!
Fantastic, that sounds amazing! Thank you so much for joining us, and we can’t wait to catch your set with Altered Images at this year’s Rewind!
“Thank you! It will be short but sweet, but I am really looking forward to it!”
News and updates from the Perth Life editorial team.
