In December 2020, Connor and I wrote a project that we thought no one would ever hear. We wondered what we would make if we were able to draw on the music & art that inspires us without worrying about clearing samples. Looking back, I also think this prompt was a way for us to free ourselves from thinking about how what we make will be shared and instead have a process that feels like we are making a forever secret for ourselves. What resulted is an album titled ‘Clear.’ It’s a project of love dedicated to all the artists who kept our imaginations open even when our physical world was shut down.
Clear - A Note From my producer Connor
To all the artists whose work is sampled on this project: if you are reading this then this project has traveled farther than I ever imagined. I am humbled to know you’re listening and hope that you feel my curiosity and playfulness when hearing your work re-contextualized. It brought me so much joy to live in the worlds you all created and so much inspiration to be able to collage them together as a starting place for “Clear”. Thank you for dedicating your lives to creating imaginary places for people like me to get lost in. If any of you are offended by the way I used your work, or if you feel entitled to compensation in exchange for using your work, or 🤞🏼 if you just enjoyed listening I would LOVE to hear from you. connorschultze@gmail.com
To the labels, movie studios & anyone else who owns these artists’ material and feels entitled to compensation: that email above is obviously not my email please don’t try it.
To Paul, Alex & Jeremy: I’ve had some of my fondest memories making music with you and it makes me so happy you all are a part of this project. To many more moments together
To Scotty: The time Jess & I spent in your studio finishing this project is a moment in time we both hold preciously
To Jess: Thank you for making a creative space with no limits, for encouraging and enabling this project to be made even though we knew from the start it would never have a formal release
Samples:
Boyz II Men
On Bended Knee - No Hands
Doin' Just Fine - Waking Up to Dream
Uhh Ahh - Everything
Oh Well - Levitate
In My Life - Levitate
I Only Have Eyes for You - Blue Noon
Never Go Away - Blue Noon
The Meters
Jungle Man - Blue Noon
Bill Withers
Kissing My Love - No Hands
Black Street
Once in a Lifetime - Wildest Dreams
The Otis + Carla Band
Tramp - Can't Love You
Jagged Edge
He Can't Love You - Can't Love You
Fleetwood Mac
Dreams - Same Thing
Mary Jane Girls
All Night Long - Same Thing
Love
Doggone - Waking Up to Dream
Bernard Purdie
Lightyears Away - Wildest Dreams
Movies/TV:
Plein Soleil
The American Friend
Boogie Nights
The Office
Stepbrothers
Credits:
All Songs Written By Jess Best & Connor Schultze
All Songs contain uncleared samples as shown above
Connor Schultze (Producer, Mixing Engineer, Bass & Guitar all tracks)
No Hands - Jeremy Dutton (Drums)
Sour Cherry - Alex Graff (CoWriter, Electric Guitar) Jeremy Dutton (Drums)
Wildest Dreams - Jeremy Dutton (Drums)
Obey - Paul Bloom (Keys), Micah Hummel (Drums)
Recorded at our favorite studio in Greenpoint // Trial & Error Studios in LA
Mastered By Mike Fossenkemper Turtle Tone Studios