Influences: French Producer CLARAA Traces Her Melodic House Roots For ‘No Fear’ On Connected Frontline
- 5 days ago
- 4 min read
French producer CLARAA continues her upward trajectory with ‘No Fear’, a melodic house collaboration with GHSTNR released on Connected Frontline, the imprint founded by Stereo MC’s.
Built on percussive momentum, emotive synth work, and spoken word depth, the record captures the balance that has defined her rise across Europe’s underground circuit. Her productions draw equally from afro house, melodic techno, and groove-driven minimalism, shaped by years of close listening and careful refinement. Buy/Stream it here: https://lnk.to/NoFear_.
To understand how that identity formed, CLARAA looks back at five records that left a lasting mark on her creative direction, each one contributing to the rhythmic language, emotional depth, and sense of movement that now define her sound.
Danny Tenaglia - Elements
"I first heard “Elements” as a child, sitting in my dad’s car while my older brother played his latest discoveries. Those long drives between my parents’ homes became quiet rituals of musical initiation, moments where I unknowingly began absorbing Techno, House and progressive music. This track was my first true encounter with percussive house. The groove itself becomes the narrative: cowbells, toms, shakers, congas, bongos, rim hits, each element weaving together in a hypnotic dialogue. I remember realising that rhythm could be storytelling. That understanding has never left me. Percussion still sits at the heart of my productions. I’m always searching for that same rolling, tribal pulse that feels both grounding and transportive."
Merv - Melted Vein
"Around that same period, I discovered “Melted Vein.” I was about ten years old, and its dub-infused, spaced-out atmosphere struck me deeply, perhaps because I was also immersed in old-school hip-hop at the time. I began sensing a bridge between these worlds, connected through groove and low-end weight. There’s something beautifully submerged about this record. It feels like it’s floating, yet it remains anchored by rhythm. That sense of width and depth is something I consciously pursue in my own work. I love when a mix feels enveloping and textural, but still controlled and punchy. “Melted Vein” taught me that subtlety can be powerful, and that space itself is an instrument."
Rodamaal ft. Claudio Franco - Insomnia (Âme Remix)
"I first heard Âme’s remix of “Insomnia” at The Electric Pickle in Miami in 2014, and it genuinely felt like a new world opening in front of me. The room was dark, the sound system was powerful, and the track carried this poised balance of restraint and emotion. It felt cinematic without ever losing the groove. That night taught me that tension can also emerge from harmony, patience, and timing. Later, discovering that the original by Rocco Rodamaal was already incredible made it even more inspiring. After that experience, I started learning to DJ in my bedroom, and my hunger for music became even more consuming. It was also when Innervisions truly came onto my radar and participated in my musical direction."
Manoo - The Dub
"I discovered “The Dub” while digging through DJ sets in 2018, and it immediately stood out. Manoo’s groove is unmistakable, fluid, warm, and deeply alive. There’s a constant sense of forward motion in his productions that feels effortless yet intentional. That movement has profoundly influenced how I construct my percussion and top layers. I’m always chasing a groove that remains hypnotic but never static. That day, I dove into Manoo’s catalogue and realised how many of his tracks I already knew and loved, without even noticing the connection. Playing his music became instinctive for me, and it ultimately solidified the groove that now shapes my own sound. I’ve admired him ever since, and it remains an honour to have worked with him on my EP Horizon. His remixes are extraordinary."
Henrik Schwarz & Bugge Wesseltoft - In Spite of Everything
"The first time I heard “In Spite of Everything” on its release in 2020, it felt as though time had paused. I was transported somewhere strangely familiar, like stepping into a memory I hadn’t yet lived. The piece never forces its emotion. Instead, it unfolds gently and organically. I remember feeling close to tears before a quiet smile emerged, and that emotional shift is exactly what I strive to evoke in my own music. This record became truly important to me. It’s tender and melodic, deeply human, yet it still carries a subtle, cinematic electronic weight underneath. I completely fell in love with this masterpiece. Starting production that year felt inevitable. I needed to make my own music, to translate those emotions into sound. Henrik Schwarz remains one of my greatest influences, particularly in how he bridges classical sensitivity with electronic depth."
These influences reveal an artist shaped by patience and emotional awareness as much as technical discipline. From early exposure to hypnotic percussion through to cinematic melodic compositions that sparked her transition into production, each record helped establish the foundations she continues to build on today.
With ‘No Fear’ marking a new chapter on Connected Frontline and further support growing around her releases and DJ sets, CLARAA’s trajectory reflects an artist grounded in intention, guided by instinct, and committed to evolving her voice within modern melodic house.
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