She’s An Island, Out On Her Own*

Your’s a fortune, mine’s a fire

Your’s a forest, mine’s the sky

Your’s a whisper, mine’s a cry

You’ve got to live some way and die

Your’s by fortune, mine’s a fire **

* from ‘Mainland’, written by Josienne Clarke. ** from ‘Fire & Fortune’ written by Josienne Clarke

Over the past 4+ yrs my career has gone through a seismic shift, all my own doing, but difficult none the less.

I left the duo because I simply could not work in a toxic environment any longer. Those in it & around it, who benefited from it, tried to dissuade me. I am so pleased I did.

I left a big record label because it is simply not financially viable to be offered increasingly small amounts of money for more work they retain ownership of forever. All the while being told to “manage your expectations”.
I started my own tiny label &… I’m so pleased I did.

I Started recording & performing solo again after 10 yrs. It was hard to believe in myself, particularly my ability to hold a room for hrs with just me & my limited guitar skills (10 yrs without a positive word of encouragement will make you think you’re limited). I’m so pleased I did.

I shed many colleagues, I lost many ‘friends’. I became an “unreasonable woman”. I cut my network back to only a few truly trusted people. I’ve had a lot of therapy. It’s been hard & lonely & stressful but… I’m so pleased I did it.

You do not have to be uncomfortable, uncared for &/or unhappy to be successful 💗

I’d like to thank SGO Music my publisher for helping me navigate difficult professional terrain. They’ve supported me with kindness, humanity & understanding rarely afforded artists in this industry and of course Alec Bowman-Clarke, my husband (a creative & a human in his own right) for helping me escape & always knowing why I needed to.

Your’s a fortune, mine’s a fire

You’ve got to live some way and die

So your’s by fortune, mine’s a fire

Your’s a forest, mine’s the sky

You’ve got to look right in or hide your eyes

So your’s a forest, mine’s the sky

Your’s a whisper, mine’s a cry

You’ve got to let it out or let it die

So your’s a whisper, mine’s a cry

Your’s a fortune, mine’s a fire

You’ve got to live some way and die

So your’s by fortune, mine’s a fire

Written by Josienne Clarke 2012