In celebration of Women’s History Month, Atwood Magazine has called on artists to contribute essays that reflect on identity, music, culture, inclusion, and related themes.
•• •• •• ••
Today, Claire Molek, vocalist and songwriter from Friend of a Friend, shares five influential women artists who have inspired her and shaped her journey as an artist in a special contribution to Atwood Magazine’s Women’s History Month series!
Friend of a Friend, the duo comprising Claire Molek and Jason Savsani, will be releasing their third album, ‘Desire!’, this April. The album is a deep and layered exploration of longing, transformation, and connection, infused with the unique and unsettling energy of the location where it was recorded. Renowned for their distinctive mix of cinematic synthscapes, tactile rhythms, and raw, expressive vocals, the duo expands their sound and thematic depth more than ever before in a record that feels both haunting and vibrant.
With ‘Desire!’, Friend of a Friend refines their sonic identity while incorporating a broader palette that harmonizes the cinematic with the personal. The duo describes the album as a culmination of lessons from their past works — ‘In Arms’ and ‘FACILITIES’ — steering their sound into new, more intentional realms. “We’ve always engaged with grand concepts, but this time we concentrated on clarity,” Claire elaborates. “We aimed for every layer and every texture to contribute to the narrative.”
Through ‘Desire!’, Friend of a Friend showcases their growth as musicians and storytellers, delivering an album that resonates in the spaces between tension and beauty. The outcome is an immersive and purposeful work that highlights their musical creativity and their talent for crafting a vivid, otherworldly atmosphere — eerie and cinematic, as if stepping into a film where each sound tells a story.
‘Desire’ will be released on April 25th via Earth Libraries. You can listen to Friend of a Friend’s latest tracks wherever you stream music and read more about Claire Molek’s inspirations and influences in her special Women’s History Month article below!
•• ••
by Claire Molek
Art cannot exist outside of its context.
With our album release approaching next month, I’ve spent time reflecting on how musicians have influenced and healed me over the years — particularly the women artists who inspired me to step on stage. My life is significantly enriched by their contributions, and I hold this reality dear to my heart. Thank you, mothers!
Rosalía
Motomami is my favorite album that has been released in a long time, and I believe Rosalía’s work has fundamentally transformed my understanding of music. She is undoubtedly one of the greatest artists in history. To me, her work should be mandatory in any music curriculum — there is music before Rosalía and after Rosalía. She is the GOAT of GOATS.
FKA Twigs
FKA Twigs has profoundly inspired me since the release of LP1. Tahliah’s vocal control and physical discipline are astonishing; everything she does is both magnificent and graceful yet earth-shattering all at once.
Clara Rockmore
I listened to so much Clara Rockmore this year that Spotify assumed I only enjoyed operatic music. It’s my dream to sound like a theremin. My favorite compilation is Music In and On The Air.
Kim Gordon
Kim Gordon is a pioneer and continues to innovate after all these years. Her new album is incredible. I have “Bye bye” on repeat. She embodies punk spirit, and I hope to achieve her level of cool one day.
Alison Mosshart
A pivotal moment in my life occurred while watching Alison Mosshart deliver an electrifying intimate performance with The Kills, where I felt free to dance for the first time and realized I had the permission to be myself. I will always cherish that experience and remain grateful to her. She is one of the most dynamic performers I’ve ever witnessed.
•• ••
:: connect with Friend of a Friend here ::
•• ••
Atwood Magazine's Women’s History Month Series
•• •• •• ••
Connect with Friend of a Friend on
Instagram, TikTok, Facebook
Discover new music on Atwood Magazine
📸 © courtesy of the artist
Stream Friend of a Friend
Canadian jazz musician Maria Solena presents a heartfelt essay detailing her musical journey, encompassing her upbringing, influences, songwriting methods, and experiences as an independent artist, as part of Atwood Magazine's Women's History Month series!
The duo's first collaborative album will be released next month.
It's a timeless love tale featuring lead singer Sebastian Murphy and, well, a mummified body.
Electronic artist aya has released her new album 'hexed!' in its entirety. The producer's diverse talents were showcased on her debut album 'im hole', which was launched on
Becca Harvey from Atlanta, also known as girlpuppy, shares her thoughts on self-discovery, the end of friendships, and the distinctive approach she took while creating her second album, 'Sweetness.'
The musician and actress will perform at several festivals this Summer, in addition to headlining shows in London and Belfast.
Singer and songwriter Claire Molek from Friend of a Friend highlights five influential female artists who have inspired her and influenced her artistic journey in a special article for Atwood Magazine's Women's History Month series!