Interview with Jaycee Clark: The Visionary Behind Blank Era

Photo Credit: Dan Lee

Welcome to Hawk-IT Interviews today I have visionary and frontwoman Jaycee from Blank Era. Blank Era is a Nashville-based band BLANK ERA is the brainchild of vocalist Jaycee Clark, and rounded out by drummer Rob Cossey and guitarist Kandon Monk. Blending the grit of nu-metal, grunge, and modern rock, they deliver an unapologetically chaotic sound, turning emotional wreckage into loud, unfiltered anthems for anyone rewriting their story on their own terms.

Let's begin this interview!!

Amit Ahuja: To begin at the very roots of your story, take us back to your earliest memories. Paint a picture of the environments you grew up in—your hometowns, the culture that surrounded you, the energy of those spaces, and the sense of community (or lack thereof). What were those formative years really like on a day-to-day level? And how did those early experiences—the people you encountered, the challenges you faced, and the opportunities you were given—shape you emotionally and creatively as you moved through childhood and into your teenage years?

Jaycee Clark: As a painfully shy, socially anxious, and introverted kid, I grew up feeling a little out of place. Instead of going out and making friends, I spent a lot of time at home with my brother watching MTV, VH1, and Fuse, obsessing over my favorite artists and pop culture in general.

As I got older, I started putting on my own concerts in my bedroom, writing lyrics, and creating artwork for fake albums. Music was always the thing that made me feel understood when I didn’t really know how to express myself otherwise.

Amit Ahuja: Now, with the benefit of hindsight, how do you see those formative years influencing the person—and the artist—you’ve become today? In what ways did your upbringing shape your worldview, your emotional depth, and your resilience? And how do those early influences continue to inform the way you approach creativity, storytelling, and self-expression in your music now?

Jaycee Clark: I think those experiences taught me how to become my own cheerleader. A lot of people made fun of me for wanting to pursue music because I wasn’t considered “cool” or popular, but over time I realized that other people’s expectations don’t have to define who you become.

A huge part of Blank Era is about refusing to stay trapped in an identity that no longer feels true to you, and I think that mindset came directly from growing through those formative years.

Amit Ahuja: Let’s talk about your musical journey. When did music first enter your life in a way that felt meaningful or transformative? Was there a specific moment, memory, or experience that marked the shift from simply listening to music to feeling a deep need to create it yourself?

Jaycee Clark: Music always mattered to me, but I think the shift happened when I realized songs could say the things I didn’t know how to say out loud. I remember hearing artists who made pain, anger, insecurity, and vulnerability feel powerful instead of shameful and that changed everything for me. Creating music became less about wanting attention and more about connection and feeling understood.

Amit Ahuja: Looking back, were there specific female artists or frontwomen who made you feel seen, understood, or inspired artists who showed you what was possible for someone like you? In what ways did their presence influence the way you approached your own artistry?

Jaycee Clark: Artists like Gwen Stefani, Shirley Manson, Maria Brink and Hayley Williams really inspired me because they weren’t afraid to be emotional, theatrical, aggressive, feminine, messy, or vulnerable all at once. Seeing women take up space unapologetically, especially in rock music, made me feel like there was room for someone like me too.

Amit Ahuja: Now that you’re in that position yourself, do you feel a sense of awareness or responsibility when it comes to the impact you might have on listeners—especially younger fans who may be discovering their own voice through your music?

Jaycee Clark: I definitely think about that impact. I never want listeners to feel alone in what they’re going through. If my music helps someone feel seen or gives them permission to reclaim themselves, that means everything to me.

Amit Ahuja: As you began developing your own sound, what initially drew you toward the genre you’re rooted in today? Beyond the technical elements—the heaviness, the structure—what was it about the culture surrounding that genre? The emotion, the aesthetic, the sense of identity or belonging—what resonated with you on a deeper, more personal level?

Jaycee Clark: More than anything else, it was the honesty. There’s something really powerful about music that allows people to feel ugly emotions out loud instead of hiding them. It just felt human and I connected deeply with the contrast between vulnerability and aggression.

Amit Ahuja: Take us back to the very beginning of Blank Era. How did the three of you first connect, and what were the circumstances that led to the formation of this project? Was there a particular moment where everything clicked—creatively and personally—and it became clear that this was something worth pursuing seriously?

Jaycee Clark: I started Blank Era initially as a solo project during a point where I wasn’t even sure if I wanted to “chase the dream” anymore. I was tying so much of my self-worth to likes, analytics, and making choices to keep everyone happy except myself. Eventually, I started resenting all of it because it was making me miserable. I wrote the ROTTED ep as a way to process a lot of the frustration, grief, and identity loss I was experiencing in real time, and for the first time in a long time, I was creating purely for myself. As I started healing, I found the love and joy in music again because I was finally doing it my way.

Then life brought Rob and Kandon into the picture, and everything clicked creatively and personally. It genuinely felt like the universe telling me it was time to run at this again.

Amit Ahuja: When you first started out, what was your initial vision for the band? Sonically, aesthetically, and thematically—what were you trying to build? And now, looking at where you are today, how closely does that original vision align with your current identity? In what ways have you evolved, and where have you surprised yourselves along the way

Jaycee Clark: The beautiful part of starting over and creating something new was that I put zero pressure on myself. The only goal was to stay true to myself and never box the project into being just one thing. Now that freedom ended up becoming the identity of Blank Era. I’ve always wanted it to feel like a world where evolution is encouraged instead of feared.

Amit Ahuja: Choosing a band name can be a deeply personal and symbolic process. Did you go through multiple ideas before landing on your current name? What made this one feel like the right fit—the one that truly captured who you are?

Jaycee Clark: I knew I wanted it to be “something” era. So it my notes app, I had “[blank] era” typed out with the intention of finding a word to fill it in with. And I tried a bunch, but none of them ever felt like something I wanted to commit to long term. Then it hit me that maybe “blank” was the word I was looking for all along. Because it not only represented new beginnings, but also the freedom to shift into a new era whenever you want.

Amit Ahuja: The band name carries a certain weight—can you unpack the meaning behind it? What does it represent to you on an emotional, philosophical, or artistic level? And how does that meaning tie into the themes that run through your music?

Jaycee Clark: The name Blank Era came from the idea of reclaiming identity and allowing yourself to become whoever you want instead of being boxed in by expectations. To me, it represents a blank page, the freedom to evolve, and rewrite your story. And that concept became the emotional foundation of everything we create

Amit Ahuja: When it comes to songwriting, every band has its own unique chemistry. Can you walk us through your creative process? How does a song typically begin, and how does it evolve into its final form? Do your lyrics and vocal melodies stem more from personal experience and introspection, or do you also draw from broader concepts and narratives? And as a vocalist, what’s something people often misunderstand about that role until they experience it firsthand?

Jaycee Clark: Sometimes it begins with lyrics, sometimes a melody or riff idea, sometimes just a conversation or emotional reaction to something happening in my life. But once the core is there, we build around it collaboratively until we land on something that feels like it serves the song best

A lot of the lyrics come from personal experience and introspection, but I also like personifying situations. I think people sometimes underestimate how emotionally vulnerable being a vocalist can be. Especially when you’re performing songs that require you to reopen the wounds they were born out of

Amit Ahuja: What personal experiences or moments inspired them, and what were you feeling as you wrote them? How did each track evolve from its earliest idea into the final version we hear now? And were there any unexpected challenges, breakthroughs, or turning points that shaped how they ultimately came together?

Jaycee Clark: Most of those songs came from different forms of emotional conflict: betrayal, abandonment, insecurity, resentment, and the complicated process of reclaiming your sense of self.

Amit Ahuja: Looking more closely at the catalog of music you’ve released so far, I’d love to dive deeper into some standout tracks—specifically Apology, Villain Drug, Dead as Hell, Didn’t Expect, and Criminal. Can you take us inside the emotional and creative landscape behind these songs?

Jaycee Clark: “Villain Drug” explores addiction in different forms, whether that’s alcohol, perfectionism, anger, or self-destruction. “Criminal” leans more into isolation as a coping mechanism for depression and insecurity, while tracks like “Didn’t Expect That” and “Dead as Hell” tap into a more reckless, delusional confidence that comes with reclaiming your power.

A huge part of the process was learning how to lean into uncomfortable feelings instead of letting them consume me. I wanted the songs to feel raw, ugly and honest, so a lot of the earliest instincts stayed the final versions.

Amit Ahuja: During the writing and recording process, were there moments that pushed you outside of your comfort zone? Times that felt especially vulnerable, difficult, or even transformative? How did those experiences impact not only the music itself, but also your growth as artists and individuals?

Jaycee Clark: I’m always trying to push myself outside of my comfort zone. I have a rule that if something scares me, I should probably try it.

I think growth comes from allowing yourself to be seen, even when it’s uncomfortable. The more you put yourself out there honestly, the easier it becomes to find the people who genuinely connect with you.

Photo Credit:  Dan Lee

Amit Ahuja: On a deeper level, what does creating music represent for you personally? Is it a form of catharsis, self-discovery, confrontation, healing—or perhaps a combination of all of those things? And how do those emotional states influence what ultimately makes it into your songs?

Jaycee Clark: A lot of the writing process forces me to be honest with myself in ways that are uncomfortable sometimes. Some songs felt genuinely difficult to finish or even listen back to because they required me to tap into emotions I hadn’t fully processed yet.

But usually those are the songs that end up connecting with people the most, because they come from a very real place.

Amit Ahuja: When you strip everything back—the stage, the audience, the expectations—what does being a frontwoman truly mean to you on a personal level? Is it a form of empowerment, a responsibility, a release, a connection—or something more layered and evolving?

Jaycee Clark: Being a frontwoman means embracing every version of myself instead of shrinking to fit expectations. I think heavy music in particular is at its best when people bring their full humanity into it instead of trying to fit a stereotype.

Amit Ahuja: Creativity isn’t always constant—it comes in waves. Have you ever experienced burnout or periods where inspiration felt distant? What helped you reconnect with your creativity during those times?

Jaycee Clark: Absolutely! Creativity comes in waves, and burnout is real, especially when what you create is tied so closely to your emotions. Long hot showers in the dark weirdly help ground me and bring me back into the present. But honestly, sometimes inspiration comes from living life instead of forcing yourself to constantly create.

Amit Ahuja: The idea of femininity in music can be interpreted in so many different ways. How do you personally define it within your artistry, if at all? Do you feel like your presence challenges or redefines certain expectations within your genre?

Jaycee Clark: I never really set out to ‘challenge expectations,’ but I do think existing authentically in this space naturally pushes against certain ideas of what a woman in heavy music is supposed to be

Amit Ahuja: The creative path is rarely straightforward—it’s often filled with rejection, setbacks, and moments of doubt. What advice would you give to emerging artists who are navigating those challenges right now? How can they transform those difficult moments into motivation and long-term growth?

Jaycee Clark: I’d tell emerging artists not to wait for permission to believe in themselves. Unfortunately rejection, criticism, and setbacks are unavoidable, but they don’t define your potential. The most important thing is to stay connected to why you create in the first place. A lot of growth comes from surviving the moments where quitting feels easier

Amit Ahuja: Looking ahead, what does the next chapter hold for you as a band? Are there upcoming releases, collaborations, tours, or new creative directions that you’re especially excited to explore?

Jaycee Clark: We have a ton of new music on the horizon! Our new single “Sick of Feeling” comes out May 22nd, and I’m really excited because it introduces a softer, more emotionally vulnerable side of Blank Era while still keeping that energy people connect with.

We’re also continuing to expand the visual world around the project, and I’m really excited for the day we’re able to fully bring these songs to life on tour.

Amit Ahuja: On a more personal note, who are three individuals—whether in your personal life or within the creative world—who have had a profound impact on you? What lessons did they teach you, and how do those lessons continue to shape the way you live and create today?

Jaycee Clark: It’s hard to narrow it down to just three people, but I think the people who impacted me most are the ones who taught me resilience, honesty, self-belief and to trust my instincts (both personally and creatively.)

But honestly, I’ve also learned a lot from the people who doubted me, rooted against me, or tried to drag me down. In a weird way, they forced me to become stronger and more certain of who I am.

Amit Ahuja: Beyond music, what other forms of art or storytelling inspire you? Whether it’s film, literature, or visual art, what draws you to those mediums—and how do they influence your own creative process?

Jaycee Clark: I’m really inspired by visual storytelling, nostalgia, and cinematic world building. A lot of my inspiration comes from old MTV culture, iconic music video eras, fashion, color palettes, and intense visuals. The most important thing to me is creating a feeling that people feel like they can step into.

Amit Ahuja: If you could place your music within any film—classic or contemporary—which, would you choose? What kind of scene or emotional moment do you imagine your sound complementing?

Jaycee Clark: I could absolutely see our music existing in dark satire comedies like Jennifer’s Body or Jawbreaker. Something slightly unhinged in the best way. I think that kind of energy fits us really naturally

Amit Ahuja: There’s often a strong connection between creativity and mental health. How have you navigated that balance throughout your journey? What habits, practices, or support systems have helped you maintain your well-being while pursuing something so emotionally demanding?

Jaycee Clark: I think creating emotionally vulnerable art requires learning how to protect your mental health at the same time. For me that means having people around me I trust, allowing myself space to disconnect when needed, and remembering that my worth as a person isn’t tied entirely to productivity or validation

Amit Ahuja: Finally, as we wrap things up—what message would you like to leave your fans and readers with? For anyone out there chasing a dream or still trying to find their voice, what feels most important for you to say right now?

Jaycee Clark: I’d want people to know they don’t have to stay trapped in a version of themselves they’ve outgrown just because it feels familiar or comfortable. You’re allowed to evolve. You’re allowed to take up space. You’re allowed to become someone new.

I hope when people listen to Blank Era, they leave feeling a little less alone and a little more fearless about becoming who they really are.

Amit Ahuja: Thank You Jaycee Clark from Blank Era for sharing your story with us today!

Photo Credit: Dan Lee

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***Photo credit goes to Dan Lee, unless otherwise noted***