A haunting, genre-blurring EP that proves Carrie Clark is fully in her element
For decades, Carrie Clark has been a steady and respected presence in Hamilton’s music scene, lending her bass and vocal talents to countless projects and live performances. From her work alongside The Pintos to years spent supporting fellow artists, she’s built a reputation rooted in collaboration, instinct, and authenticity. In recent years, though, Clark has stepped further into the spotlight with her own material, carving out a sound that feels both deeply personal and musically expansive.
Her latest EP, Resistor, marks a confident continuation of that journey. Blending alt-country, indie rock, and atmospheric Americana, the six-track release showcases not only her versatility, but a clear and intentional creative voice. Recorded at Deadquarters Studio with longtime friend Marco Bressette and a trusted circle of collaborators, the project captures a raw, live energy that mirrors Clark’s organic approach to music-making.
With Resistor, Carrie Clark leans into reflection, resilience, and creative freedom—letting each song unfold in its own time and space. We caught up with her to talk about the making of the EP, the stories behind the songs, and what it means to finally step fully into her own artistic season.
First off, care to introduce yourself to our readers?
Hi, my name is Carrie Clark. I am a freelance bassist and songwriter based in Hamilton, Ontario. My second release, Resistor, a six-song EP was released in March 2026 under Down by the Point Records.
You’ve been a key part of the Hamilton music scene for decades, supporting other artists—what pushed you to finally step into your own spotlight as a solo artist in 2020?
In 2020 gigs slowed down due to lockdowns and it was a great opportunity for me to spend some time writing. I started really working on my vocals, taking lessons from other accomplished singers here and there, and working on having the freedom to improvise and play funky bass parts while singing a lead melody. My pals that I play with regularly in the Hamilton music scene gave me the freedom to try my first songs out and were so supportive, I am eternally grateful!
Your new release Resistor feels both cohesive and sonically diverse—what was your vision going into this record?
I really wanted to make a record that I would enjoy listening to. That might sound ridiculous, but I wanted to record songs that I loved and would want to listen to even if I didn’t write them. Many of the songs on Resistor were written all at once. That kind of writing has its own feel, which adds to the cohesive element on the record.
You worked with Marco Bressette at Deadquarters Studio, someone you’ve known since you were 16—how did that long-standing relationship influence the recording process?
Really relaxed and comfortable. I felt like I could trust him to not blow me off, or try to convince me to play a Hofner with flat-wounds, or try a Rickenbacker, lol… He knows I have my own tone already. I knew he would give me a fair deal for the studio time, give me his honest opinion and that his attention to detail is pretty out of this world. He is a high quality recording engineer.
You mentioned that recording felt “natural and meditative”—what does that environment look like for you in the studio?
It looks like playing with musicians that I respect and have long term playing relationship with. I always play with Robin Pirson (my partner and mega encourager) on drums, and I tend to cycle through my favorite chord players depending on the song and what I’m going for. Having the right musician(s) for a song is paramount and I’m very lucky to play with many musicians I really respect. I prefer to record the foundational tracks live off the floor – waiting until everyone has a “that’s the one” feeling naturally.
Now that Resistor is out, what’s next for you—more recording, live shows, or something completely different?
I have some live shows/ festivals coming up in the late summer that I’m really looking forward to and the third album is pretty much already written. I will be getting to it after the busy summer season when weather turns and it’s time to hunker down in the studio.