Imagine this: you are 22 years old, fierce, fiery, a former film student and the lead singer of the hottest up and coming band to be heard in months. Now imagine that you’ve just been signed by Capitol Records! Chantal Claret, the lead singer of Morningwood does not have to envisage any of the previous, she is living her dream and lapping up every single morsel of her new found recognition and celebrity.

Based in New York, the talented bunch that call themselves Morningwood are comprised of Chantal’s raspy vocals, Richard Steel’s punky guitar strums, Pedro Yanowitz’s harmonizing bass, and Japa Keenon O’s electric drum beats. Fresh out of film school, Claret joined forces with Yanowitz, an ex- member of the Wallflowers, Keenon, an old chum whom she met while he was playing with Cibo Matto, in 2002, after a birthday party for their mutual friend, Sean Lennon. Steel, straight out of Leeds, England and Spacehog didn’t join the group until November of 2003. The foursome made beautiful music together quickly and clearly, and released their self-titled debut EP in 2003. They officially started shopping around at the beginning of 2004 and signed with Capitol weeks into their search. Morningwood is currently in pre-production mode and will be in the studio by mid- September.

I very recently sat down with Chantal to discuss her phenomenal success, abundant amounts of karma, and of course Morningwood.

Vanessa Cutler: Personally, what is it besides the sound that keeps you so into Morningwood?

Chantal Claret: Besides the sound, Morningwood is inspiration. Our shows are pretty fuckin’ exciting. The boys are pretty hot. We can have all the fun in the world, and I get to molest as many people as I want.

VC: Sounds great! What about your life before Morningwood? What was it? Where was it headed?

CC: I was in film school, planning on being a director. I really wanted to direct music videos. I never thought that I could get paid to make music. I didn’t even know that I could sing rock. I did use to sing blues when I was younger. But, I never knew that my voice could do the things that it does now.

I was just planning on being a failed director and live on my mother’s money till i got out of school.

VC: What is it about New York do you think that inspires so many artists and creative types to practice their crafts in the city that never sleeps?

CC: I think that it’s the tension here that breeds creativity. We’re all piled on top of each other. You’re forced to create in an environment like that. There is a constant state of creativity. There is so much stimuli that you can’t help but be inspired.

VC: Who are your musical idols?

CC: I love me some Nina Simone! Also, Mahalia Jackson and Etta James. I LOVE rock too – I love AC/DC, Music Machine, Zombies, Cheap Trick, Richard Hell, The Pretty Things, Rolling Stones, The Stooges. Then there is Blonde Redhead, Stereo Total, Serge Gainsbourg, Outkast is amazing. Sparklehorse too, I could go on forever

VC: Phew! If you could describe Morningwood’s sound, how would you?

CC: It’s sexy, dirty rock and roll with a pop sensibility. It’s sexy music for sexy people, but you don’t have to be sexy to enjoy it. We don’t want to exclude anybody.

VC: Being that you’re the only female in a female led band like No Doubt and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, what is it that you think draws crowds to groups like yours?

CC: Honestly, I like No Doubt, but I don’t think of myself as a Gwen Steffani. I’m not selling myself as a girl. I’m singing rock music. I just happen to be a girl with big titties. I think that every girl wants to feel sexy and celebrated and I definitely feel both of those things with my music. As they say 'shake what your momma gave ya.”

VC: Let’s talk Capitol Records. How long have you guys been trying to put a deal together?

CC: We’ve been shopping officially since the beginning of the year. We weren’t really ready for anything before. We’re ecstatic because we’ve been so fortunate, but for me personally, it’s really nice to not have to worry about money for the moment, but I’m not going to apprieciate the kudos we have been receiving without some serious work, now is when the tough part begins. The state of the music industry is shoddy and they’re not handing out deals like they used to. It’s mindblowing. Amazingly, everything has been going really quickly. Things did snowball for us.

VC: What is it like working with legendary producer Jack Douglas, who is known for his work with the biggest of the big including John Lennon and Aerosmith?

CC: He is the best man ever. He has the best stories ever and a has a dirty dirty mind like me. He really is the cat’s pajamas. I wish he were my uncle. He’s a sweetheart and he plays a mean pair of coconuts. He told us our most important catch phrase to date 'Save it for the masters'.

VC: Lastly Chantal, can you imagine seeing Morningwood on MTV?

CC: Hells yeah! I look forward to it! I went to film school, I’ve been thinking about the video from since day one – that’s my department.

Morningwood can next be seen and heard at the Mercury Lounge on August 3rd with The Features and Dogs Die in Hot Cars.