Up-and-coming indie artist Claud Mintz is headed to Oklahoma City’s Beer City Music Hall Thursday for the North American leg of their “Supermodels” tour.
In 2020, the non-binary artist, known professionally as Claud, was the first to be signed with Saddest Factory Records, the label founded by four-time Grammy Award nominee Phoebe Bridgers.
Since signing, Claud has opened for various well-established artists, including Bleachers, Paramore and Boygenius, Phoebe Bridgers’ supergroup.
Claud released their first EP while studying music business at Syracuse University in 2018. At the time, they were writing and releasing music with their best friend, Josh Mehling, as a duo called Toast. For Claud, this was when their artistic point of view clicked.
“I found my voice and my sound,” Claud told the OU Daily. “It just really fell into place.”
In 2019, Claud left the university to pursue music full-time, launching their solo career as Claud, and releasing singles such as “If I Were You” and “Wish You Were Gay.”
After signing with Saddest Factory Records, Claud released their debut album “Super Monster” in 2021. The album, described by Variety Magazine as “a free-spirited pop-rock exploration of youth, love and queerness,” was the first to be produced by Bridgers’ label. “Super Monster” features songs such as “Soft Spot,” in which Claud reminisces on a past relationship, and “Gold,” in which they express anger as a means of moving on.
Front cover of Claud's "Supermodels" album.
Claud’s second full-length album “Supermodels” was released on July 14.
Through the 13 songs featured on “Supermodels,” the 24-year-old artist uses honest and vulnerable storytelling to navigate the challenges of being in their 20s and facing the highs and lows that come with being in a relationship.
Claud said they began working on the album when they were struggling with a lack of self-confidence. Since their last tour, however, Claud said that their confidence as an artist has grown a lot.
“The ‘Super Monster’ tour was pretty much my first real headline tour, and so there’s a lot of learning that comes with that,” Claud said. “It’s just so much more smooth, and I enjoy it so much more because I’m a lot less nervous.”
Claud has been on the road for the North American leg of the “Supermodels” tour since Sept. 5, beginning in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. They are accompanied on tour by indie rock duo Boyish and songwriter-producer Lutalo, who will open for Claud’s Oklahoma City show.
Lutalo’s second EP, “AGAIN,” which was released in late August, takes a contemplative look at topics including systemic oppression and capitalism. Claud said they look forward for the audience to hear Lutalo’s work.
“Overall, their musicianship is ridiculous, ridiculously good,” Claud said. “I’m really excited for people to hear their music and discover them.”
The “Supermodels” tour set list consists of songs from Claud’s new album, including guitar-driven hit “A Good Thing” and the heartfelt yet simple “Crumbs.” Fans can also expect to hear songs from “Super Monster” and some of their most popular early singles.
Thursday marks Claud’s third time performing in Oklahoma City. Last November, Claud opened for pop-punk band Paramore at The Criterion and returned in March for a limited-capacity acoustic show at Elemental Coffee.
“Honestly, Oklahoma City was one of my favorite shows of both tours,” Claud said. “The camaraderie of the community was so strong.”
At their shows, Claud said that fans can expect to see people wearing blue and green—a trend among fans inspired by a split-dye hairstyle that accompanied the release of “Super Monster” — as well as good attitudes and open hearts.
“Everybody feels super present and super engaged and really, really respectful of one another,” Claud said.
Claud is always jotting down ideas for their music, whether those ideas come to them in a dream or are based on a phrase they hear. Claud said their fans can interpret the lyrics in different and intriguing ways.
“I always find it so interesting the way that people interpret my music and my lyrics, and I think it really says a lot about what they’re going through, the way they sort of internalize the tone,” Claud said. “As long as it’s helping them get through whatever they’re going through, then I feel like I’ve done my job.”
Claud performs at 8 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 28, at Beer City Music Hall, located at 1141 NW 2nd St. in Oklahoma City. Doors will open at 7 p.m., and tickets to the concert can be found online.
This story was edited by Emma Blakley. Mary Ann Livingood and Avery Avery copy edited this story.
