Being young is about making mistakes and learning from them. Being reckless and picking up the pieces later. For Claire Hawkins, it’s about putting her best foot forward whether it’s spending time overseas like she did last year, or spending the next few months in the studio working all hours of the day and night on her music. Of course, when she’s not in the studio or on the road, she’s in the best place in the world; New York City.

The Big Apple served as the backdrop for her latest video, “Reckless,” which ZO Magazine is happy to premiere today alongside a good dose of conversation between us and one of the most impressive singer-songwriters making their way through this reckless world with a poised demeanor.

Kendra: Last time we caught up with one another you were spending your free time away from classes at NYU exploring the city. Are you still seeking out new places or have you discovered them all?

Claire Hawkins: I’m definitely still exploring! I just moved to a new neighborhood, so it’s been really fun to meet new people and get to know the area. After spending nine months away from New York, I’ve really been enjoying revisiting some old favorite spots too.

Kendra: Watching your video for “August” and your newest, “Reckless,” you really utilize the New York City landscape. Is there a bucket list place around town that you’d love to shoot at?

Claire Hawkins: I’d really love to do something in Morningside Heights, where I grew up. I have so much love for the community there and it’d be great to find a way to incorporate that into a future project.

Kendra: Speaking of “Reckless,” it gave off this wonderful Sia vibe. Was that your idea or all Megan Paradowski’s?

Claire Hawkins: I was really lucky to get to work with a great team on this one. I had several production meetings with both Megan and our director of cinematography Carlos Enrique Tejera (aka Carluccio) before the shoot to discuss our ideas. Everyone brought their own unique elements to the video and they all fit together really well. Megan’s original choreography and Carlos’ creative direction brought the song to life in a way I had only hoped for before and I’m so proud of the work they did.

Kendra: Were you and Megan friends before the shoot?

Claire Hawkins: We were! Megan and I met our freshman year of college in a writing class for art school students. We’d been talking about working together for so long that when the opportunity came along with “Reckless,” it was a no-brainer. She introduced me to Carlos, who was also studying at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts at the time, and the three of us developed the video together.

Kendra; When people often think of being reckless, they think of their late teens and 20’s. For you though, you seem poised and very in control of your path. What do you attribute that to?

Claire Hawkins: Wow, thank you! The idea of being “reckless” in this song is more about a daring mindset than careless actions. I named my EP “Even These Words” after the line in the song “Even these words might be something I’ll regret” as a reference to the risk we take when we speak our minds. “Reckless” is a song about family, which can be a tricky thing to write about. In some ways, it felt kind of “reckless” putting it out into the world, but I’m all the more proud of it for that reason.

Kendra: Last fall you were touring Europe. How was that by the way? Also, will you be hitting the road as we close out 2018?

Claire Hawkins: It was an absolute dream come true. I was lucky enough to get to perform in Berlin, Dublin, and Paris. Each show was entirely different, but all of them were so fun. I never thought New York would have to share the title of my favorite city. Now I have a whole list of favorites!

Right now I’m sticking around New York, but I am hoping to play a couple shows before the year’s end. One of the things I missed most about New York is its music scene. So I’m very happy to be a part of it again.

Kendra: Other than possible touring, what does the rest of 2018 and the start of 2019 look like for you?

Claire Hawkins: There’s a lot of studio time on the calendar at the moment, which I’m very excited about. I like surprises. So I won’t give too much away, but I will say that my time in Europe gave me a lot to write about.