Inside “I Can’t Breathe”: Anne Clainoire on Lockdown Despair, Silver Robots, and Personal Dreams
Moscow-based rock artist Anne Clainoire has a rare ability to turn inner tension into sound and imagery. Raised on classic rock but shaped by gothic, industrial, and art-historical influences, she builds her work like a system of symbols — sharp, dense, and open to interpretation.
Her new single “I Can’t Breathe”, written in the earliest weeks of the 2020 lockdown, grows out of that strange, airless time when days blurred together and the mind felt sealed from the outside world. The video, released on November 13, makes this state almost physical: silver-covered skin, distorted lenses, and ritual-like gestures turn isolation into something visual, tactile, and unsettlingly intimate. The song itself feels like a confession — tense, restless, built on the pulse of someone trying to stay afloat when everything inside (and outside...) is collapsing. The sharper moments in Anne's vocals and the pressure of the drums don’t feel like familiar genre devices — they land like a genuine effort to pull in one steady breath.
Here, Anne speaks about the emotions behind the track, what happened on set, how her art-historical eye shapes her storytelling, and where her music is headed next.
Her new single “I Can’t Breathe”, written in the earliest weeks of the 2020 lockdown, grows out of that strange, airless time when days blurred together and the mind felt sealed from the outside world. The video, released on November 13, makes this state almost physical: silver-covered skin, distorted lenses, and ritual-like gestures turn isolation into something visual, tactile, and unsettlingly intimate. The song itself feels like a confession — tense, restless, built on the pulse of someone trying to stay afloat when everything inside (and outside...) is collapsing. The sharper moments in Anne's vocals and the pressure of the drums don’t feel like familiar genre devices — they land like a genuine effort to pull in one steady breath.
Here, Anne speaks about the emotions behind the track, what happened on set, how her art-historical eye shapes her storytelling, and where her music is headed next.
— What was the main spark behind “I Can’t Breathe”? Was there a moment or feeling that made you realize, “I need to express this — in the song and in the video”?
— The main spark behind "I Can't Breathe" was the feeling of being trapped and suffocated during the 2020 quarantine. Merging days, fog in our heads, sense of endless despair loomed over and needed to be expressed. The song and the video became a way to channel those feelings of hopelessness and the struggle to find a way out. As some have asked, the song is not related to the death of George Floyd. It was written in April 2020, and the tragic events occurred in May. A pure coincidence. There is no connection between the two.
— How did the shoot unfold for you personally? What caught you off guard — something that broke, something that hurt, something that unexpectedly opened you up?
— The shoot was a deeply personal experience. What caught me off guard was the raw emotion that surfaced during the filming. There were moments of vulnerability that I hadn't anticipated, and the physical act of breaking the chains became a powerful metaphor for breaking free from the mental and emotional constraints of that time. I was covered with silver paint and wore colored contact lenses – it helped me to fully embody the character and immerse myself in the role of an ephemeral suffering entity. The music played in the background, and I found myself reliving the intense emotions and memories from 2020. Although I wrote the song during that time, studio recordings and shooting occurred much later.
— While working on the video, what did you genuinely hope the viewer would notice or feel? Not in a grand, abstract sense — but on a human level.
— I hoped that viewers would perceive deeply and personally my lyrics and visuals. I wanted them to connect with the sense of suffocation and the desperate need for release. On a human level, I hoped they would accept and understand better their struggle and find solace in knowing they are not alone.
— How does your art-history background shape the way you approach your work today — creatively, but maybe also in how you organize or run your projects? I’m curious about the mindset and approach, rather than specific artists that influenced you.
— Firstly, it has taught me to think conceptually and to pay attention to the details that create a cohesive narrative. I approach my projects with a focus on storytelling and visual aesthetics, ensuring that every element contributes to the overall message. Secondly, my art history education provides a rich source of inspiration, especially when transitioning from writing a song to creating a music video. The visual imagery and characters from various artworks naturally come to mind, and my brain begins to analyze and reinterpret these elements, allowing me to craft a visually compelling narrative that complements the music.
— When you were developing the visuals for “I Can’t Breathe,” were there any images or references from art history or global visual culture that inspired you? How did they influence the look of the video?
— The silver image was inspired by the work of American illustrator Frank Kelly Freas, who specialized in science-fiction illustrations — particularly by the silver robot from the cover of Queen’s News of the World.
— Is music your main work right now, or do you still have a “day job” or other creative work alongside it? How do you see music for yourself — a career, a necessity, or something in between?
— Music is my main focus right now, and I am fortunate to have a flexible schedule that allows me to dedicate myself fully to my creative work. While I do participate in various projects, my primary commitment is to my own music. I see music as both a career and a necessity, a way to express myself and to connect with others.
— When things get heavy — doubt, exhaustion, that “empty” feeling — what helps you not walk away? How do you get your energy back?
— When things get heavy, I find myself drawn even more to creating. In times of struggle or sadness, I often find it easier to tap into creativity and channel emotions into work. That’s when I feel most inspired, drawing from my inner thoughts and experiences. Conversely, when everything is going well, I sometimes find myself less motivated to create and need to seek external sources of inspiration. Art exhibitions and literature are constant wellsprings of ideas for me.
In addition to these creative outlets, I also find solace in physical activities like yoga, sports, and dancing. Dancing, in particular, is a form of meditation for me. It allows me to connect my body and mind through movement and music, clearing my thoughts and re-energizing me. This idea was reinforced during my studies with the renowned Indologist and Buddhist scholar, Andrey Paribok, who emphasized the meditative qualities of dancing. He highlighted how the synchronization of body and mind through rhythmic movement could serve as a powerful tool for mental and spiritual rejuvenation.
In addition to these creative outlets, I also find solace in physical activities like yoga, sports, and dancing. Dancing, in particular, is a form of meditation for me. It allows me to connect my body and mind through movement and music, clearing my thoughts and re-energizing me. This idea was reinforced during my studies with the renowned Indologist and Buddhist scholar, Andrey Paribok, who emphasized the meditative qualities of dancing. He highlighted how the synchronization of body and mind through rhythmic movement could serve as a powerful tool for mental and spiritual rejuvenation.
— You’ve said you want to experiment with different styles. What are you drawn to right now?
— Currently, my focus is on releasing the remaining tracks from the album I’ve been working on. I have already released four songs, with "I Can't Breathe" being the fourth. There are four more tracks to be released from this album. After completing this project, I plan to explore rock music with Russian lyrics. I am interested in blending neo-Russian musical elements with the rock genre, potentially incorporating folk influences. This fusion of styles is something I find intriguing and am eager to experiment with.
— Is there a genre you know you’ll never touch and why?
— I feel that I will never be able to work with rap music – far from being my cup of tea... I have nothing against it, it's a complex genre with its unique rhythms and delivery. It requires a high level of professionalism, precision, and emotional expression.
— Do you have a personal dream — not necessarily tied to music — that you’d like to make real someday?
— One of my dreams was to record a musical album, and I am happy to say that I have almost achieved this goal. Beyond music, I have another dream that I would like to pursue. I am passionate about fragrances and perfumery, and I aspire to create my own line of perfumes. I find the world of scents fascinating and would love to explore this creative endeavor in the future. I envision creating a mysterious and unique perfume collection, offering a range of intriguing aromas that captivate the senses.
— Thank you for the interview!