Today we’d like to introduce you to Chris Clayton Shideler.
Hi Chris Clayton, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
“Chris Clayton isn’t just playing music — he’s building it, layer by layer, right in front of you.
A live looping artist from West Michigan, Chris blends guitar, percussion, and vocals into a sound that’s full, dynamic, and completely his own. Every show is a one-of-a-kind journey, crafted live with just a guitar, a pedalboard, and a serious amount of talent.
Come for the music, stay for the experience!”
I’ve grown up playing music, my brother and father played guitar and taught me.
In and out of bands throughout high-school, I joined a band years later.
Around that time I started playing Open Mic Nights at bars and breweries.
I began working on solo music and developing my own spin on covers.
I decided to step away from groups and focus on my own solo stuff.
I started opening for bands at bars and brewies, and that developed into playing entire nights by myself.
I love using my guitar for the foundation of all the sounds I create with.
Different effects, percussion, odd tuning.
I started very heavily with multiple delays and echos, but that shifted into looping.
Live looping is where I found my niche.
Building up and down pedalboards, I have an entire ensemble at my feet.
I love to create everything live on the spot, nothing is pre-recorded.
I love how a scratch here, a tap there, subtle drone notes can layer over each other to create a huge sound.
And I love showing people that as well. Building it up and breaking it back down.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I think it’s been up and down.
It is so much work self-promoting, especially with a full-time job and family.
One thing about the community of musicians here in West Michigan is how we all help each other out.
I’ve met so many lovely souls from playing music around, and we share what we can to help each other succeed.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
“Click the pedal and watch it grow, a beat, a strum, a quiet glow.
Building bricks of sound and soul, piece by piece it makes me whole.
I’m stacking sounds you can, layer by layer, it’s raw, it’s real.”
I create music, all the separate intricate details and stack them together, live in front of everyone.
The performance is part of the art for me.
I love when the audience can watch a song flourish from nothing more than six strings.
“Chris Clayton takes inspiration from everything he hears, crafting mesmerizing layers of sounds that will take you on an unforgettable journey.
With his guitar and pedalboard as his arsenal, Chris becomes a musical maestro, tap dancing around footswitches, transforming his guitar into percussion, and harmonizing melodies simultaneously. Prepare to be amazed by his innovative performance style.
Join us for a night of musical enchantment as Chris Clayton creates intricate sonic landscapes, building mesmerizing melodies and rhythms that will captivate your senses. Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to witness his artistry firsthand.”
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
Keep doing it, even when things get hard and chaotic, music calls me back.
And also to keep writing, even when it sucks.
I go through so many songs that never get heard by anyone, but they lead me to songs that I am proud of, and speak to me.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.chrisclaytonloop.com
- Instagram: https://Instagram.com/chrisclaytonloop
- Facebook: https://Facebook.com/chrisclaytonloop
- Youtube: https://Youtube.com/chrisclaytonloop
- Soundcloud: https://SoundCloud.com/chrisclaytonloop
