Beginnings

Claire grew up in Bundaberg, Queensland, with her Dad, Mum and brother Tim.  Right after high school she enrolled in a Bachelor of Education at Christian Heritage College and moved to Brisbane to begin study.  In second year uni her parents gave Claire a guitar for her birthday and she began to write songs.  During her final year of uni, a friend organised for Claire to showcase her songs to Dave and Nikki Gray of indie record label Christian World Media.  They immediately liked Claire's songs and style and signed her up.  With producer and friend Phil Slade, Claire set about recording her first album "The Goodness and Severity".  Though young in its sound and feel, the album found a niche in the Australian Christian Music Market.  Christian radio picked up a few of the songs and Claire began singing at festivals and churches.  It was a modest launch for the nineteen year old artist, but one that would lay a solid foundation for the road  ahead.

Growing Opportunities

The years between "The Goodness and Severity" (1997) and album number two "Claire Hazzard" (2000)  saw Claire begin teaching, marry and together with her husband Pete, sell up, buy a caravan and travel through parts of Australia.  In 1999 they landed in Melbourne and had soon connected with Paul Colman.  Due to the recent formation of the Trio, Paul was less able to perform solo during this time so he began passing gig opportunities on to Claire.   As well as these growing opportunities for live performance Claire began work with producer David Carr on her self-titled EP.  David's production skills teamed with Claire's growing songwriting ability produced two christian radio hits reaching ‘most played song on Australian Christian Radio’ in 2000  (“Finest Unreliable Friend” & “In Love With You”).   But it was "The Field" with it's poignant lyrics and musical simplicity for which Claire became best known in live performance.  

Intense Times

At the end of 2001 Claire toured as support artist with PC3, which greatly increased the recognition she received as an artist in Australian Christian Music.   At the same time, Claire's third album "Whatever It Takes" was released.  Radio once again snapped up several tracks, including "Whatever It Takes", "Where You Belong" and "Aeroplane".  This album had a very polished sound and attracted a wider listener base, and as Claire's opportunities to perform expanded, audience support continued to grow.  In particular the Australian Gospel Music Festival became a key platform for Claire.  Live performances recorded during 2001 and 2002 became the stuff of album number four "Live and Transparent" (2002).  This album, with its fudgy but fun singing and chatting format stood in stark contrast to "Whatever It Takes" and afforded listeners a very 'down to earth' taste of Claire Hazzard.   

Much Needed Down-time

Mid 2003 Claire and husband Pete welcomed their first son, Jachin, into the world.  Claire abandoned the life of travel and performance to discover the art of being a full time Mum!    It wasn’t just motherhood that drew Claire from the stage though.  It was also a ‘long-time-coming’ need to step back from the whirlwind of the past few years and re-asses the direction of her music, the issues surrounding public ministry and the sheer exhaustion, (both physical and emotional), she felt in the wake of having faced such challenges.  Soon the family of three were packing their bags to leave Melbourne and spend 2004 at Cornerstone Christian Community in Dubbo.  Claire speaks of this as the most exciting, challenging and transforming year of her life.   This is where Claire first began to seriously re-think the traditional Christianity of the west in light of  the life of the Kingdom of which Jesus spoke.   A year flew by and before they knew it they were moving back up home to Queensland as Pete pursued new work opportunities.  In 2005 their second son, Benjamin, was born.  Third son, Levi, was born two years after that and by now the family of five were well settled into life in the sunny state. 

Resurfacing

Claire became involved in a small house church during this time and as relationships in the group deepened, the call on Claire's life to sing began to resurface.  With the prayer, encouragement and the support of her house church, friends and family, the decision was made to re-enter the world of music.   The years between had been refreshing and now the call of God was clearer than ever to Claire. 

Now

Claire is now affiliated with Humber Records and in October 2008 released her fifth album, "The Spectacular Thing" produced by David Carr and Phil Butson.  She returned in 2008 to the stage with her first performance being at Easterfest (formerly AGMF).  "Everything is different this time around.  I think back then the line between following God and running ahead of Him was very blurred for me and I ended up running ahead most of the time.  I think a lot of my exhaustion and jaded-ness back then was due to having a real lack of understanding when it came to boundaries, and from trying to do so much in my own strength.  This time with my three little fellas to bring up, I can't even imagine being able to do anything more than what God asks.  I know if I follow him obediently, my family will always come before public ministry - I really believe that's God's way - and I want it that way too.  I don't want to run ahead.  I don't want to fall behind.  His provision has been amazing this time around.  My feet are on the ground a whole lot more.  Age and life and having children does that hey!  Singing will have its right place and that's enough for me."