Inspiring Conversations with Claire Mulvaney of OpenMic

Today we’d like to introduce you to Claire Mulvaney

Hi Claire, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Hey there! My name is Claire Mulvaney. I am a producer, songwriter, and business owner in the Los Angeles area. I grew up in Aurora, Ohio, where I studied guitar, voice, and cello at the Aurora School of Music. That early foundation led me to pursue music professionally. And because I like school a bit too much, I ended up earning a few degrees: an Associate’s in Jazz Studies from Tri-C, a Bachelor’s in Professional Music from Berklee College of Music, and a Master’s in Music Production from Berklee.

During my time at Berklee and afterward, I started working in the studio scene, where I witnessed some incredible collaborations—the kind of sessions where you walk away buzzing because you can’t believe the music you just helped create. My whole career has been about chasing that feeling.

When I moved to LA a couple of years ago, I decided to return to the studio scene and landed a job at Atlantic Records. Through that opportunity, I was lucky enough to assistant engineer sessions with Lizzo, Daniel Seavey, Dominic Fike, Brett Eldredge, and Amy Allen. Being a fly on the wall for those sessions left me with plenty of tiny bruises from all my “pinch-me” moments, but it also made me realize I wanted to be more involved in the writing process.

To me the biggest piece of the puzzle is finding the right people to make music with. But in today’s music industry, that process has become daunting and impersonal. Social media often feels like a popularity contest driven by followers, streams, and credits. Networking through DMs has become lifeless, stripping away the excitement of real creative chemistry. That spark I’m always chasing is nearly impossible to find in a world where connections are measured in metrics.

I wanted an alternative to social media for finding collaborators—something smarter, more efficient, and built to prioritize music taste and ability over everything else. Even after moving to LA and working with former Berklee classmates and Atlantic Records, I found the vast network overwhelming and full of dead ends. I wanted to streamline the collaboration process, making it easier for independent artists to connect, create, and grow their careers efficiently. That is why I created OpenMic, an app to find music collaborators.

My goal with OpenMic is to bridge the gap between talented musicians (whether professionals, aspiring artists, or hobbyists) by making networking simpler and more intentional.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
If anyone in the music industry tells you it’s been a smooth road, they’re lying. I think what makes this industry so addictive is the highs and lows. Those moments when you can’t believe what you’re writing, how incredible that gig just went, or the love you’re receiving for your art—they’re unbeatable. But at the same time, there’s a lot of gatekeeping, self-doubt, and criticism, which often leads to imposter syndrome.

However, I believe the negative aspects are crucial for growth. If you’re self-aware and open to feedback, you evolve as a result.

In a way, the music industry prepared me well for starting a company—late nights, working toward perfection, being publicly open to criticism, asking for harsh feedback because it’s better than silence, and refusing to give up easily.

Being a business owner comes with many struggles. You have to keep an eye on the horizon for potential problems while trying to calm several storms at once. But the ultimate outcome of these struggles are worth the hardship, especially when compared to moments like bombing on stage or messing up a recording session beyond repair. There’s no faster way to be humbled than failing at what you love.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
OpenMic is an innovative platform that is redefining how musicians connect and collaborate in the independent music scene. We focus on creating meaningful, music-driven relationships, offering a space where collaboration is based on shared creative goals rather than popularity. Whether you’re a professional, an up-and-coming artist, or someone who’s just starting out, OpenMic is designed to help you find the people who get you and your music.

What distinguishes OpenMic is our approach to the networking process. We understand that the modern music industry is saturated with distractions and competition. Rather than adding to that noise, we focus on fostering genuine, productive collaborations that are based on shared musical vision. Our platform removes the friction that often comes with traditional networking approaches.

One of the things we’re most proud of is how OpenMic has become a space that empowers musicians to prioritize themselves. By streamlining the collaboration process and focusing on the music itself, we’re helping musicians from all backgrounds move forward in their journey with confidence and clarity.

At OpenMic, we want musicians to know that our platform is not just about connecting them to others—it’s about creating opportunities for real growth and creative expression. Whether you’re looking for a writing partner, a producer, or any other collaborator, OpenMic is here to make those connections more natural and meaningful.

If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
Empathy. I believe that trying to understand people and meeting them where they are at allows you to fully grasp the struggles they face every day. Only then can you offer something meaningful or impactful in their lives.

Pricing:

• The app is currently free for anyone to download at getopenmic.co

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.getopenmic.co/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/getopenmic/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61553673908305
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/getopenmic/
• Twitter: https://x.com/GetOpenMic_
• Other: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/openmic-music-networking/id6475248760