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You can look fearless under stage lights and still be shaking inside. That’s the truth Clover Stokes shares with us, and it’s exactly why her story hits. Clover is the frontwoman of Monarch, a Virginia Beach local band making waves across the 757 with classic rock covers, a growing original catalog, and a live show that pulls people in fast. We talk about the real work behind becoming “larger than life” and what it costs and gives back when you choose a public creative life.

Clover takes us from karaoke nights and choir days to discovering Stevie Nicks performances on YouTube and realizing she needed the stage. We dig into her influences, from Fleetwood Mac and Heart to Joan Baez, Joni Mitchell, and Linda Ronstadt, plus the Dominican and Latin music that shaped her ear early. Along the way, she explains how Monarch starts as a duo, learns the three-hour set challenge, books shows across Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Hampton, and beyond, and navigates the hardest part of band life: finding people who want to build something that lasts.

We also get honest about stage presence and confidence. Clover describes exposure therapy, the nights the nerves don’t go away, and the freedom of being celebrated for being loud, expressive, and fully herself. We talk songwriting, why Monarch refuses to be “background music,” and what it means to hear a crowd respond to an unreleased original like “Lord Only Knows (God Bless Rock And Roll)” as recording begins. Plus: fan moments that trigger imposter syndrome, the weekday day-job reality, and the playlist range that keeps her creativity sharp.

If you care about live music, building confidence, the Virginia Beach music scene, or turning influences into a real career path, you’ll take something practical from this conversation. Subscribe, share this with a friend who needs a push, and leave us a review with the most unforgettable concert you’ve ever seen.

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