Interview of Claire Tonti by Julia Ferracane
Did you know that pregnancy can actually reshape your brain? This isn’t just poetic imagery—it’s a profound truth uncovered by groundbreaking research. In a 2017 study published in Nature Neuroscience, scientists revealed that pregnancy induces significant and lasting changes in brain structure. But that’s just the beginning. The journey into motherhood, known as matrescence, is a seismic shift that touches every part of your being—mind, body, and soul.
The new science of pregnancy and motherhood shows us how dramatic these changes are, from wild hormonal fluctuations to deep transformations in our hearts, immune systems, and even how we breathe. These shifts leave a lasting impact, yet they’re often brushed under the rug by a society that prefers to gloss over the raw, messy reality of motherhood.
Matrescence was first coined by anthropologist Dana Raphael in 1973 and was beautifully revived by Dr. Aurelie Athan from Columbia University, who saw the power in this concept. As Dr. Athan so perfectly puts it, she proposed the revival of matrescence “to give mothers and those who care for them the language they didn’t know they needed.” She explains that, like adolescence, matrescence is a transformative period that accelerates changes across biological, psychological, social, cultural, and spiritual domains. By reintroducing this concept, Dr. Athan has shifted the conversation around maternal mental health and offered a new lens through which we can view motherhood—a lens that de-stigmatises and empowers.
For Claire Tonti, discovering the term matrescence was like finding a key to a locked door. It sparked a powerful identity shift that allowed her to not just survive, but thrive as a singer-songwriter. Through her music, Claire raises awareness about the complex, beautiful, and sometimes brutal journey of becoming a mother.
Traditionally, our focus on motherhood has been all about the baby—how to conceive, grow, birth, feed, and care for the baby. But why are mothers left without support for the massive internal shifts they experience?
This is a complex issue, but as journalist Lucy Jones notes in her book Matrescence, the feminist movement, despite its many achievements, largely overlooked motherhood and the maternal experience. In our perfection-obsessed Western culture, women are pressured to conform to impossible standards. There’s a lack of information about the profound impact of motherhood—the biggest endocrine event in a person’s life—and the need for nurturing oneself after birth. Women are expected to juggle work and parenting, all while downplaying the radical changes that motherhood brings. The breakdown of community support and patriarchal medical systems also play a role, leaving women isolated and their pain often dismissed. We need to start listening to women, trust their bodies, and provide the tools and support necessary for their journey through matrescence.
In Australia, one in three birthing parents experience birth trauma. How does this resonate with your personal journey, and how has it influenced your music, especially in songs like “The Beast”?
When I wrote my album Matrescence, I had no idea I would explore this theme. My first birth nine years ago was traumatic, and I felt overwhelmed and unheard. Writing my song “Self” was a way to process that pain. It was only later that I realised I had experienced birth trauma—a common, yet often unacknowledged experience. Singing and performing these songs revealed that many women shared similar stories. “The Beast,” inspired by my miscarriage experience, emerged from the same feelings of isolation and a lack of support. I wanted to create music that resonates with other women, helping them feel less alone and more prepared by acknowledging their grief and love.
What emotions do mothers experience as they enter matrescence?
Grief for their old selves, love that is all-consuming and sometimes terrifying, confusion over their new identity, exhaustion, loneliness in a broken support system, fear for their child’s safety, joy in the deep connection with their baby, anxiety about their ability to parent, and guilt.
How do you believe your album Matrescence and your song “The Beast” contribute to the conversation around the complexities of motherhood, such as overcoming birth trauma and dealing with postnatal depression?
Music has a unique power to reflect and validate our experiences. My songs offer a voice to the often hidden struggles of motherhood—miscarriage, birth trauma, postnatal depression—topics that have been shrouded in shame and stigma for too long. By sharing my story through music, I hope to help other women feel seen, understood, and less alone in their journeys. My song “The Beast Reprise” delves into the transformation that comes from trauma, leading to hope, joy, and love.
You’ve been described as a matrescence activist. What does this movement mean to you, and how do you hope it will change the narrative around motherhood and the “bounce back” myth?
The matrescence movement is about empowering women with accurate information about their bodies, fostering self-compassion, and building better social support systems. Matrescence, the greatest endocrine event in a person’s life, profoundly changes us. The idea of “bouncing back” is unrealistic—we are forever transformed by motherhood. Just as we allow teenagers time to grow into adulthood, we must give women the time and support to evolve into their new roles as mothers.
You recently curated a sold-out Matrescence festival in the UK. How did this experience impact you, and what were some key takeaways?
The festival was a transformative experience, creating a space where participants could be their full selves. We brought together expert speakers, vibrant discussions, art, and music, all woven into a supportive, inclusive environment. The feedback was overwhelming—it felt like a glimpse of how society could be if we truly supported mothers and embraced village thinking. It reinforced the importance of centering mothers in our communities and providing spaces for rest, creativity, and connection.
You’re collaborating with journalists, scientists, and writers like Lucy Jones and Amy Taylor-Kabbaz. How have these collaborations influenced your understanding and expression of motherhood in your music?
Collaborating with incredible women like Lucy and Amy has deepened my understanding of matrescence and the power of sharing our stories. Their work has given me the courage to release deeply personal songs like “The Beast,” knowing that sharing these experiences can help other women feel seen and supported.
What kind of reactions have you received from your audience in response to the album, and how do you feel your music is raising awareness and providing support for those who have experienced similar losses?
The response has been deeply moving. Many women have reached out to share how my songs have made them feel seen and inspired in their own motherhood journeys. This connection means everything to me.
As a mother of two and an award-winning podcaster, how do you balance these roles with your career as a singer-songwriter, and how do these experiences feed into your creative process?
Balancing it all is a constant juggle, and I often feel like I’m dropping balls left and right. My partner James has been a tremendous support, allowing me the space to create while we raise our two beautiful children. Listening to women’s stories through my podcast, TONTS has been a wellspring of inspiration for my songwriting.
What are your plans for future projects or performances that continue to explore and highlight the themes of matrescence and modern motherhood?
I’m performing ‘The Beast’ on October 20th at the Brunswick Ballroom, alongside a lineup of incredible women. The event will explore the complexities of motherhood, including mental health, birth trauma, miscarriage, and the creative power of matrescence. I’m also planning more Matrescence Festivals in Melbourne and Exeter and working on a documentary film with filmmaker Libby Chow.
What advice would you give to parents struggling with the transition into motherhood, and how can communities better support those experiencing birth trauma and postnatal challenges?
Self-compassion is key. Reach out for help and connect with supportive communities. The most effective way to prevent birth trauma is through consistent care—having a trusted midwife can make a world of difference. We need to honour and respect women’s voices, teach them to trust their bodies, and provide the care and compassion they deserve.
Addressing Birth Trauma: In Australia, one in three birthing parents experience birth trauma. How does this statistic resonate with your personal journey, and how has it influenced your music, especially with your latest song?
This statistic is horrifying and makes me angry because so much of it could be avoided with better care models and accurate information about birth. Women need to feel safe, trusted, and deeply heard during childbirth. We must bring love, care, and compassion back into our systems, honour midwifery, and empower women to advocate for themselves. During my labour, I was silenced when I began to sing—an instinct that could have helped open my cervix. Our voices matter, and if I had been allowed to express myself, my experience, and my son’s, might have been different.
