The Clientele formed a long time ago in the backwoods of suburban Hampshire, playing together as kids at school, rehearsing in a thatched cottage remote from any kind of music scene, but hypnotized by the magical strangeness of Galaxie 500 and Felt and the psych pop of Love and the Zombies. Singer Alasdair MacLean still recalls a pub conversation where the band collectively voted that it was OK to be influenced by Surrealist poetry but not OK to have any shouting or blues guitar solos. From that moment on, they put their stamp on a kind of eerie, distanced pure pop, stripped to its essentials and recorded quickly to 4-track analogue tape.
These recordings were released as lovingly packaged 7" singles at the tail end of the '90s and compiled as the millennium ended into the debut album, Suburban Light, now hailed as one of the best records of the decade. From the faded pop art of Suburban Light came a move into the fog with the second LP, The Violet Hour, released in 2003. An attempt to create a deeper, more mysterious sound, it was an archetypal Clientele record: hypnotic, self-enclosed, meticulously creating its own world.
The Clientele reinvented their music with Strange Geometry (2005) and God Save the Clientele (2007); Brian O'Shaughnessy (My Bloody Valentine, Primal Scream) and Mark Nevers produced, and El Records legend Louis Philippe provided typically gorgeous string arrangements. The sound was bigger, brighter, and clearer, MacLean's ringing, classically influenced guitar style and James Hornsey's melodic bass combining to create a different kind of depth and atmosphere for the newly sparkling songs, which now came complete with crossover appeal; incongruously, one of them even featured in the Keanu Reeves/Sandra Bullock weepie, The Lake House.
Bonfires on the Heath is in a sense a return to The Clientele's roots; the dreamlike suburban landscapes first encountered in the early singles, their trippy sense of menace stronger now. Back in London, they've drawn on older traditions of English folk, which exist here side by side with the band's more familiar bossa and pop elements. Mel Draisey's contributions on piano and violin add beautifully to MacLean's timeless, eerie songs.
Instantly identifiable, The Clientele sound like no one else, although they are cited as an influence by bands as diverse as Spoon and the Fleet Foxes. It's been said that the greatest bands always create their own individual sound; The Clientele have gone one further and created their own world.
Orson Absence
Carshalton Beeches
2nd June 2009
www.theclientele.co.uk
theclientele.blogspot.com
These recordings were released as lovingly packaged 7" singles at the tail end of the '90s and compiled as the millennium ended into the debut album, Suburban Light, now hailed as one of the best records of the decade. From the faded pop art of Suburban Light came a move into the fog with the second LP, The Violet Hour, released in 2003. An attempt to create a deeper, more mysterious sound, it was an archetypal Clientele record: hypnotic, self-enclosed, meticulously creating its own world.
The Clientele reinvented their music with Strange Geometry (2005) and God Save the Clientele (2007); Brian O'Shaughnessy (My Bloody Valentine, Primal Scream) and Mark Nevers produced, and El Records legend Louis Philippe provided typically gorgeous string arrangements. The sound was bigger, brighter, and clearer, MacLean's ringing, classically influenced guitar style and James Hornsey's melodic bass combining to create a different kind of depth and atmosphere for the newly sparkling songs, which now came complete with crossover appeal; incongruously, one of them even featured in the Keanu Reeves/Sandra Bullock weepie, The Lake House.
Bonfires on the Heath is in a sense a return to The Clientele's roots; the dreamlike suburban landscapes first encountered in the early singles, their trippy sense of menace stronger now. Back in London, they've drawn on older traditions of English folk, which exist here side by side with the band's more familiar bossa and pop elements. Mel Draisey's contributions on piano and violin add beautifully to MacLean's timeless, eerie songs.
Instantly identifiable, The Clientele sound like no one else, although they are cited as an influence by bands as diverse as Spoon and the Fleet Foxes. It's been said that the greatest bands always create their own individual sound; The Clientele have gone one further and created their own world.
Orson Absence
Carshalton Beeches
2nd June 2009
www.theclientele.co.uk
theclientele.blogspot.com
01/15/13
Amor de Días, the musical partnership between Alasdair of The Clientele and Lupe of Pipas, will release their sophomore album The House at Sea on January 29.
Today, Alasdair and Lupe premiered the video for “Jean’s Waving” at UndertheRadarMag.com. The video was directed by Grant Wilkinson, and produced by automatikfilms. “It was a beautiful sunny day and we went down to Wivenhoe on the Essex coast because we heard Martin Newell from the Cleaners from Venus lived there,” says the band of the clip. “But we didn’t see him, and ended up shooting the video instead!”
Watch the video for “Jean’s Waving” now
With The House at Sea, Amor de Días take advantage of the same sensibilities that have made them successful at all their varied past endeavors: whimsy, invention, and a sense of play. Recorded by Brian O’Shaughnessy (My Bloody Valentine, Primal Scream, Denim, Birdie) on 1970s valve equipment, the album spans genres like bossa nova and flamenco without sacrificing the astute pop songwriting for which its members are known.
Listen to “Jean’s Waving” now at the Merge SoundCloud page
Pre-order The House at Sea on CD or 180 gm vinyl in the Merge store. LP pre-orders will include a free Merge Records slipmat and a poster while supplies last
Today, Alasdair and Lupe premiered the video for “Jean’s Waving” at UndertheRadarMag.com. The video was directed by Grant Wilkinson, and produced by automatikfilms. “It was a beautiful sunny day and we went down to Wivenhoe on the Essex coast because we heard Martin Newell from the Cleaners from Venus lived there,” says the band of the clip. “But we didn’t see him, and ended up shooting the video instead!”
Watch the video for “Jean’s Waving” now
With The House at Sea, Amor de Días take advantage of the same sensibilities that have made them successful at all their varied past endeavors: whimsy, invention, and a sense of play. Recorded by Brian O’Shaughnessy (My Bloody Valentine, Primal Scream, Denim, Birdie) on 1970s valve equipment, the album spans genres like bossa nova and flamenco without sacrificing the astute pop songwriting for which its members are known.
Listen to “Jean’s Waving” now at the Merge SoundCloud page
Pre-order The House at Sea on CD or 180 gm vinyl in the Merge store. LP pre-orders will include a free Merge Records slipmat and a poster while supplies last
12/03/12
Amor de Días, the long-term collaboration between Alasdair MacLean (The Clientele) and Lupe Núñez-Fernández (Pipas), will release their sophomore album The House at Sea on January 29. Today, Chickfactor premiered “Jean’s Waving,” the first single from The House at Sea.
Recorded by Brian O’Shaughnessy (My Bloody Valentine, Primal Scream, Denim, Birdie) on 1970s valve equipment with a feeling for space and a deliberately limited palette, all the elements of which had to count,The House at Sea turned out to be anything but spartan. There are samba and flamenco rhythms rubbing up against Flying Nun-style pop and the mid-80s bossa of bands like Antena and Weekend, as well as melancholy film themes in waltz time and quiet folk tunes, sung in English and in Spanish.
Listen to “Jean’s Waving” now at the Merge SoundCloud page
While their debut album Street of the Love of Days took three years to make, The House at Sea was recorded and mixed in only nine days. As a result, the sessions centered around a smaller band—the twin Spanish guitars and voices of Núñez-Fernández and MacLean, and an occasional rhythm section of James Hornsey and Howard Monk, both formerly of The Clientele.
Pre-order The House at Sea now in the Merge store. LP Preorders will include a free Merge Records LP slipmat and a poster. Preorders will ship to arrive on or around the release date of January 29, 2013. Don’t forget . . . the Merge Holiday Code works on pre-orders, too!
Recorded by Brian O’Shaughnessy (My Bloody Valentine, Primal Scream, Denim, Birdie) on 1970s valve equipment with a feeling for space and a deliberately limited palette, all the elements of which had to count,The House at Sea turned out to be anything but spartan. There are samba and flamenco rhythms rubbing up against Flying Nun-style pop and the mid-80s bossa of bands like Antena and Weekend, as well as melancholy film themes in waltz time and quiet folk tunes, sung in English and in Spanish.
Listen to “Jean’s Waving” now at the Merge SoundCloud page
While their debut album Street of the Love of Days took three years to make, The House at Sea was recorded and mixed in only nine days. As a result, the sessions centered around a smaller band—the twin Spanish guitars and voices of Núñez-Fernández and MacLean, and an occasional rhythm section of James Hornsey and Howard Monk, both formerly of The Clientele.
Pre-order The House at Sea now in the Merge store. LP Preorders will include a free Merge Records LP slipmat and a poster. Preorders will ship to arrive on or around the release date of January 29, 2013. Don’t forget . . . the Merge Holiday Code works on pre-orders, too!
06/21/11
Amor de Días, consisting of Alasdair MacLean, front man for The Clientele, and Lupe Núñez-Fernández of indie-pop duo Pipas, have debuted their brand new video for “Wild Winter Trees.” The band just wrapped up a North American tour with Damon and Naomi in support of their debut album Street of the Love of Days, available now on CD and LP in the Merge store.
Watch the video for “Wild Winter Trees” now!
The video for “Wild Winter Trees” was directed by Mikhaël Hers. Mikhaël Hers has directed three short films, including Charell and Primrose Hill, official selections of the International Critic’s Week in 2006 and 2007 (Cannes), respectively. He featured a couple Clientele songs in a film called “Memory Lane,” his first feature-length, that was presented at the 2010 Locarno Film Festival. After the band saw the premiere they thought it only perfect for him to direct the video for this single. The images work as an analog to the lyrics of the song, but deepen and focus its ideas of innocence lost and time passing.
This week, the band has teamed up with MAGNET to be guest editors on the website. Visit MagnetMagazine.com to enjoy their bi-daily posts through out Sunday, and check out their Magnet Q&A to learn more about the duo.
Street of the Love of Days is available on CD, LP and digital download in the Merge store.
Watch the video for “Wild Winter Trees” now!
The video for “Wild Winter Trees” was directed by Mikhaël Hers. Mikhaël Hers has directed three short films, including Charell and Primrose Hill, official selections of the International Critic’s Week in 2006 and 2007 (Cannes), respectively. He featured a couple Clientele songs in a film called “Memory Lane,” his first feature-length, that was presented at the 2010 Locarno Film Festival. After the band saw the premiere they thought it only perfect for him to direct the video for this single. The images work as an analog to the lyrics of the song, but deepen and focus its ideas of innocence lost and time passing.
This week, the band has teamed up with MAGNET to be guest editors on the website. Visit MagnetMagazine.com to enjoy their bi-daily posts through out Sunday, and check out their Magnet Q&A to learn more about the duo.
Street of the Love of Days is available on CD, LP and digital download in the Merge store.
07/08/10
On August 31, The Clientele will release Minotaur, a mini-album featuring eight new songs. Minotaur will be available on limited-edition CD and digital download.
Minotaur, The Clientele’s sixth release, does not, as it is so easy to suggest, mark the end of a lost decade, for The Clientele have never been “lost,” nor does it mark a life at the edges of material success or debilitating failure. Through whispers, Minotaur reminds us that The Clientele’s truth waits within a geographic poetry, that The Clientele are of the edges. Minotaur enables us to read their albums as rain-soaked maps from a decade of exploration. A journey into the nebulous, into the eeriness between the edges of the dying village and the new estate, between the unknowable edges of the city and the sanctuary of the marshes, the places where dreams and fears replace street signs and nothing can ever be “ordinary.” If walking, as Iain Sinclair has suggested, across such terrain “confirms identity,” then Minotaur reasserts The Clientele’s skewed, bucolic visions.
These songs, from the caress of the title track through the Television-esque tensions of “Jerry” (“Am I afraid? Are you afraid?”), to undoubtedly one of The Clientele’s most beautiful pieces, “Nothing Here Is What It Seems,” are the falling leaves, the turning ashes of the “Bonfire Sessions.”
Download an mp3 of “Jerry” now, and order The Clientele’s most recent full-length Bonfires on the Heath on CD and LP in the Merge store. Get your tickets now for The Clientele on tour in September!
The Clientele on Tour:
Sep-06 Seattle, WA TBA
Sep-07 Portland, OR Doug Fir
Sep-09 Oakland, CA New Parish
Sep-10 San Francisco, CA Independent
Sep-11 Los Angeles, CA Echoplex
Sep-12 San Diego, CA Casbah
Minotaur, The Clientele’s sixth release, does not, as it is so easy to suggest, mark the end of a lost decade, for The Clientele have never been “lost,” nor does it mark a life at the edges of material success or debilitating failure. Through whispers, Minotaur reminds us that The Clientele’s truth waits within a geographic poetry, that The Clientele are of the edges. Minotaur enables us to read their albums as rain-soaked maps from a decade of exploration. A journey into the nebulous, into the eeriness between the edges of the dying village and the new estate, between the unknowable edges of the city and the sanctuary of the marshes, the places where dreams and fears replace street signs and nothing can ever be “ordinary.” If walking, as Iain Sinclair has suggested, across such terrain “confirms identity,” then Minotaur reasserts The Clientele’s skewed, bucolic visions.
These songs, from the caress of the title track through the Television-esque tensions of “Jerry” (“Am I afraid? Are you afraid?”), to undoubtedly one of The Clientele’s most beautiful pieces, “Nothing Here Is What It Seems,” are the falling leaves, the turning ashes of the “Bonfire Sessions.”
Download an mp3 of “Jerry” now, and order The Clientele’s most recent full-length Bonfires on the Heath on CD and LP in the Merge store. Get your tickets now for The Clientele on tour in September!
The Clientele on Tour:
Sep-06 Seattle, WA TBA
Sep-07 Portland, OR Doug Fir
Sep-09 Oakland, CA New Parish
Sep-10 San Francisco, CA Independent
Sep-11 Los Angeles, CA Echoplex
Sep-12 San Diego, CA Casbah
05/04/10
Spring has sprung and it is time for a new free Merge sampler! Featuring hit songs from the latest albums of Radar Brothers, Spoon, Let’s Wrestle, She & Him and more, visit amazon.com now to download all fourteen free songs with special cover art by Let’s Wrestle’s Wesley Patrick Gonzalez!
As always, you can find new albums from all of these artists and more in our handy Merge store.
Free Merge 2010 digital sampler track listing:
1. Radar Brothers – Horses Warriors (from The Illustrated Garden)
2. Let’s Wrestle – I Won’t Lie to You (from In the Court of the Wrestling Let’s)
3. Destroyer – The Very Modern Dance (from Streethawk: A Seduction)
4. Shout Out Louds – Fall Hard (from Work)
5. Spoon – Written in Reverse (from Transference)
6. Lou Barlow – Don’t Apologize (from Goodnight Unknown)
7. She & Him – Thieves (from Volume Two)
8. Superchunk – Learned to Surf (from Leaves in the Gutter)
9. Alec Bathgate – Glide (from Stroke: Songs for Chris Knox)
10. The Clientele – I Wonder Who We Are (from Bonfires on the Heath)
11. Caribou – Odessa (from Swim)
12. The Clean – In the Dreamlife U Need a Rubber Soul (from Mister Pop)
13. Wye Oak – I Hope You Die (from My Neighbor / My Creator)
14. Lambchop – Give It (from Live at XX Merge)
As always, you can find new albums from all of these artists and more in our handy Merge store.
Free Merge 2010 digital sampler track listing:
1. Radar Brothers – Horses Warriors (from The Illustrated Garden)
2. Let’s Wrestle – I Won’t Lie to You (from In the Court of the Wrestling Let’s)
3. Destroyer – The Very Modern Dance (from Streethawk: A Seduction)
4. Shout Out Louds – Fall Hard (from Work)
5. Spoon – Written in Reverse (from Transference)
6. Lou Barlow – Don’t Apologize (from Goodnight Unknown)
7. She & Him – Thieves (from Volume Two)
8. Superchunk – Learned to Surf (from Leaves in the Gutter)
9. Alec Bathgate – Glide (from Stroke: Songs for Chris Knox)
10. The Clientele – I Wonder Who We Are (from Bonfires on the Heath)
11. Caribou – Odessa (from Swim)
12. The Clean – In the Dreamlife U Need a Rubber Soul (from Mister Pop)
13. Wye Oak – I Hope You Die (from My Neighbor / My Creator)
14. Lambchop – Give It (from Live at XX Merge)
04/27/10
The Clientele will perform on NPR’s World Cafe on Thursday, April 29! Visit NPR.org for local airtimes, or you can listen live on WXPN’s live stream at 2PM EST. Also, The Clientele just announced their return to the US for new west coast dates this September!
The Clientele’s latest album, Bonfires on the Heath is available on CD, LP and digital download in the Merge store. If you missed it, be sure to watch their late night television debut on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon.
Sep-06 Seattle, WA TBA
Sep-07 Portland, OR Doug Fir
Sep-09 Oakland, CA New Parish
Sep-10 San Francisco, CA Independent
Sep-11 Los Angeles, CA Echoplex
Sep-12 San Diego, CA Casbah
The Clientele’s latest album, Bonfires on the Heath is available on CD, LP and digital download in the Merge store. If you missed it, be sure to watch their late night television debut on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon.
Sep-06 Seattle, WA TBA
Sep-07 Portland, OR Doug Fir
Sep-09 Oakland, CA New Parish
Sep-10 San Francisco, CA Independent
Sep-11 Los Angeles, CA Echoplex
Sep-12 San Diego, CA Casbah
03/22/10
Don’t miss Alasdair, Mark, James, and Mel who will wind up their North American tour in support of their new album, Bonfires on the Heath on March 23 at the Bowery Ballroom. Also, on March 24, The Clientele will make their late-night television debut on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon—set your DVR now!
Featured on individual critics’ year-end lists at The Onion AV Club, Pitchfork, NPR Music, and more, Bonfires on the Heath is in a sense a return to the Clientele’s roots, the dreamlike suburban landscapes first encountered in the early singles, their trippy sense of menace stronger now. Back in London, they’ve drawn on older traditions of English folk, which exist here side by side with the band’s more familiar bossa and pop elements. Mel Draisey’s contributions on piano and violin add beautifully to MacLean’s timeless, eerie songs.
Bonfires on the Heath is available on CD, LP (with MP3 download), and digital download in the Merge store. Watch video of The Clientele playing a stripped-down version of “Bonfires on the Heath” from XX Merge!
Featured on individual critics’ year-end lists at The Onion AV Club, Pitchfork, NPR Music, and more, Bonfires on the Heath is in a sense a return to the Clientele’s roots, the dreamlike suburban landscapes first encountered in the early singles, their trippy sense of menace stronger now. Back in London, they’ve drawn on older traditions of English folk, which exist here side by side with the band’s more familiar bossa and pop elements. Mel Draisey’s contributions on piano and violin add beautifully to MacLean’s timeless, eerie songs.
Bonfires on the Heath is available on CD, LP (with MP3 download), and digital download in the Merge store. Watch video of The Clientele playing a stripped-down version of “Bonfires on the Heath” from XX Merge!
12/18/09
Alasdair, Mark, James & Mel will be stateside in February to support their new album, Bonfires on the Heath.
Featured on individual critic’s year end lists at The Onion AV Club, Pitchfork, NPR Music, and more, Bonfires on the Heath is in a sense a return to the Clientele’s roots; the dreamlike suburban landscapes first encountered in the early singles, their trippy sense of menace stronger now. Back in London, they’ve drawn on older traditions of English folk, which exist here side by side with the band’s more familiar bossa and pop elements. Mel Draisey’s contributions on piano and violin add beautifully to MacLean’s timeless, eerie songs.
Bonfires on the Heath is available on CD, LP (with MP3 download) and digital download in the Merge store, and watch video of The Clientele playing a stripped-down version of “Bonfires on the Heath” from XX Merge!
The Clientele on tour:
2/21 Hoboken, NJ Maxwell’s
2/22 Philadelphia, PA Johnny Brenda’s
2/23 Washington, DC Black Cat
2/24 Chapel Hill, NC Cats Cradle
2/25 Atlanta, GA The Earl
2/26 Birmingham, AL Bottletree
2/27 Baton Rouge, LA Spanish Moon
2/28 Dallas, TX Granada Theatre
3/01 Austin, TX Mohawk
3/04 San Diego, CA Casbah
3/05 Los Angeles, CA Spaceland
3/06 Los Angeles, CA Spaceland
3/07 Visalia, CA Cellar Door
3/09 San Francisco, CA Great American Music Hall
3/11 Portland, OR Doug Fir Lounge
3/12 Seattle, WA Tractor Tavern
3/15 Minneapolis, MN Cedar Cultural Center
3/16 Madison, WI High Noon Saloon
3/17 Chicago, IL Lincoln Hall
3/19 Toronto, ONT Horseshoe Tavern
3/20 Montreal, QC Il Motore
3/21 Allston, MA Great Scott
3/23 New York, NY Bowery Ballroom
Featured on individual critic’s year end lists at The Onion AV Club, Pitchfork, NPR Music, and more, Bonfires on the Heath is in a sense a return to the Clientele’s roots; the dreamlike suburban landscapes first encountered in the early singles, their trippy sense of menace stronger now. Back in London, they’ve drawn on older traditions of English folk, which exist here side by side with the band’s more familiar bossa and pop elements. Mel Draisey’s contributions on piano and violin add beautifully to MacLean’s timeless, eerie songs.
Bonfires on the Heath is available on CD, LP (with MP3 download) and digital download in the Merge store, and watch video of The Clientele playing a stripped-down version of “Bonfires on the Heath” from XX Merge!
The Clientele on tour:
2/21 Hoboken, NJ Maxwell’s
2/22 Philadelphia, PA Johnny Brenda’s
2/23 Washington, DC Black Cat
2/24 Chapel Hill, NC Cats Cradle
2/25 Atlanta, GA The Earl
2/26 Birmingham, AL Bottletree
2/27 Baton Rouge, LA Spanish Moon
2/28 Dallas, TX Granada Theatre
3/01 Austin, TX Mohawk
3/04 San Diego, CA Casbah
3/05 Los Angeles, CA Spaceland
3/06 Los Angeles, CA Spaceland
3/07 Visalia, CA Cellar Door
3/09 San Francisco, CA Great American Music Hall
3/11 Portland, OR Doug Fir Lounge
3/12 Seattle, WA Tractor Tavern
3/15 Minneapolis, MN Cedar Cultural Center
3/16 Madison, WI High Noon Saloon
3/17 Chicago, IL Lincoln Hall
3/19 Toronto, ONT Horseshoe Tavern
3/20 Montreal, QC Il Motore
3/21 Allston, MA Great Scott
3/23 New York, NY Bowery Ballroom
10/06/09
The Clientele’s new album, Bonfires on the Heath, is now available in stores on CD and LP! You can stream the entire album in the Merge store, and order it while you’re there!
Frontman Alasdair MacLean will visit New York for an intimate performance at Joe’s Pub on October 29th at 10 PM. Tickets are available now.
Also, visit Converse.com for a beautiful video of a pastoral, twigs-and-all take on “Bonfires on the Heath” from XX Merge.
Frontman Alasdair MacLean will visit New York for an intimate performance at Joe’s Pub on October 29th at 10 PM. Tickets are available now.
Also, visit Converse.com for a beautiful video of a pastoral, twigs-and-all take on “Bonfires on the Heath” from XX Merge.
09/15/09
Today on Converse.com, see The Clientele play a pastoral version of “Bonfires on the Heath” from their new album of the same name.
The Clientele video is the second in a series showcasing six Merge bands performing stripped-down sets somewhat spontaneously in various locations during the festival. Superchunk kicked off the series with one of their new songs, “Crossed Wires.”
Check back next week for the next clip in this series of unique sessions courtesy of Converse.com.
Visit the XX Merge page for a selection of photos that capture some of our favorite moments from our 20th anniversary festival!
The Clientele video is the second in a series showcasing six Merge bands performing stripped-down sets somewhat spontaneously in various locations during the festival. Superchunk kicked off the series with one of their new songs, “Crossed Wires.”
Check back next week for the next clip in this series of unique sessions courtesy of Converse.com.
Visit the XX Merge page for a selection of photos that capture some of our favorite moments from our 20th anniversary festival!
06/22/09
On October 6, The Clientele will release their 5th album, Bonfires on the Heath on CD, LP and digital download.
The Clientele formed a long time ago in the backwoods of suburban Hampshire, playing together as kids at school, rehearsing in a thatched cottage remote from any kind of music scene, but hypnotized by the magical strangeness of Galaxie 500 and Felt and the psych pop of Love and the Zombies.
Bonfires on the Heath is in a sense a return to the Clientele’s roots; the dreamlike suburban landscapes first encountered in the early singles, their trippy sense of menace stronger now. Now in London, they’ve drawn on older traditions of English folk, which exist here side by side with the band’s more familiar bossa and pop elements. Mel Draisey’s contributions on piano and violin add beautifully to MacLean’s timeless, eerie songs.
The Clientele will play in Brooklyn, NY at the Music Hall of Williamsburg on July 19th with Richard Buckner, and as part of XX Merge. Visit their blog for more news, photos and stories.
The Clientele formed a long time ago in the backwoods of suburban Hampshire, playing together as kids at school, rehearsing in a thatched cottage remote from any kind of music scene, but hypnotized by the magical strangeness of Galaxie 500 and Felt and the psych pop of Love and the Zombies.
Bonfires on the Heath is in a sense a return to the Clientele’s roots; the dreamlike suburban landscapes first encountered in the early singles, their trippy sense of menace stronger now. Now in London, they’ve drawn on older traditions of English folk, which exist here side by side with the band’s more familiar bossa and pop elements. Mel Draisey’s contributions on piano and violin add beautifully to MacLean’s timeless, eerie songs.
The Clientele will play in Brooklyn, NY at the Music Hall of Williamsburg on July 19th with Richard Buckner, and as part of XX Merge. Visit their blog for more news, photos and stories.
A Fading Summer (Reissue) :: CD EP (March Records; reissued 2003 by Merge) 2000
Suburban Light :: CD (Merge) 2001
The Violet Hour :: CD (Merge) 2003
Ariadne :: CD EP (Acuarela) 2004
Strange Geometry :: CD/LP (Merge) 2005
God Save the Clientele :: CD/LP (Merge) 2007
That Night, A Forest Grew :: CD EP (Acuarela) 2008
Minotaur :: CD EP (Merge) 2010
Suburban Light :: CD (Merge) 2001
The Violet Hour :: CD (Merge) 2003
Ariadne :: CD EP (Acuarela) 2004
Strange Geometry :: CD/LP (Merge) 2005
God Save the Clientele :: CD/LP (Merge) 2007
That Night, A Forest Grew :: CD EP (Acuarela) 2008
Minotaur :: CD EP (Merge) 2010
loading...