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The Clientele

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London, United Kingdom (1991 – present)

The Clientele are a London-based band with Alasdair MacLean on vocals and guitar, Mark Keen on drums, James Hornsey on bass and Mel Draisey on Keys and Violin.

MacLean and Hornsey began collaborating musically while still in school, after MacLean saw that Hornsey had written the name of the band Felt on his pencil case. The band formed in 1991, with the current lineup along with Innes Phillips, who shared singing and songwriting duties with MacLean. The band recorded an album’s worth of material but failed to get any label interest. Innes left the band (and would go on to found The Relict); the rest of the group re-formed in 1997, and they released a number of singles that were eventually collected on Suburban Light (2000). The Violet Hour (2003) was their first album proper, which again saw great acclaim, but, as yet, little commercial success. August 2005 saw the release of their second full album, Strange Geometry. Draisey joined the band in 2006 just in time for band’s second tour of the States.

The band is more successful in America, where they are signed to Merge Records, home of bands such as Lambchop and Spoon, than in their native Britain.

Their music is noted for its reverb-rich production and MacLean’s distinctive breathy vocals and jangly guitar playing. Their lyrics take a strong inspiration from surrealist literature and art from the early 20th century.

Tagged as:

indie, indie pop, dream pop, british, indie rock
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Strange Geometry
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God Save The Clientele
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The Violet Hour
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Suburban Light
The Clientele
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Top Tracks

1	I Wonder Who We Are	485
2	Harvest Time	404
3	Bonfires on the Heath	362
4	Never Anyone But You	359
5	Share The Night	314
6	Sketch	304
7	Tonight	300
8	Graven Wood	287
9	I Know I'll See Your Face	281
9	Since K Got Over Me	281
11	(I Can't Seem to) Make You Mine	265
12	Walking in the Park	263
13	Never Saw Them Before	258
14	Bookshop Casanova	248
15	Jennifer And Julia	215

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gonzstrokes wrote:
Friday evening

One of the best bands ever.[2]

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The405Music wrote:
Friday afternoon

The 405 reviewed them live: http://tinyurl.com/yho9d4o

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letsgobowling wrote:
last week

wasn't a big fan of God Save, but the new album is such a return to form.

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NeighborTotoro wrote:
last month

I'm embarrassed to admit that I've only just discovered these guys. But better late than never... ;-)

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encosion wrote:
last month

Fullscreen slideshow of The Clientele live at The Luminaire in London earlier this week http://tumblr.com/x9k46nxnn

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SolemnGong wrote:
last month

New album is great, but I still prefer Strange Geometry.

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lostintravise wrote:
October 2009

wow! I'm going to enjoy this! good stuff

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adamzZz wrote:
October 2009

One of the best bands ever.

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AndreaVolta wrote:
October 2009

música fina como la que necesito

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Iantastic wrote:
October 2009

We don't need another Suburban Light. That's what we have Suburban Light for. New album is tops.

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p-u-m-p wrote:
October 2009

i can't seem to make you mine - can't stop listening to !

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Srhz wrote:
October 2009

blownaway

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lastfmrolodex wrote:
October 2009

if you like this band please join: http://www.last.fm/group/riigo%27s+opinions+appreciation+group

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workpath wrote:
October 2009

Listening to Bonfires on the Heath. First, I love the album art. It's perfect, who's the designer? Second, The Clientele once again earn a place in my heart not many bands do.

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coke_stuff wrote:
October 2009

what a band

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road_to_ruin wrote:
October 2009

Even if I don't listen to them very often I have to say that they are one of my favourite bands. I first heard Suburban light and it was a great surprise to hear the new album! Nice with a band that develops and bring in new stuff.

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citizendickorg wrote:
September 2009

The Clientele – Bonfires on the Heath – Album Review http://citizendick.org/2009/09/28/the-clientele-bonfires-on-the-heath-album-review/

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gonzstrokes wrote:
September 2009

Nice new album :B

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darthsketch wrote:
September 2009

Bookshop rock. Love it ^_^

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icedopethblind1 wrote:
September 2009

the new album is phenomenal

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Videos

Events

Dec 6 The Clientele + The Cavalcade @ The Hangover Lounge The Lexington, London, United Kingdom
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Dec 6 Bandstand Busking - December 6th Victoria Park, London, United Kingdom
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News

Watch out Britain you're next

6 Nov 2009 | from www.theclientele.co.uk/news/

Bonfires On The Heath will be released in the UK/Europe on November 30th, and in Australia some time in December. And it's already available in the US! buy it here; (UK/Europe preorders available here) Headlining London shows coming up…

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