ADE BLACKBURN OF CLINIC
When an outfit spans across multiple decades and have released numerous albums within that timeframe, it not only testifies to their staying power and what it takes for an act to sustain such longevity but raises questions about their internal mechanics. Clinic are that band and we attempt to discover what is it that propels them ever forward, searching in an endless creative pursuit that yields nothing less than one phenomenal record after another.
Through their own idiosyncratic approach, instrumental finesse and sedimentary wisdom, momentary records are crystallised. This is highlighted for the ninth time by Fantasy Island, the latest studio album by the English outfit. Asking founding member Ade Blackburn if a little piece from each previous record, albeit minor, is embedded in Fantasy Island’s DNA or if this time around it was treated as more of a standalone album, Ade clarifies. “Yes, it’s inevitable there’ll be pieces of the past in the LP’s DNA. It does feel more like a standalone album though, the sound of the synths, drum machines and Roland 303 give the album its own identity and sets it apart. Lyrically as well this album feels of a piece, I think it has more humour.”
Broadly speaking the fabric of the record as Ade describes it explores certain themes. “The themes would be having fun, escapism, romance, loss of the old world, greed and selfishness. Also, the role of music in those themes.” Each of these topics are addressed in various ways but chief amongst them is through the characteristic lyricism the band use to such great effect. By dissecting Clinic’s lyrical style, it is a reasonable question to ask if throughout the years their lyricism have mirrored, parodied or railed against social and political norms. Or have they simply been produced in parallel, running their own course irrespective of topical and societal climates? For Ade, “I’d say the former, it’s quite satirical but without getting bogged down too much in trends or specific topical issues. I think the underlying themes in the lyrics are fairly universal, I try and avoid things that date the lyrics.” In accentuating the impact of the lyrics themselves, nothing reinforces the quintessential sound of Clinic then Ade’s distinctive vocal delivery which is cemented in the cerebral of every listener. How much of that is unintentional and an inherit feature as a Liverpudlian and how much of it is a deliberate and crafted sonic tool that helps fashion the signature sound of Clinic? Ade categorically answers by saying. “It’s unintentional and just the way I sing. I didn’t really set out to be a vocalist and ended up with a more primitive and untutored way of singing, which luckily suits the music well. I’m not keen on technically perfect vocals, as you can tell”.
Recording Fantasy Island in an old studio on Merseyside during the summer of 2019 it would be fair to say that by now Clinic have found the secret recipe for what makes the ideal setting and what is most conducive to capturing the true essence of what they are trying to lay down on tape. Ade elaborates by saying, “Probably the secret recipe is just to have our own space and time to make the music. That makes a huge difference and crucially it’s more fun. The main advantage is you can be more objective and take breaks away from the music, it helps to avoid driving yourself mad!” This nugget of wisdom isn’t a new concept that has recently dawned upon Clinic but one that is rooted is their earliest of days. Having learnt some crucial lessons early on Ade sums up their recording experiences by saying. “Initially we used commercial recording studios for the first three albums and since 2006 we’ve recorded the music ourselves. That made things far more relaxed as you’re not constantly clock-watching. That change meant we could record more cheaply, which has served us well with the way the industry has changed.”
It is taking these experiences and extracting valuable lessons that aide a long career and by utilising advise gleamed from insightful conversations with other creatives, those epiphanies have resonated to the point of altering the way Clinic have approached their craft. As Ade goes on to say when thinking about the many great talents he has worked with over the years and the knowledge they have imparted. “The dub mixer Adrian Sherwood’s approach to music was really inspiring, creating space in songs and he was a nice person to work with. Also, the producer Gareth Evans who recorded our first album Internal Wrangler was another person who helped set things on a certain path and introduced us to new ways of working in the studio.” Although as all creatives understand, learning is a ceaseless activity and it never stops. As Claudius Mittendorfe, mixer for Fantasy Island had taught them. Known for his work with Parquet Courts and Neon Indian, it was technique and speed that were the key elements he brought to the table on this particular record. “Claudius was great with ideas for effects and working on different reverbs and echoes. He had a really good grasp of what we were going for early on and a lot of enthusiasm! He can also work quickly so it keeps a momentum and creative side to the mixing.”
The partnership was a winning one when considering Mittendorfer’s ability and that of Clinic’s hunter and gather approach to instrumentation. By employing analog and digital equipment they had foraged and experimented with such as an electronic acid bass machine, a 1970s cocktail rhythm unit, a Casio digital horn and space drum, the result is an eclectic album as Ade details. “The acid bass on the title track Fantasy Island is one of my favourite parts on the album, it adds a nice and unexpected angle. The Casio horn on Hocus Pocus is also a highlight. It has a very David Essex 1970s feel. The cocktail rhythm unit is probably best heard on The Lamplighter, it has that lovely yet spacey cocktail feel.” Yet as with all quality works, it is the entirety of the project that really shines through and is a factor that Clinic understand intimately.
The essence of the art form is an ideal Clinic have always masterfully harnessed. Be it through the visual medium within their video clips, incorporating masks into the band persona through to that of their live performances. As Ade comments in regards to their overall approach being a holistic one with a clear vision from the outset. “It’s holistic to a point as we’ll have definite things we will or won’t use. There’s a concept behind the band’s approach but it’s not always that planned with the music and visuals for each album. There’s still a strong chance element, which is important for us to keep.” An integral component to Clinic’s success is that element of chance and that can take shape in various forms.
One of the biggest chance moments that ignited their extensive career came from a man who needs no introduction, the revered John Peel. For it was a pivotal moment that set the course for a profession that is now within touching distance of thirty years. “Getting played on John Peel’s show when we started was an early highlight as everything stemmed from that. After we’d been played on John Peel we started to get music press coverage and things really snowballed.” Fast forward a couple of decades, the full circle of Clinic’s career returns to where it commenced courtesy of some personally significant live shows as Ade shares. “A gig for John Peel at the BBC’s Maida Vale studio in London. It was a live broadcast on his show and that felt like a good achievement. He was always really supportive with the band so it meant a lot to be asked on the show. More recently, we played with John Cale at a Velvet Underground event in Liverpool. I’ve always been a big fan of The Velvets so it was really nice to be asked to play the gig.”
In what may be career highlights, it is no means the conclusion as Fantasy Island attests to. A record that sees Clinic remain in their prime as they continue to produce quality work and push the sonic boundaries. So long as there are analog equipment and fx to explore and so long as there is a society to satirise, there will always be Clinic.
