Irish singer-songwriter David Clements has released his new album, The Garden, and plays Belfast's Ulster Hall on 20 December. We asked him the BIG questions . . .
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The 11-track album was written with Snow Patrol’s Iain Archer and Jacknife Lee and comes eight years since the release of David’s debut album, The Longest Day in History.
Speaking about the album’s lead single, Little Outsider, which was co-written with Archer, he says, "It’s a song I wrote with Iain about the joys and madness of having kids.
"About how disorientating it can be, how at times you’re constantly trying to find your footing, but also how there’s so much happiness to be found in all of those moments."
In 2022, David stood in as lead singer of Two Door Cinema Club on their South American festival run and he was invited to Washington D.C. in 2023 to perform at the capital's St Patrick's Day Gala Concert, alongside James Vincent McMorrow, SOAK and Tolü Makay.
Tell us three things about yourself . . .
I worked as an extra on Game of Thrones as one of the Unsullied. I once won a school music prize for the saxophone, but I’d given it up by the time I collected the award. Richard Schiff, who played Toby in The West Wing, took my number at a gig in Washington DC and said he’d go golfing with me when he’s in Northern Ireland. Still waiting on the call.
How would you describe your music?
It’s fairly broad-ranging singer/songwriter music; alt folk that’s rooted in indie rock.
Who are your musical inspirations?
I’ve spent a lot of time over the years listening to bands like The National, Bon Iver, Laura Marling, James Vincent McMorrow and Feist to name a few. Recently, though, I’ve been loving Divorce. I think they’ve got a great new take on an Americana sound.
What was the first gig you ever went to?
Stereophonics in the Ulster Hall when they released Just Enough Education To Perform with Turin Brakes supporting.
What was the first record you ever bought?
The first single I bought was Free as a Bird by the Beatles, and sadly the first album I remember buying was the Southpark soundtrack. I only really remember that because the first shop I tried to buy it in turned me away because I was too young.
What’s your favourite song right now?
May Ninth by Khruangbin.
Favourite lyric of all time?
"It’s not one thing or the other, it’s all things all at once" - Tired Pony
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Mayonnaise by the Smashing Pumpkins.
Where can people find your music/more information?
Instagram and Bandcamp.
Alan Corr
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