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Interview Details
Clinic - Exploring Subversive Textures
Interview with Ade Blackburn of Clinic By: Vivien Weimar The best art, whether is be music, books or any other facet of productions, does more than purely entertain—it evokes. Good art often causes the viewer to understand deeper meanings within the structure itself or even within the world itself. Liverpool's Clinic, the indie art rock band known as much for their Velvet Underground approach to music as much as for their trademark hospital masks. Formed a decade ago, Clinic released their fourth album,
So it should come as no surprise that when peppered with questions about the album making processes Clinic frontman Ade drops heavy philosopher/musician such as Henry Flynt as an influence on their latest output. And while Visitations may not quite reach the level of a "blueprint for higher civilization", it is still a wonderful piece of conceptual art that while not straying far from Clinic's traditional cut-up sound, still manages to produce the kind of music that makes one actively think rather than sit back and be merely entertained.
Clinic intentionally try to remain an enigma, though Ade did his best to shed light on at least the band's touring and recording plans for the future.
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Visitations (Domino)
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How was Noise Pop? Any bands that really impressed you? Or interesting anecdotes you can impart?
Noise Pop was really well put together and not just geared around money as a festival. It was very different and more inspiring than most UK festivals.
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You also just wrapped up a short US cities' tour. How has the new album been received?
We played the majority of the new album live. Most of the songs are based around dumb fuzz riffs, which are always a good and entertaining bet for a live show. It was enjoyable to play after such a long break.
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Your recent B-side release, "Dissolution: The Dream of Bartholomew" makes reference to the crucifixion of the biblical figure St. Bartholomew. What was your religious upbringing as children?
I went to a Church of England school in Liverpool, but I was skeptical of organised religion from early on. Psychologically it's not very reliable.
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As a band. you trade around instruments often throughout your live shows (and one assumes albums). It would seem that this would make songwriting a very organic process (i.e.- with no one person designated to traditional roles). Can you describe how you went about creating the songs in Visitations?
The songs all started out from rhythms, which we all have an input with. If the rhythms are strong you can get away with a lot more over them; it's more liberating than relying on standard chord sequences.
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Where there deliberate sounds, ideas, images, etc. that you wanted to achieve when making the new album? Or any parts of Winchester Cathedral that you intentional veered away from, as you'd explored the territory already?
We knew we wanted it to be more simple, raw and direct, rather than
Winchester Cathedral song, that could be recorded quickly without relying on overdubs or subtlety too much. -
The layering of sound that comes out on your albums must be hard to reproduce live. How does your live show differ or what obstacles to you work with when recreating songs for an audience?
We don't slavishly try and recreate complex studio sounds. We prefer to play the most rock and roll or ridiculous songs so it's never a problem.
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Where did you find inspiration for Visitations?
The main inspirations were the ‘70s British band Lucifer, Faust and Henry Flynt.
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What is your take on the video making process as a whole? Clearly, there was a lot of thought that went into your latest surrealist venture, "If You Could Read Your Mind". Do you all have a concept that you take to a director or more of a mood for the song that you hope can be translated into an image?
Thanks. For both the “Harvest” and “If You Could Read Your Mind” videos we collaborated with the Director, Jason Evans, on everything. The songs seem to lend themselves well to inspiring visual ideas. We feel that it's worth paying attention to the visuals as much as with music.
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Last book read and movie you saw (in the theatre).
Last film was
A Scanner Darkly and the book was The Adept by Michael McClure. -
What album do you own and love that fans (or even friends) might not expect from you? (Or other dark guilty pleasures (such as bad reality TV).
The album - Tim Hardin 1 and the film Carry on Abroad.
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I don't read much about your backgrounds, other than you are for lads from Liverpool (and non-classically trained musicians). If you weren't in a band, what childhood aspirations might you have seen through?
I never had any set career plan when I was younger which I think is best. Liverpool is a good place to not be pigeon holed.
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What do you all do with your time off?
I enjoy going to parties and country walks.
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What is next for Clinic this summer?
This summer we're playing in South America and recording a new album. The new album has come together really quickly and is kind of mutated and desecrated pop.
For more information on Clinic see Clinic Web site