It appears Clive From Accounts likes to play up to the 'beige' man of electronic music image but that is rather undermined by having a number of his own tracks released on well respected independent labels together with some higher profile remixes but what got him even more attention was the associaton with NYC's Razor-N-Tape label.
So much so that our own Will Sumsuch has said that he's "one of my favourite producers"! And more folks are going to be saying this in the future as CFA moves from the the back office to front of stage with the release of his "greatest hits" debut album, so we jumped at the chance to find out more.
YATM: Sumsuch played 'Konsumu Suru ft. Maya Kuroki & Jessica Roch' on his latest show and even for a pretty diverse album, the funky track with Japanese vocals by Maya Kuroki & violin by Jessica Roch, how did that come about?
CLA: Thanks! It started as a little jam with the Pulsar 23 and some modular bits sequenced outside of the computer, with hand played synth chords on top. I liked the feel but didn’t really know what to do with it. Fast forward a bit to randomly coming across Maya’s amazing band Teke Teke on an insta (Ed. @teke_teke_band - our new favourite Japanese psych-rock band). I got in touch and thankfully she was up for collaborating! I sent a main track and then this little jam loop, hurriedly cobbled together into some kind of structure.
During the wait I was recording Jess and we had a go at the same track, doing some long takes: her on violin and me manipulating the recordings live with granular modular effects, space echo etc.
Maya delivered some astounding vocals, particularly over this little secondary track. I then spent a long time adding to and editing everything together into a cohesive song where the violin and vocals could both shine. They sound meant to be together now but it’s funny they were completely unaware of each other at the time!
YATM: I suppose we ought to start at the beginning, where did it all begin for you as a musician/fan, 'It Began' sounds influenced by early Ninja Tune?
CLA: Aside from growing up in a music loving household and soaking up lots of core influences from Prince to Sun Ra, the personal start for me was Drum n Bass in about ’98. Through to Dj Shadow, Deep funk and then into the world of digging for more eclectic sounds. I’ve always loved Coldcut, especially the early cut n paste stuff so the mighty Ninja Tune isn’t too far away. I’d say almost everything I do is influenced by that Ahead Of Our Time era stuff. It blew my mind when I first heard it.
With 'It Began' the loose idea was to blend early electro hiphop with more world flavours and see what happens. It morphed a bit but still has that DNA.
YATM: Talking of Ninja Tune/Big Dada, 'Heavier' featuring Riko Dan and 'All That Matters' featuring Kipp Stone has that classic hip-hop meets Dorothy Ashby spiritual jazz vibe.
CLA: I’ve never actually met Riko in person either. It ws cold calling again from me and I’m just over the moon that he was up for it! I sent him the beat and he just destroyed the vocals and sent me back the stems a few days later. Really incredible.
[The] same with Kipp but that was all handled by Aaron at the label (Razor-n-Tape) as they’re all US based.
I like the fact they’re short and dense with ideas. I’d rather make something that warrants repeat listening than gets boring and repetitive!
YATM: Then we flit from post-dubstep East London to NY disco 'Amibka' and 'e-Magik' in this diverse but dancefloor friendly approach attract you to JKriv's Razor N Tape label and vice versa?
CLA: It’s always a pleasure to work with them and I’m constantly inspired by their output. I also really respect the way they were so open to releasing all these different genres that are on the album.
With 'Ambika' and 'e-Magic', alongside what you mentioned there was also a big French influence; I love Roulé Records particularly (Ed. always worth checking out Thomas Bangalter's history - and his Dad's!)
YATM: That's funny as I was going to say 'e-Magik' has a Studio 54 meets Daft Punk sound and then 'Did You See' is another dance like Yellow Magic Orchestra vs.Arthur Russell uptown with big strings. Are there plans for a tour?
CLA: That’s high praise indeed, thank you! I’ve only done a handful of Clive Gigs so far, one of them being the super prestigious Low Life which was unreal. I actually played a very early version of 'Did You See' that night (Halloween ‘23). I have a gig at the Prince of Wales, Brixton [What’s On – POW] for Maizon on May 17th and I’m also toying with the idea of doing an album release party somewhere. [maizon.ldn]
YATM: Have you got a large collection of old syths/keyboards computer s/ware programmes - which are you favourites?
CLA: Synths are my weakness! I’ve had a ton of them in my time, sold/traded most of them, and nearly always regretted it. I just don’t have the space to keep too many at once sadly. Current bits that are all over the album are the Oberheim Xpander, Minimoog, Octave Cat, Juno 6, Novation Peak, Mutable Ambika (hint hint), Prophet 10, Dinsync Re303 (a perfect clone), my DIY 808 I built and various modular pieces. The Bass and synth parts on 'Did You See are from my Jupiter 6 which I ended up selling.. it makes the song a real tearjerker for me haha.
YATM: When are we going to find out what the 'bonus' track is on the vinyl release? It's not the Hectic Extension of 'Heavier' is it? (Only joking)
CLA: I’m sworn to secrecy so you’ll have to get your hands on the vinyl to find out! All I can say is It’s one of my fave tracks from the album, quite different in style again and will never be released digitally so snap it up while you can. C x
Well, that was an great insight as to how to producer an album that is 'The Very Best of Clive From Accounts'. Not sure why Clive descided not to answer my questions on the very best tax avoidance schemes; possibly as 'The Very Best of Clive From Accounts' will be such a huge hit he'll leave all that bookwork behind him and (re-)buy a Jupiter 6?
Review will be HERE soon.
Artist: Clive From Accounts
Title: Razor-N-Tape,
Release date: 28th February, 2025
Label : Razor-N-Tape
Catalog Number : TBC
Format: 12" vinyl / Digital / Bandcamp LINK
Tracklist:
A1 It Began
A2 Save Me
A3 Ambika
A4 All That Matters ft. Kipp Stone
B1 Heavier ft. Riko Dan
B2 Konsumu Suru ft. Maya Kuroki & Jessica Roch
B3 Spectrum
B4 ?????
A1 It Began
A2 Save Me
A3 Ambika
A4 All That Matters ft. Kipp Stone
B1 Heavier ft. Riko Dan
B2 Konsumu Suru ft. Maya Kuroki & Jessica Roch
B3 Spectrum
B4 ?????
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