Biography
Clearlake originated in the coastal English community of Hove, where their unconventional approach to songcraft has provoked, mystified, and captivated journalists along with listeners ever since the January 2000 appearance of their “Winterlight” 7-inch on Dusty Company, an imprint connected to Domino. Vocalist, guitarist, and keyboardist Jason Pegg had relocated to Hove for art-school studies and previously performed with the unconventional groups the Fish Brothers and Not a Bit of Wood; he assembled Clearlake alongside fellow student Sam Hewitt on keyboards and samples. Bassist David Woodward and drummer James Butcher completed the quartet, which began blending an idiosyncratic array of reference points—Van Der Graaf Generator, Motown, and Talk Talk—filtered through a distinctly British lyrical lens. The well-received follow-up singles “Don’t Let the Cold In” and “Something to Look Forward To” quickly appeared.
Issued in April 2001, the band’s first long-player Lido drew largely enthusiastic notices from the British music weeklies; NME declared that “in terms of sheer charm and lustre, Clearlake leave their contemporaries out in the cold.” The subsequent release “Let Go” paired an original with a warmly rendered version of Neil Young’s “Cinnamon Girl.” In 2003 the group signed with Domino’s American division and delivered both the Almost the Same EP and the full-length Cedars. After the British tour concluded, James Butcher departed and Toby May assumed the drum chair. Two years afterward the second EP Wonder If the Snow Will Settle surfaced.
Jason Pegg handled production duties for the third album Amber, which reached stores in 2006; co-founder Sam Hewitt exited during the recording process. A new member was slated to be revealed in February of that year, coinciding with scheduled British performances.
Issued in April 2001, the band’s first long-player Lido drew largely enthusiastic notices from the British music weeklies; NME declared that “in terms of sheer charm and lustre, Clearlake leave their contemporaries out in the cold.” The subsequent release “Let Go” paired an original with a warmly rendered version of Neil Young’s “Cinnamon Girl.” In 2003 the group signed with Domino’s American division and delivered both the Almost the Same EP and the full-length Cedars. After the British tour concluded, James Butcher departed and Toby May assumed the drum chair. Two years afterward the second EP Wonder If the Snow Will Settle surfaced.
Jason Pegg handled production duties for the third album Amber, which reached stores in 2006; co-founder Sam Hewitt exited during the recording process. A new member was slated to be revealed in February of that year, coinciding with scheduled British performances.
Albums
