Biography
Clock Opera operates as an inventive and offbeat pop ensemble anchored by multi-instrumentalist Guy Connelly, a producer skilled in sampling whose soaring and emotionally candid vocals evoke Paul Buchanan of the Blue Nile, Billy Mackenzie of the Associates, and Anohni while avoiding the more intense extremes of the latter two. What began as Connelly’s solo project eventually evolved into a complete London-based band that has issued the albums Ways to Forget in 2012, the darker and more contemplative Venn in 2017, and the emotionally and sonically exploratory Carousel in 2020, alongside a substantially larger catalog of singles, EPs, and remixes.
Earlier affiliations with the Fallout Trust and the Corrections preceded Connelly’s introduction of Clock Opera via the 2009 “White Noise” 7" on Puregroove; its A-side, defined by abrupt surges of energy and stark contrasts between sparse passages and densely layered, processed sections, set the pattern for subsequent work. The following year brought considerable output, including the singles “Piece of String” on Maman and “Once and for All” on Kitsuné, plus remixes of the Phenomenal Handclap Band’s “Baby,” Marina & the Diamonds’ “I Am Not a Robot,” the Drums’ “Me and the Moon,” and Au Revoir Simone’s “Tell Me.” The 2011 single “Belongings” appeared on Moshi Moshi.
Connelly expanded the project into a full band by enlisting housemate Andy West on bass and guitar, friend Dan Armstrong on keyboards, and drummer Che Albrighton, who had previously collaborated with West. These short-form releases and personnel changes led to the well-received debut album Ways to Forget on Moshi Moshi in 2012. After Armstrong’s exit and replacement by Nic Nell, Clock Opera issued Venn on the !K7 label in 2017; without West, the remaining trio delivered the 2020 LP Carousel, whose creation reflected Connelly’s response to becoming a father.
Earlier affiliations with the Fallout Trust and the Corrections preceded Connelly’s introduction of Clock Opera via the 2009 “White Noise” 7" on Puregroove; its A-side, defined by abrupt surges of energy and stark contrasts between sparse passages and densely layered, processed sections, set the pattern for subsequent work. The following year brought considerable output, including the singles “Piece of String” on Maman and “Once and for All” on Kitsuné, plus remixes of the Phenomenal Handclap Band’s “Baby,” Marina & the Diamonds’ “I Am Not a Robot,” the Drums’ “Me and the Moon,” and Au Revoir Simone’s “Tell Me.” The 2011 single “Belongings” appeared on Moshi Moshi.
Connelly expanded the project into a full band by enlisting housemate Andy West on bass and guitar, friend Dan Armstrong on keyboards, and drummer Che Albrighton, who had previously collaborated with West. These short-form releases and personnel changes led to the well-received debut album Ways to Forget on Moshi Moshi in 2012. After Armstrong’s exit and replacement by Nic Nell, Clock Opera issued Venn on the !K7 label in 2017; without West, the remaining trio delivered the 2020 LP Carousel, whose creation reflected Connelly’s response to becoming a father.
Albums
Singles
