I see your face each time I close my eyes

The Clientele are a band I love dearly and purchase without hesitation. They formed in Hampshire, UK and are now based mostly in London.
The main influences are Felt, Galaxie 500, Love, The Zombies, Nick Drake, the Kinks to name a few. They specialise in haunting melodies based around spectral guitars and very sparse production using old valve amps and mics.

Early singles were gathered together onto an initial CD "Suburban Light" which garnered decent reviews but still not a lot of recognition.

Various CD's, 7" singles and split singles have appeared, but the first "proper" CD "The Violet Hour" was released in 2003.



... to estatic reviews... such as this from Pitchfork

...and comments like these....

"the 13 tracks here drift from Felt-lined fragility to reserved Luna-ish experimentalism" Mojo

"Ever more intent on discovering the essence of indie, the Clientele are back with an album that dissolves like a daydream and aches like a jilted bride" The Guardian

They are on the Merge label in the US. And on Pointy in the UK.
Pointy has an excellent website with lots of mp3 downloads.

So start with a song from "Suburban Light" "Reflections after Jane" (mp3) which has all of their trademark guitar sounds and melancholy melodies.
"Five Day Morning" (mp3) is also from this CD.

The first single off "The Violet Hour" was...
"House on Fire" (mp3)
One more from this CD... ).
"Everybodys Gone" (mp3)

The Clientele have a very good mailing list "Lacewings" which is worth a look as the band quite often annouce gigs and releases here first.

All their records can be purchased from the ever excellent Norman Records.
"The loveliest & best in new & used indie rock & post pop, new wave meets avant hip hop, electro, IDM & alternative beats..... to alt country & experimental sweets. Vinyl, cds and DVD's from around the world. Delivered to your doorstep by underpaid but hopefully happy post people (that means we're mail order folks)"