5 Songs I Love w/ Dave Clark

Following the release of his latest single 'I called for you', Flex caught up with London-based singer-songwriter Dave Clark to find out what influences his emotionally charged indie sound. If you enjoy Dave's picks, be sure to check out 'I called for you' at the end of the article.

1. Talking Heads - Once in a Lifetime

 I Just love David Byrne anyway for his invention and the way he mixes music with the visual arts - a true genius. This song from talking heads though is one of the themes of my life. Lyrics that absorb you into a different place, production (with Brian Eno) that creates an envelope of sound without losing the song - brilliant.

2. John Martyn - Solid Air

I've got many acoustic guitar heroes (too many) I could have picked any one from dozens, but John Martyn is the one who makes me say” I wish I could do that". His skill level was right up there but he didn’t use it to showboat, he had the ability to write songs where the guitar didn’t overwhelm. Plus, he was always experimenting and moving forward, reinventing his sound.  Solid Air was a revelation, combining jazz, folk, and soulful vocals.

3. Tom Waits - Hoist The Rag

I first came across Tom Waits with the Real Gone album. The whole thing is raw and visceral - hits you like a brick.  Not for everyone I suppose, choppy rhythms, strange sounds, broken glass voice, but there's not many other artists I actually read the lyrics outside of the song. "Hoist that Rag" drips with atmosphere and scorn.

4. Christine and the Queens - Tilted

My partner was brought up in France and we have a running tussle on my claim that French music is generally crap (I don’t really believe that tbh but it’s good to get her annoyed).

In an attempt to find some French music we both liked I chanced upon Christine and the Queens and we both found something we can pin to our musical flags.

Great songs, thought provoking themes of identity, and again as a project, combine visual/dance/music in a brilliant way. 

5. Paul Weller - Wild Wood 

Another long-time hero, always exploring and looking for new places to take his music. There are so many songs from any of his many eras but “Wildwood” sticks. 

I like the way it starts in a gentle way then builds and swells as it goes on to become almost a shout. I love texture in a song, to get taken on a journey that you can get lost in is what music should be about isn’t it?

Listen to Dave Clark - 'I called for you'