NO BIG DEAL SINGLE AND DON’T HAVE A COW MAN ALBUM RELEASES

One of Scotland’s best exports, Charlie Clark is a multi-talented songwriter, musician, promoter and more. First rising to prominence as a founding member of acclaimed Glasgow indie-pop foursome Astrid, Clark has been a pro-active presence in the underground music scene for over two decades. From his role in Scottish supergroup The Reindeer Section to his own projects Broken Arrow and MJ12, Clark has earned a cult status amongst public and peers alike, becoming a go-to guest musician to the likes of Mogwai, Arab Strap and Snow Patrol in the process.

Back in Scotland after a stretch in LA as one of the city’s best regarded promoters, he is currently sharing his talents as a full-time booker at Glasgow’s legendary Nice N Sleazy venue, whilst also organising a 3 day Festival to take palace on Lewis in 2023. Reforming Astrid for new music and a whistle-stop tour at the beginning of 2022, Charlie is now putting his solo hat once more to bring us his long-awaited debut solo album: ‘Late Night Drinking’ before the year is out.

Following on from his outstanding previous releases of “Blink Of An Eye”, “Late Night Drinking”, “Don’t Have A Cow Man” and ‘I Don’t Mind If You’re Right’, the blistering new release of ‘ No Big Deal’ is a slice of pure perfection with its sonic guitar riffs and Charlie’s unmistakable bright yet raw vocals, instantly bringing the listener into the world of Mr Clark. The track is another instant classic and you can hear the influence of such indie rock n roll giants like Teenage Fanclub, The Charlatans and Oasis while all the time being treated to the shoe gaze undertones of Ride. However, as with all of Charlie’s music it has that burst of individuality and uniqueness.

Charlie Clark is a truly inspiring artist, as well as his phenomenal song writing talents he is also a true promoter and supporter of new music having his independent label No big Deal Music which is a label on a mission to introduce independent music from the Scottish Highlands and Islands to the wider world. So far, Clark has already released inspiring tracks from Isle of Lewis native Scott C Park, Scottish highlands soloist The Joshua Hotel, plus ascending LA artist Clarke & The Himselfs, Felix Saunders and The Gospel to name a few.

The inspiration for Charlie’s indie imprint ‘No Big Deal Music’, it’s a fervent and fuzzy alt/rock anthem that sets the stage for his debut solo album, ‘Late Night Drinking’, which was recently released via the label on the 25 November.

Taking its cues from lo-fi trailblazers the likes of Guided By Voices or Sebadoh, “No Big Deal” is simultaneously laidback, loud, and louche… As Charlie explains:

“I figured I’d covered rock’n’roll and drugs with the previous singles so this is the sex part. I’ll leave it to the listener to figure it out! I wanted to have a really short full on pop track with hardly anything on it…”

Taken from his debut solo LP, ‘Late Night Drinking’ (released on 25th November, via Bandcamp), “No Big Deal” stands as one of the lighter-hearted moments on the album. Shrugging-off the sonic finesses to capture a livewire atmosphere and lackadaisical feel, the single was recorded in a deliberately relaxed session with regular collaborator and producer Jason Shaw (Cambodian Space Project).

“It really was just the two of us. Recorded really quickly with few overdubs”says Charlie. “No big deal really…”

True to the playful, DIY vibe of the new single, “No Big Deal” arrives with an official video shot in Charlie’s garage in Stornoway last year.

“I’d reached out to a bunch of friends to see if anyone would like to shoot water guns filled with paint and launch water balloons at me. I was overwhelmed by the response of people I know who wanted to physically maim me. My own mother even joined in. Dear Dr Freud!”

In support of the new single and his upcoming album, Charlie Clark undertook a tour with Cadet A (United Ghosts), taking in London, Birmingham. Manchester, Liverpool and Newcastle.

Recorded and produced by Jason Shaw (Cambodian Space Project) and mastered by Mark Gardener from RIDE, the duo offer their expertise on an album studded with effervescent alternative-rock songs, shoegaze-tinted sonics, and vividly relatable lyricism.

Featuring previous singles including “Blink Of An Eye”, “Don’t Have A Cow Man!”, the eponymous title-track, “I Don’t Mind If You’re Right”, plus “No Big Deal”, the new album will be released on Charlie’s No Big Deal Music and will only be available for purchase via Bandcamp. LINKED HERE

This single ‘No Big Deal was released on the 18th November and you can WATCH OFFICIAL VIDEO HERE 

PREVIOUS PRAISE FOR CHARLIE CLARK

“A superb piece of jangle pop classicism, it seems to reference everyone from The Byrds and Big Star through to Teenage Fanclub”
CLASH

“His recordings are full of beautiful, haunted melodies and stripped down plaintive acoustic beauty.”
JOHN ROBB, LOUDER THAN WAR

“Immense choruses and deep heartfelt lyrics that serve to tighten the throat and quicken the pulse. It is vital and organic music: guitar driven indie pop at its very best”
BACK SEAT MAFIA

FOLLOW CHARLIE CLARK
FACEBOOK
TWITTER
INSTAGRAM

Sally Newman