Karen from the Scottish Music Network recently sat down for a lovely, heart-to-heart chat with Harry and Locon from Cliffords, catching them just as they were buzzing from their high-energy set at a Glasgow festival.
You cannot talk about a Glasgow festival without mentioning the weather, can you? The trio shared some laughs about the classic Scottish drizzle – a complete 180 from the scorching heatwave they braved during their last interview a summer ago! But even with an early morning time slot and the typical grey skies, the guys were absolutely beaming. They could not stop raving about the incredible Glasgow crowd, who showed up in droves and braved the rain to give them the warmest of welcomes. When Karen asked about pre-show jitters, the duo just laughed them off. They have mastered the art of staying cool, crediting their calm stage presence to a healthy dose of “exposure therapy” and a pure, infectious love for performing live.
The conversation then took a deep dive into the creative magic behind their sound. It turns out Harry and Locon have been tucked away in a tiny, windowless (and, in true indie-band fashion, slightly damp!) room in Blackpool, Cork. They have been sticking to a disciplined 9-to-5 writing routine every single weekday, and that hard work is seriously paying off. They have already penned a mountain of new material and even got to road-test a few tracks for the festival fans. Seeing the crowd’s glowing reaction to the unreleased songs has left them more excited than ever for what is to come. Unfortunately, duty called – the guys had to dash off to catch an early train, meaning they missed seeing the other bands, which was a bit of a bittersweet end to such a fantastic day.
Looking ahead, the Cliffords have big plans! Their main mission for the year is to get into the studio and record all those songs they have been perfecting in Cork, paving the way for even more tours and live shows. Before they left, Karen just had to ask about the story behind their name – a classic question the boys always have a soft spot for. It is actually a beautiful tribute to their former drummer Daniel Ryan’s dog, Clifford, who was a constant, furry fixture during their very first rehearsals.
As the chat wrapped up, Karen promised to share the full story with the Scottish Music Network family and wished the boys a safe journey home. It was such a wonderful glimpse into the lives of a dedicated, humble band who truly value their fans as much as their craft. Keep your ears open – big things are coming from the Cliffords!
Interview by Karen Edmond
Photographs by James Edmond Photography
