Introducing Interview: Adam Cleaver

About to release new single, ‘The Salt Mine’, London-based singer-songwriter Adam Cleaver delivers emotive folk-filled ditties with a unique, stirring power. With his second EP due for release in Autumn, we caught up with Cleaver to find out more.

For those who don’t know you, Adam, please introduce yourself:
For sure! I’m a singer/songwriter. I grew up in London and started playing music a two or three years ago.

Can you talk us through your live band set up?
There’s four of us, including me. Drums, electric guitar, bass and acoustic guitar. The songs are quite dynamic so the live sound is pretty versatile. I’d quite like to flesh it out over time, maybe one day there’ll be 20 of us.

You’ve been playing the London circuit for a while, how do you find that?
The scene here is so varied; so many different styles and musical minds. I find it to be amazingly supportive. Considering how big the city is, it’s incredible how often you come across the same names and faces. There’s a real sense of community.

Can you tell us a bit about your new single ‘The Salt Mine’?
It’s part of an EP that’s set for release at the end of the summer. It deals with themes of loss, and the song is predominantly about the mania associated with grief. The space it occupies sonically is quite rich and atmospheric. I’m super excited for people to hear it.

Who would you say are your main influences?
I go through periods of listening to specific artists non-stop. Recently i’ve listened to a lot of Sharon Van Etten, Other Lives and Nathaniel Rateliff. I think I definitely take influence from people like Fleet Foxes, Grizzly Bear and Feist. And Joni Mitchell of course.

When did you first get into performing?
I’ve been writing for a good while now, but performing for a much shorter period. I was studying and not feeling particularly fulfilled, music became a sort of remedy, and then a sort of obsession, and now functions as a healthy part of my existence… I hope.

Are there any other bands your excited about at the moment?
There is so much great new music! HAWK are doing seriously great things on the alternative scene. As well as The Old Silent, Sophie Jamieson and Benjamin Yellowitz. All essential listening.

If you could collaborate with anyone, dead or alive, who would it be?
I like this question because it involves raising people from the dead and I have morbid fascination with zombies and zombie movies. If I could bring him back, I would write a song with Levon Helm from The Band. Mostly because of how great his voice was, but also because was just so damn cool.

Where can we catch you live next? Are you doing any festivals this year?
I have a Pre-Launch Party for ‘The Salt Mine’ on May 20 which i’m going absolutely nuts about! It’s at The New Cross Inn in South East London. There’s plenty planned for the summer which will be getting announced next month.

Adam Cleaver’s new single, ‘The Salt Mine’, is out 15 June, via Veta Records.