An Interview With “Too Close” Hitmaker, ALEX CLARE!

In 2011, the British singer-songwriter, ALEX CLARE released “Too Close” and rose to number 7 on the US Billboard Hot 100. It was also nominated for the Brit Award Best British Single at the 2013 BRIT Awards.

Last year, Clare  released his second full-length album entitled “Three Hearts”. Along with the collection’s lead single, “War Rages On”, there is a cover of Robert Palmer’s “Addicted To Love”. Learn more about Alex Clare in the following All Access interview:

Can you remember the first moment that you decided you wanted to be a performer? 

I was actually a young chef when I became a musician. I started playing the trumpet at 7 and drums at 10 and played with bands all through my teenage years and at 18 whilst in chef school, I was in a band doing backing vocals and the band realized my voice was much more powerful, not necessarily better but louder and powerful and things went from there.

I have read that you played the trumpet and drums growing up. Why did you stop playing those and devote your time to singing and playing the guitar instead? Do you ever pick up those instruments now?

I still play drums more in the studio than live. Trumpet, I don’t know it’s hard to get back into, I haven’t played for so long but I would love to get back into it.

Why the cover of Robert Palmer’s “Addicted To Love”? Have you always been a big fan of that song?

He’s a bad man and it’s a great song. It’s not so much that I was a fan but it sounded good when we did it so we decided to keep it in

What do you think it was about your hit “Too Close” that really resonated with people? How did you feel about Microsoft using it initially?

I was very happy with Microsoft using it! It got out to a whole load of people who wouldn’t necessarily have heard it. Also during that time no one was making that kind of music and it was what people wanted to hear.

How did your working relationship with the band, Rudimental come to be?

Someone suggested we work together, we both live in London and moved in the same circles so got suggested

Thus far, what’s a favorite memory or something quirky that’s taken place with you (in-studio, onstage, or elsewhere)?

Playing Lalopalooza in 2013 and having 30,000 people all singing your songs back to you is something I will always remember and cherish.

When you aren’t writing new material or performing, what do you like to do for fun?

My work is my fun, I get to play music, it’s my music and my work. Otherwise I read, fish and hang out with my family.

What advice would you give to a musician just getting started

Go study medicine! 🙂