Liverpool band Clean Cut Kid to perform at Cambridge Corn Exchange
Bassist Saul Godman looks forward to the gig on May 4, supporting soul singer Michael Kiwanuka.
Clean Cut Kid is a Liverpool-based fuzz-pop band consisting of vocalist/guitarist Mike Halls, his Irish-born wife Evelyn Halls on keyboards and vocals and Saul Godman and Ross Higginson, on bass and drums respectively.
The band has recently unveiled the video for their brand new single, Leaving You Behind, which premiered as Mistajam’s Hottest Record In The World on Radio 1. Their debut album is out on May 5, the day after they perform in Cambridge, and the hardworking foursome has already started work on the follow-up.
“We’ve only been to Cambridge once actually,” said Saul, “and it was with Michael Kiwanuka. It was a great gig. It was only a small one, to be honest, but it was rammed to the back – it was proper up-close-and-personal.”
Clean Cut Kid’s album is entitled Felt. Asked how long it’s been in-the-making, Saul replied: “When we got signed, we already had about 180 songs, so when we signed to Polydor they said: ‘As much as we love all the songs, we think every one you write seems to be getting better each time.
“It’s been a process of recording what we’ve already got, combined with as soon as a new one’s written, then recording that as well.
“In total, it’s been around two years – and some songs have been recorded two or three times to make sure the sound’s exactly right. It’s been a labour of love, but a lot of work’s gone into it.”
What themes are addressed on the record? “The songs are about a long-term relationship of Mike’s, and it’s pretty much about him getting over it and meeting Evelyn,” noted Saul.
“It’s very personal and, apart from one song that mentions Evelyn’s name, anyone can relate to it.”
The group has been opening shows for The Kooks, as well as for Michael Kiwanuka, and will embark on their own tour – and festival dates – once those dates have finished.
“Our own gigs have doubled in size since the last time we played – we’ve got a 1,200 capacity in Liverpool and something similar to that in London at Scala,” concluded Saul. “The venues are getting bigger.”
For more information on Clean Cut Kid, visit: cleancutkid.co.uk.