Music > Interviews

The Clause

22/01/24

Too often, the importance of independent venues is underestimated- they continue to support emerging artists on their journeys as musicians, allow the musical community to thrive together and provide us fans with brilliant nights of live music! 

This week marks ‘Independent Venue Week’, allowing us to celebrate the abundance of incredible independent venues that exist across the UK.

 
This Sunday, as part of their exclusive tour for Independent Venue week, 4- piece alternative group ‘The Clause’ will be performing at The Waterfront.  

I caught up with singer, Pearce Macca, last week to discover the journey of the band, how they were feeling ahead of the start of the tour, as well as why we should continue to support independent venues!   
 
When did your journey as a band begin? 

It’s a long story haha. Myself (singer), Niall (drummer) and (Jonny) met in secondary school and somehow found each other despite being in different friendship groups. We started up a little band for a bit of fun, playing covers of all our favourite bands throughout our school days. After we left school and went into Sixth Form, I met Liam (guitarist) at a gig in Birmingham and following that he joined the band. We decided to put on our first headline gig in a small venue called The Rainbow in Birmingham when we were around 17 years old, playing the 2 original songs we had written at the time and a set of covers. Somehow we sold it out to about 160 people, and realised we might be onto something here. We sat down and thought let’s give this a proper go, that’s where The Clause began. 

How would you describe your music? 

Feel good Indie-Disco with a raw Rock and Roll energy. 

Where do you look for inspiration? 

A lot of our tunes run a bit of a social commentary on our experiences growing up and what’s surrounded us. The main message is to get out the house, go enjoy yourself, be yourself and live for the moment. 

How are you feeling ahead of the start of your 'Independent venue week tour', on the 25th January?

 
We’re absolutely buzzing man. Tickets are absolutely flying out for it in some big independent venues across the country. Can’t wait to get up on stage and cure some January blues, it’s gonna be a massive couple of weeks. 

What importance does supporting independent venues hold to you as a band? 

The Clause wouldn’t exist without independent venues, we built ourselves up from nothing and these venues are where we learnt our trade. They’re the backbone of the industry and they need to be protected and supported. To see so many shutting down over the past few years is so sad and it’s dangerous for the wellbeing of music. All great bands start off in independent venues, if they don’t exist, neither do these bands. 
 
How do you believe we can support upcoming musicians and independent venues? 

I think it’s important for people to get out and support upcoming bands in these independent venues. The only way we’re going to be able to protect these venues is by filling them with people and good music. I know it’s a lot more difficult for people to do so in today's economic climate but if you have the opportunity, go out and invest in the future of music by getting into grassroots bands in independent venues, it means a lot. 

What is your favourite thing about the music industry? 

The diversity of it. There’s so many different people from different backgrounds creating their own art and releasing it into the world. To get to tour around the country and meet all of these people is a big highlight for me.

 
What power does music hold? 

Couldn’t imagine life without it. Music is a release, there’s no mood it won’t cure. If you’re having a bad day, stick your favourite record on and everything feels alright again. 

What advice would you give to any aspiring musicians? 

Just go for it man, if you want it give it everything you’ve got. It’s a tough nut to crack and you might have some bad days in this industry, but you’ll have memories that’ll last you a lifetime.
 
Make sure to keep up to date with the amazing music of ‘The Clause’ on their Instagram (@theclauseuk)!