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Resident Focus: Tara Clerkin Trio

Tara, Pat and Sunny make up the Bristol trio renowned for their glistening jazz-infused experimental music. After many years gigging the band have become a staple in the city's vibrant music scene and beloved by it's patrons. Their show has been essential listening for fans of the station since it's beginning, have a read and learn a bit more.

Words Noods Editorial Published 02.03.23
N

Tell us a little about yourself, where you are in the world, one fun fact about yourselves?

TCT

We are a band, we are in Bristol, we all like pizza except for Patch who hates it.

N

How are you spending your days at the moment?

TCT

We’ve been practicing and recording in our living room quite a bit lately, and going to gigs and the pub, and working our jobs while we’re in Bristol. Also we’re away touring a lot these days so playing gigs, mooching round various cities and sitting on trains.

N

Favourite thing to hear in nature?

TCT

I really like it in snowy places cause everything sounds really quiet and close, like a snowy forest is probably the best. Or a gently lapping lake. Also if you’re walking in a park and hear people playing football in the distance, that’s really nice.

N

Dream retirement regime, set the scene?

TCT

We’ll be living in a commune by then for sure. Painting, making music, making pots and sculptures maybe? Loads of hobbies. Lots of people around would be nice, in some nice nature setting, but often popping into the city to go to the opera and that.

N

If you could have anyone around for dinner, who would it be and what would you cook?

TCT

Kay from Kay’s Cooking, sausage curry.

N

Tell me about your other creative endeavours.

TCT

We’re all pretty music-focussed at the moment, we’ve all got solo stuff we do as well as the trio. Sunny makes videos for his solo tunes. Tara and Pat have a split side live tape out recently on Bliss Archive, and we all contributed some solo/duo stuff to the new World Of Echo compilation called Thorn Valley. Otherwise, Pat ‘creates’ all sorts of tasty booze, nettle wine and homemade cider were big hits last year. And Tara loves making pottery. We’re always trying out new instruments as well - Tara’s current flavour of the month is classical guitar and Sunny started playing Trombone a few weeks ago.

N

Best road trip snacks and what album is non-negotiable?

TCT

Obviously we’re always looking for a Greggs logo on the service station signs, so never do a journey without having a vegan sausi roll at some point. Sunny always gets M&S crispy potato sticks which are pretty awkward to eat while you’re driving. We drove to Spain once and the service stations there are insane, they serve all sorts of really delicious freshly made tapas stuff for real cheap. Probs our two most played car CD’s are Broadcast and The Focus Group Investigate Witch Cults of The Radio Age & The Love Below by Outkast.

N

What album do you think was criminally underrated and unfairly slept on?

TCT

Lolina in general.

N

What is inspiring you outside of music right now?

TCT

I'm feeling inspired by films a lot recently — have been watching them at home and going the cinema quite a bit.

You can find Tara Clerkin Trio's archive of shows for us here.