In an era of viral-baiting, sample-rehashing dance music, a true artist who cuts through the nostalgic noise can be hard to find. Enter Clementine Douglas, whose honest songwriting, soulful vocals and love of live instrumentation bring a distinctly human element to an overstuffed scene.
The Birmingham-born musician (who’s of Jamaican, Irish and British descent) used to be a dinner lady, only starting to write toplines and send her a cappella vocals to DJs and producers during lockdown. She’s since clocked over 400million streams for her features on club and festival anthems like ‘Mixed Emotions’ with drum’n’bass duo Chase & Status and ‘Asking’ by house producers Sonny Fodera and MK; she also features on ‘Happier’ from The Blessed Madonna’s upcoming debut album. In 2022, she clinched the Radio 1 Dance vocalist of the year award.
Now, Douglas is stepping out as a solo artist. Talking to NME ahead of a songwriting trip to Los Angeles, she shares that she craved the freedom of creative control, and was inspired by the likes of RAYE and Becky Hill. “Seeing them made me realise it was possible,” she reflects.
Her cinematic, string-filled debut single ‘Riddles’ chronicles her story so far, particularly the self-doubt she faced. “It felt like a good first page in the chapter of a new book,” she says. Follow-up ‘Slippin’ – about “letting go of the bullshit that holds you back” – is similarly self-reflective, while upcoming single ‘True’ fuses a gospel-style vocal with light breakbeats, offering a glimpse of what’s to come from Douglas: “I’m trying to enjoy the process and not be too stuck on things that are set in the future.”
Ahead of a UK tour (the first five dates of which sold out in under a minute), Douglas speaks to NME about her winding musical journey, the organic sound she’s chasing, and her goal to one day sell out the Royal Albert Hall.
“If I suddenly had a music career in my early 20s, maybe I wouldn’t be so grateful as I am now”
How did you get into music?
“I was brought up in a family that really loves music – especially soul and reggae – so would always be encouraged to sing and dance. My teachers couldn’t shut me up at school either; my reports would always say I was singing in the back of class.”
You went on to be in several different bands. What were those experiences like?
“My first love was the jazz/neo-soul world, which was the first band I was in. We never put anything out but did play a few shows which I enjoyed. Then I met the Kudu Blue guys who were doing more electronic stuff; I did a feature with them but we liked working together so we made a band. That lasted for four years in Brighton and then, through lockdown, we were all having different ideas for the future so decided to call it a day. That’s when I started writing for DJs and sending out vocals.”
What was that switch to working on your own like? And how did you find inspiration, particularly being isolated?
“It was quite a change, but nice, because I could write something on my own at home and not have to check with everybody else immediately. As there was literally nothing else to do, I would get up in the morning and write all day. Some people had taken my tracks and I was doing voiceover stuff at the start of the pandemic so it was the first time I was actually doing music full-time and taking the time to to do it because, before that, I was working in kitchens and care homes.”
How was juggling all of that and trying to start a music career?
“It wasn’t easy and it took a long time. I’m 32 now, so it took well over 10 years. But I don’t regret any of it. If I suddenly had a music career in my early 20s, maybe I wouldn’t be so grateful as I am now.”
Were the producers you contacted receptive and supportive?
“A few were, and I had some cuts, but it was mostly me pouring my heart into a song and hearing nothing back for ages. It was good character-building.”
You’ve since featured on songs by Chase & Status (‘Mixed Emotions’), The Blessed Madonna (‘Happier’) and Sonny Fodera and MK (‘Asking’). Why do you think your vocals worked for tracks like those?
“With much of the old house, garage and drum’n’bass stuff I like, it’s often samples of soul songs or R&B records. That was really interesting because it’s what I love most. I changed the way I would write, often slowing it down and trying to approach it more like a soul or R&B track, rather than being like ‘I’m writing a house track’, because I feel like you get a different thing.”
Your solo music feels distinctly raw and human. Was that the aim?
“My rule for this project is no Auto-Tune allowed. I’m craving live sounds, pianos, strings and textural things. I want my music to connect with people and feel raw and not too overly polished.”
Why did you decide this year was the right time to launch your solo career?
“I feel ready now. When I look back, part of the reason it’s taken me so long is that I lacked confidence to do it on my own. I liked working with the band because you’ve got your crew to lean on. I was a bit scared of being front and centre for a while.”
“I was pouring my heart into a song and hearing nothing back for ages. It was good character-building”
Was it also a case of wanting to be in control of your own artistry?
“Yes, because when you work with people there’s always an element of having some input, but you don’t control the entire vision. It’s nice having that and being able to bring it to life.”
What are your goals for the future?
“Potentially an album. I’ve got lots of music but, honestly, I’m just enjoying writing and am going to see where it goes. I’ve got a vision for my future live show too: horns, string section, percussionist, drums, backing vocals, but not just yet. I want to play Jools Holland, do a Tiny Desk and, one day, sell out the Royal Albert Hall.”
Have you got any advice for aspiring artists looking to break into the music industry?
“Don’t let yourself hold you back and, if there’s someone you want to work with, message them. That’s what I was doing on Instagram. I’d say ‘I love your work’ and send them a bunch of vocals. You’ve got to be persistent, and believe in yourself!”
Clementine Douglas tours the UK from October 19 to 27. Her third single, ‘True’, is out soon