Les Clochards were conceived in 2005 when accordionist Karen Cleave and singer/guitarist Ian Nixon decided that the chanson tradition is a deeper, wider seam than many had realised, linking Jacques Brel to Southern Soul via Gene Vincent. In due course the line-up expanded, a punishing gig schedule was pursued and two well-received singles, Démodé and Tango Borracho, were released and quickly sold out. Current personnel is Karen and Ian plus bassist Dean Ryan, percussionist Gary Neville, chanteuse Corinne Mateo and guitarist Peter Momtchiloff. Les Clochards exist for anyone who can hear the duende in Gene Vincent’s version of Over The Rainbow, who recognizes the blues in Georges Brassens’ Je Me Suis Fait Tout P’tit, who can see the Smokey Robinson in Serge Gainsbourg, the Jacques Brel in Candi Staton.
