Alex Clare

Alexander George Clare, born on September 14, 1985, in London, England, developed an early affinity for blues, soul, jazz, and later, electronic music genres such as drum and bass and dubstep. His musical journey began with learning trumpet and drums, eventually focusing on guitar and songwriting, performing at open mic nights with original compositions. He attended Bishop Challoner School and Westminster Kingsway College, where he studied catering. His distinctive vocal style, combining raw soul with contemporary electronic production, earned him a record deal at a young age.

Clare’s debut album, “The Lateness of the Hour,” was released in July 2011 on Island Records, featuring production by Mike Spencer and Major Lazer. Despite initial mixed commercial performance, his career saw a significant turning point in March 2012 when his single “Too Close” was featured in a Microsoft Internet Explorer 9 advertisement. This exposure propelled the song to number 4 on the UK Singles Chart and number 7 on the US Billboard Hot 100, earning him a Brit Award nomination and a new distribution deal with Universal Republic in America. This unexpected success revitalized his career after an earlier drop from his record label.

In 2014, Clare released his second album, “Three Hearts,” and in 2016, “Tail of Lions,” the latter informed by his spiritual journey and move to Jerusalem in 2015. Over the years, he has collaborated with artists such as Rudimental, Sub Focus, Bakermat, and Don Diablo, lending his vocals to various tracks and showcasing his versatility. He released an acoustic album, “Three Days at Greenmount,” in 2018, and returned from a five-year hiatus in 2021 with the single “Why Don’t Ya,” signalling new music after working with Jamie Hartman during the COVID-19 lockdown. Clare has consistently pursued his musical and personal path, balancing his career with his commitment to Orthodox Judaism, a decision that has at times influenced his professional opportunities.