Slightest Clue, a Vancouver-based four-piece band, is an unlikely mix of diverse influences. Each member brings something different: a stage actor with playlists ranging from Talking Heads to Sonic Youth and Björk, a melody-focused ex-choir member, an electrical engineer inspired by John Bonham, and a guitarist who found his musical home after trying out ten other bands. Despite their seemingly mismatched backgrounds, when they plug in and play their blend of post-punk, alternative rock, and dark pop, something magical happens. It’s like a surprise after-school project where four kids, who might not have noticed each other in the hallways, create music that just clicks. They didn’t plan for it to work, but it does, and they don’t have the slightest clue why.
Slightest Clue is Malcolm McLaren, Hannah Kruse, Sean Ries, and Nick Sciarretta.
Name:
Slightest Clue
Genre:
Alternative Rock, Post-Punk, Garage
Founded:
2019
# of Albums:
0 but 2 EP’s
Latest Single:
Why Can’t I Call You?
Latest Video:
Favourite musician growing up:
M: Jack White
S: Billie Joe Armstrong
N: The Beatles
H: Lorde
Favourite musician now:
M: Justin Trosper from Unwound
S: Jay Reatard
N: Jon Hopkins
H: Paramore, obsessed with Hayley Williams
Guilty pleasure song:
M: Estelle-American Boy but I feel no shame for any tunes I enjoy
S: Hello by Martin Solveig. ABSOLUTE banger
N: Hips Don’t Lie by Shakira but I feel zero guilt
H: Say It Right by Nelly Furtado
Live show ritual:
M: Burger at A&W and a 2nd pick in my back pocket
S: Nervous number 2’s
H: Vocal warm-ups with my water bottle and baby straws, plus stretching my head, neck, and shoulders
N: Using any and all free drink tickets for the night
Favourite local musician:
M: Ben Lock and all his projects
S: Dead Ghosts!
H: Fionn
N: Nuclear Disco
EP or LP?
M: LP for sure
S: LP! It’s a dream to work in a studio and make one.
N: LP but I actually don’t like it when there are too many songs. Like not reading that essay thanks.
Early bird or night owl?
M: Early bird for sure, for all them worms 🙂
S: Early bird! Gotta gym while others sleep!
H: Night owl 100%, but really really trying to be better about it in 2024
N: Night owl. Some nights I’m a Great Horned owl sometimes I’m a cheeky little Barn owl HOO HOO
Road or studio?
M: Studio for sure because I love to tinker with tones, sounds and gear, its my favourite part of music creation
S: Studio! Similar to what Malcolm said, making magic all together and being able to capture crazy moments in a recording is such a good feeling.
H: We haven’t really toured, so I would have to get back to you, but if the question if “performance or studio,” I think I would have to say performance – I do totally enjoy nerding out about tone in the studio, but one thing I’ve realized in the past year is that I’m just as much a performer as I am a musician and writer.
N: I love being on the road. I’m on the road right now! Answering interview questions while driving! ZOOM ZOOM
Any shows or albums coming up?
Our upcoming EP “Carousel” came out Feb 9th!
Where can we follow you?
Linktree | Instagram | YouTube | Spotify | TikTok | Facebook
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Rapid Fire Local Questions:
What is your favourite local restaurant?
M: Pho Japolo
S: Raisu!
H: Mon Pitou for brunch, pastries, coffee
N: Mr Falafel on 10th and Alma for their poutine. I know right? Shouting out the poutine at a falafel place? Crazy. It’s the fries man.
What is your favourite street in your city and why?
M: An alleyway by 30th and Elm for the best view of the city
S: NW Marine Drive! BEACH BABY
H: Main Street from top to bottom. There’s all the fun venues and eats around Mount Pleasant, and such a great neighbourhood feel as you head further South. I’m from outside of Seattle and my parents still live there, so for as long as I’ve lived in Vancouver, I’ve frequented Pacific Central Station for buses and trains to the states. I also spent a few years working at a non-profit on the DTES with the head office on Main; doing that work gave me a deeper understanding of the neighbourhood’s profoundly resilient community, and for that I am very grateful.
N: Probably Government Road because it’s the area I grew up in. Now Michael Buble lives there and it’s like ugh I was here first Michael. Get your own road.
What is your favourite park in your city and why?
M: I really like dude chilling park because it is always busy and vibrant and full of life in the neighbourhood
S: Hastings Mill Park. The cutest picnic spot!
N: Lighthouse Park for sure. The view of the city is amazing.
What is your favourite music venue in your city?
M: For ones we’ve played as a band I would say the Rickshaw because it’s where I see a lot of touring bands I love.
S: The Rickshaw. Seen so many of my favourite bands play there, and it’s crazy to have shared the stage with them!
H: I’m a sucker for the Commodore, for sure.
N: Commodore
What is your favourite music store in your city?
M: Exile (on Main Street) they have put me into so much cool gear and have repaired whatever I need. Also a special shout out to Rufus Guitarshop and all the awesome employees who work there
S: Rufus guitar shop!
H: Definitely huge shout to Rufus
N: It’s a little underground but I get all my vinyl records from London Drugs
