For any fan of XTC, you might have already heard here or there that Andy Partridge is part of a newly-emerged trio called The 3 Clubmen. Together with American artist Jen Olive and Swindon-based producer Stu Rowe – the threesome have released a brilliant debut EP. ‘The 3 Clubmen’ EP was released via Rowe’s own Lighterthief label with distribution via Britain’s Burning Shed. It has already seen chart success in the UK based on actual sales, which should come as no surprise considering how quickly Partridge’s recent release with Robyn Hitchcock sold out.
The trio has also released a video for the lead track ‘Aviatrix’, which is perfectly complementary to the music in terms of both sounds and images. All four tracks here are sublime and memorable – catchy in that quirky XTC / Dukes of Stratosphear way with a twist. Jen Olive’s involvement ensures that women have a voice even in the land of XTC fandom and what a worthy trip this has ended up being for artist and listener alike.
This EP is an avant-pop delight offering a strange, seductive blend of experimental pop, jazz and sci-fi cinema excellence. In 2010, the threesome were finally able to work together in person. With interest reignited during the pandemic after being put on hold and largely forgotten, the trio decided to finish what they’d started all those years ago, resulting in their debut 4-track effort.
The culmination of a decade of antics from these longtime collaborators – all of whom are part of the Lighterthief label family tree – with the writing and recording of this material starting years ago. While each artist has worked with the others in some form since 2008, This is the first time that Stu, Andy and Jen have combined forces as a trio, an inevitable partnership once described as “a three-headed Frankenstein’s monster dancing at a neurodivergent singles club”.
Best known as co-founder of XTC, Partridge is known as the “godfather of Britpop”. His most recent solo releases include ‘My Failed Songwriting Career, Volumes 1 & 2’, various XTC re-releases, the ‘Planet England’ EP with Robyn Hitchcock, the‘Powers’ collection of sound pieces, and the ‘Gonwards’ album with Peter Blegvad. He has also recently written songs for The Monkees, Miles Kane and others.
Albuquerque-based LA native musician-songwriter Jen Olive has a series of albums to her name, in addition to writing and recording for A&M Records and contributing music to various American Film Institute projects. Her latest solo release was 2022’s Stu Rowe-produced single‘Two Futures’.
A key player on Swindon’s music scene, Stu Rowe has supported many artists as a guitarist, bassist and producer, including Paul Weller, Shriekback (Barry Andrews), Colin Moulding, Future Sound of London (The Amorphous Androgynous), and TC&I.
The Clubmen saga begins in 2006, when Andy and Stu first worked on ‘Monstrance’. Riding on a mutual fascination with experimental music production, a bi-weekly ritual soon emerged, starting at Stu’s Lighterthief Bunker and ending at the local pub, which resulted in sonic explorations and improvised recordings. A series of musical sketches gradually formed, setting the stage for Jen’s later involvement. After returning to the US, Jen released her ‘I Say Love’ EP (involving collaborations with Andy and Stu individually) and then ‘The Breaks’ album, a three-year endeavor produced by Stu and released in 2014.
‘The 3 Clubmen’ EP is available on CD via Burning Shed and digitally from fine music platforms, including Apple Music, Spotify and Amazon Music.
CREDITS
All songs written and performed by The 3 Clubmen
Music by Andy Partridge, Jen Olive and Stu Rowe
Lyrics by Andy Partridge and Jen Olive
Film and Music production by The Encyclopedia Salesmen
Recorded and produced between 2010 and 2023 in The Lighterthief Bunker, Swindon, England
Additional recordings in Albuquerque, New Mexico
Andy Partridge – vocals, guitars, programming and production
Jen Olive – vocals and guitar
Stu Rowe – bass, guitars, keys, programming and production
Frank Abrams – flute
Mikey Rowe – keys
Curtis Tweed – slide guitar
Andreas Rebhuhn – drums
‘Bangy’ – percussion
Produced by Stu Rowe
Mixed by The Encyclopedia Salesmen
Mastered by Jason Mitchell at Loud Mastering
Artwork by Carl Glover at Aleph Studio
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