Innovation Unplugged: Rediscovering the Essence of Original Music with a Belgian trailblazer
a little about... Frederick goossens:
Producing under the artist name Clerkenwell (named after his favorite neighborhood in London), is a Belgian musician, based in Hong Kong. He specializes in original compositions. In other words, he is extremely reluctant to cover other artists, and has left previous bands because of this reason, despite his respect for his (extremely different types) of musical idols such as Jimi Hendrix, Tinie Tempah, Euromi Euhara, and many more. On top of that, Frederik avoids using loops and samples at all times.
Over the years, his musical keeps evolving. Started with two full albums of orchestral instrumentals, to hip-hop, electro, and his longest project so far that incorporates funk, blues, rock, and soul.
Frederik is privately trained for two decades by one of the country’s best studio musicians. Being surrounded by highly-trained musicians, all of whom received their conservatory training at some of the best institutions overseas, he admits that he is not even close to being a professional musician, lacking particular practical skills and formal education. However, his anomalous creativity and endless drive to perfect his work are what set him apart and convinced critics of his capabilities.
Where did your choice to choose not to ever do covers, or use samples or loops come from? Have you always honored complete originality like this?
I never liked playing covers, and prefer to leave it to certain musicians. Bob Dylan’s All Along The Watchtower brought by Jimi Hendrix for example is a masterpiece, My choice to not use samples or loops is more a principle, as I want to challenge myself as much as possible and produce new records. Even if they would sound better using samples or loops, I want to create every track from the ground up.
What was the first genre you began making music in?
That was quite a while ago. I would say that I always liked incorporating symphonic instruments while I tend to play funk on guitar. I still do actually, however, I picked up many other styles.
Can you tell us more about your “symphonic” work?
It’s not symphonic in a true sense. Although I use classical patterns, string sections, horns, and woodwinds. However, I started out as a drummer, which you can clearly hear, In general, I would say it’s symphonic-themed music with a contemporary touch.
So you started as a drummer. Between all these instruments you’ve learned, do you consider yourself the most literate in drumming?
I worked with band members, they didn’t like my drumming. Truth is, I don’t cover songs, and when I drum I mix conventional, funk, and jazz. Something band members have a hard time to keep up and kick my out. They want me to just drum simple rhythms. Good riddance.
What DAW do you use?
Logic Pro. I’ve worked with several DAWs, and there’s music software for everyone, but Logic Pro is by far my favorite and has been for over ten years.
Logic Pro is my favorite as well. I’ve been using it for years and
still haven’t felt like I’ve “unlocked” all its power…
Same. It’s a lot more powerful than most people think. I followed lessons on Logic, but the possibilities are limitless, and I feel it’s still underrated. Add NI to it or any other third party VSTs, and you’re working with one of the most powerful tools.
Yeah. I don’t know much about other DAWS but it seems logic has so many 3rd party plugins to explore.
Do you wait for inspiration before making a new song, or let it come along in the process after starting?
Actually both. Usually, I start improvising and keep playing until something comes out of it. However, certain musicians heavily inspire me, and just make me pick up my guitar or start playing on my keyboard, In most cases though, I let it come when playing.
What’s the biggest statement you aim to make with your music? Or is it simply “art”?
Art is a big word, and I prefer not to use it since it is very personal. With my hip-hop work, I want the lyrics to bring an original story, make it relatable, or voice an opinion. In general. I want to keep improving, as I’m still not satisfied and my objective is to make people enjoy my work and discover different genres.
So you prefer not to label it as art, and focus on improving it… are you seeking perfection, or something else?
perfection aside, I consider my music a process I’m going through and hope to reach some level of art at one point in the future. Currently I’m simply not at that stage yet.
You Mentioned Bob Dylan and Jimi Hendrix. Are these some guitarists who left a large impact on you? If not, who are some that have?
I learned to play guitar through a studio musician. His technique was perfect, but my style is actually based on Jimi Hendrix:
– Thumb on the E bass string, but also often blocking it to get that funk sound and leave room to the bass player. I also want to note that I always played with bass guitarists during my early days.
– My tendency to play notes while muting all the other strings rather than playing note by note. Though I do both depending on the song.
– He used interesting patterns, chords, and had a technique that I really appreciate.
Bob Dylan is almost impossible to ignore. His music was rebellious, and you can hear him over the years, whereas the lyrics are incredible. It’s someone I look up to. However his music is pure inspiration to me. Listening to him makes me want to play music.
Another person I would like to mention is Jeff Golub, RIP. He combined funk with blues and jazz, and felt like he could keep going. I often listen to him to enjoy his work and learn from him at the same time.
Lastly, Absynthe Minded has inspired me a lot. If you haven’t heard of this band, I recommend starting with “envoi”. They’re highly trained musicians and I can only dream of producing half the quality.
I grew up listening to some Hendrix as well. There’s a few Hendrix tracks I can listen to over and over, like Voodoo Chile. I can relate to almost everything you say about Bob Dylan. When I listen to a lot of his tracks its like he’s putting his most raw stories into a song right in front of you with no hesitation. To me it inspires me in the sense that I walk away from it caring less about what people might think of my own music, in the best way.
Nile Rodgers, from Diane Ross, masters funk like almost nobody. I consider Hiromi Uehara the best jazz musician, and learn from her, which is crazy difficult. But artists like Robben Ford, Led Zeppelin, John Mayer, Dave Matthews Band, and especially the drummer Carter Beauford, Toots Thielemans, Hollerado, David Vandevelde, Soulwax, The Heavy, Axel Red, and many many many more.
So you started as a drummer, then learned guitar after that…?
I started as a bass player, then drums, guitar, piano. What most people don’t realize is that mastering an instrument is one aspect of creating music, if that’s your objective. I’m not the best guitarist or pianist or … . I search for new melodies, keep practicing, and aim to put them together in harmony. This includes real and MIDI instruments.
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