LOOKING more like something out of a pulp detective novel than orchestral popsters, Brooklyn's Clare & the Reasons like nothing better than to dress up for their photoshoots.
Attired as they often are in long trench coats and spy hats, you'd be forgiven for thinking they were, in fact, private investigators – and front lady Clare Muldaur Manchon says it's not uncommon for people to make that mistake.
"I would say half
the people get the joke and half the people think we're actually private detectives," confirms the stunning brunette, who brings her band to Cabaret Voltaire on Monday as part of this year's Edge Festival.
The spy clobber was inspired by Muldaur Manchon's favourite film, the 60s comedy Stolen Kisses, in which the clumsy, central character of the piece lands himself a detective job.
"It's all very tongue-in-cheek, of course," she explains. "It's paying homage to an era that I love but it's not taking it all too seriously."
Their eccentric image perfectly fits the New York band's 2007 debut album, The Movie.
With its beautiful string arrangements and jazz-noir infused vocals – written, composed and arranged by Muldaur Manchon and her husband Olivier Manchon – the record, as its title suggests, is full of climactic, cinematic music. It sounds fresh, and yet familiar.
"Everything's derivative of something, and there's some music where you feel it's an imitation," explains Muldaur Manchon. "So we, of course, try to stay away from that. I think that I've just been very moved and influenced by pre-1950s America, so I hope that comes across.
"We're like detectives. Like film noir detectives who are clumsy and not good at their jobs. That's what we're going for," she adds.
With most of the seven-piece coming from a jazz background, they are sensational live.
"What you hear on the record is pretty much what you hear live, but it's a little fatter on the record," says Muldaur Manchon.
"We were doing 75 per cent of the material in the months leading up to recording, live, so we honed the sound and arrangements before recording.
"That was an important thing for me – that we are able to do live what you hear on the record. I think I will always work that way."
On tracks like Cook For You, Alphabet City and their melan-choly first single Rodi, a real film noir beauty shines through.
"Most of the ideas behind the songs are sort of 'What world can I write about?' 'What thing can I enter into?'" says Muldaur Manchon, who performed in musicals in high school and says her on-stage persona is very much invented.
"I'm very into not necessarily being myself when I'm onstage because I enjoy that more," she explains.
"I think visuals are important when performing – and they really enhance the whole experience with the audience."
Clare & The Reasons, Cabaret Voltaire, Blair Street, Monday, 7pm, £7.50, 0131-220 6176 The full article contains 496 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
