Premiere: Benjamin Clementine Streams ‘Cornerstone’ EP In Full

A couple of months back, Benjamin Clementine made his television debut on Jools Holland. Performing ‘Cornerstone’ - the lead single on his new EP - the London via Paris songwriter made a name for himself in an instant. Channelling the heartbroken style of Antony and the Johnsons, with a stripped-back piano performance to boot, his arrival came at the very beginning of winter, and it’s pretty much lasted the miserable season.

DIY’s delighted to be premiering the stream of ‘Cornerstone’, a short-lived but essential introduction to the newcomer’s work. Alongside the already unveiled ‘Cornerstone’ and ‘I Won’t Complain’, there’s the similarly affecting, previously unheard track ‘London’.

Listen to the EP in full and read the DIY interview below. The ‘Cornerstone’ EP is released on 13th January.



Would you be able to explain the meaning behind ‘Cornerstone’?
Giving an explanation to my songs would kill a part of it. I will say, that with that I’ve been through, I’ve come to the realisation through the depths of my memory, knowledge and experience, that loneliness is my heart’s only cure.

What’s the process for writing a song - does it all tend to begin at a piano?
I’m not a singer songwriter. I would like to be considered a poet & an artist, someday. But not just yet; action speaks volumes. I play quite a broad amount of instruments and I’m looking forward to adding the Scottish pipe. I get inspired mostly by taking very long walks, and for the new year I went to Tuscany and walked through heaps of forests accompanied by the moon and black pigs.

How has your songwriting progressed over time - was there anything you learnt when writing this EP?
I wrote them 4 years ago, and I am really impatient to release my songs because it’s taking too long. I’m not interested in songs that have no meaning and I have learnt the French way of writing and expressing oneself. I find it much more sincere than to just make a catchy melody for the radio - that’s not my spirit. When I went to Paris I had only Animal Farm in my pocket and a handful of clothes. Now I have added a few more books in my pocket. And that’s all I need really; this and my emotions and past experiences. Writing is easier when felt - to imagine is a spark of what has been felt in the past.

The Jools performance still stands out as one of the most exciting from last year - how did you find the whole experience?
I must say I didn’t see it coming at all, but somehow I almost perform better when there is a challenge or a need to show who I am. I’d never played on T.V before and I’d also never seen myself performing live, so I was astonished to see the video. I watched it once and stopped it at the point where it looked like I had tears in my eyes - it was too much for me.