DbClifford
Encyclopedia
Daniel Clifford better known by his stage name dbClifford, is a Canadian singer of French and English descent. Born in France, he previously lived in Los Angeles
and Victoria
, but now resides in Toronto
. His debut album, Recyclable, was released in Canada in 2007. The first single, "Simple Things", was a top 40 hit on Canadian Hot AC radio and a number-one hit in Japan. The second single from the album was "Don't Wanna".
, France, to an English mother from Brighton
, and a father of French and Tunisian descent, Clifford was raised mostly in the south of France, surrounded by music because of his father being a musician. dbClifford was able to play the opera Carmen
on the piano at the age of five. At eleven he branched out to play drums, bass, guitar and sax. At eighteen he attended the prestigious CIAM School of Music in Bordeaux, France.
The death of his mother saw him move back to France in 2003. By January 2004 he had written ten songs in his father’s house in the Périgord
region. Shortly thereafter he returned to Victoria where he recorded the album. He produced and played all of the instruments on the album Recyclable, including piano, drums, bass, guitar, vocals and backing vocals. The Vancouver Sun
described the album as having "a bit of R&B, a lot of happy piano pop, and even a taste of funk". The Province
called it "optimistic, catchy stuff".
The single "Simple Things" was a number-one hit in Japan.
By the end of 2005 he signed with Nettwerk
Management and Nettwerk One (Publishing). In early 2006 he signed on with Sony BMG Music (Canada) Inc
.
He toured Europe and Japan.
Music critic John Britton of Chart
reviewed his live performance as part of the 2007 Canadian music week
at Toronto's
Rivoli club
giving it a 4.5 out of 5. Britton called dbClifford confident without being smug.
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
and Victoria
Victoria, British Columbia
Victoria is the capital city of British Columbia, Canada and is located on the southern tip of Vancouver Island off Canada's Pacific coast. The city has a population of about 78,000 within the metropolitan area of Greater Victoria, which has a population of 360,063, the 15th most populous Canadian...
, but now resides in Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
. His debut album, Recyclable, was released in Canada in 2007. The first single, "Simple Things", was a top 40 hit on Canadian Hot AC radio and a number-one hit in Japan. The second single from the album was "Don't Wanna".
Early life and education
Born in Bergerac, DordogneBergerac, Dordogne
Bergerac is a commune and a sub-prefecture of the Dordogne department in southwestern France.-Population:-Economy:The region is primarily known for wine and tobacco...
, France, to an English mother from Brighton
Brighton
Brighton is the major part of the city of Brighton and Hove in East Sussex, England on the south coast of Great Britain...
, and a father of French and Tunisian descent, Clifford was raised mostly in the south of France, surrounded by music because of his father being a musician. dbClifford was able to play the opera Carmen
Carmen
Carmen is a French opéra comique by Georges Bizet. The libretto is by Henri Meilhac and Ludovic Halévy, based on the novella of the same title by Prosper Mérimée, first published in 1845, itself possibly influenced by the narrative poem The Gypsies by Alexander Pushkin...
on the piano at the age of five. At eleven he branched out to play drums, bass, guitar and sax. At eighteen he attended the prestigious CIAM School of Music in Bordeaux, France.
Career
After graduating, dbClifford played in a British band where he met the fellow musician with whom he recorded his first demo album in 2000, Supernova. After a short stint in L.A, he moved to Victoria, British Columbia, where he settled.The death of his mother saw him move back to France in 2003. By January 2004 he had written ten songs in his father’s house in the Périgord
Périgord
The Périgord is a former province of France, which corresponds roughly to the current Dordogne département, now forming the northern part of the Aquitaine région. It is divided into four regions, the Périgord Noir , the Périgord Blanc , the Périgord Vert and the Périgord Pourpre...
region. Shortly thereafter he returned to Victoria where he recorded the album. He produced and played all of the instruments on the album Recyclable, including piano, drums, bass, guitar, vocals and backing vocals. The Vancouver Sun
The Vancouver Sun
The Vancouver Sun is a daily newspaper first published in the Canadian province of British Columbia on February 12, 1912. The paper is currently published by the Pacific Newspaper Group, a division of Postmedia Network. It is published six days a week, Monday to Saturday...
described the album as having "a bit of R&B, a lot of happy piano pop, and even a taste of funk". The Province
The Province
The Province is a daily, tabloid format newspaper published in British Columbia by Postmedia. It has been a daily newspaper since 1898.According to a recent NADbank survey, The Provinces average weekday readership was 520,100, making it British Columbia's most read newspaper...
called it "optimistic, catchy stuff".
The single "Simple Things" was a number-one hit in Japan.
By the end of 2005 he signed with Nettwerk
Nettwerk
The Nettwerk Music Group is the umbrella company for Nettwerk Management, Nettwerk Records, Nettwerk One Publishing, Nutone Records, and Artwerk. With over 150 employees, the Vancouver-based company has offices in New York, Los Angeles, London, Boston, Nashville, and Hamburg...
Management and Nettwerk One (Publishing). In early 2006 he signed on with Sony BMG Music (Canada) Inc
Sony BMG Music Entertainment
Sony BMG Music Entertainment was a recorded music company, which was a 50–50 joint venture between the Sony Corporation of America and Bertelsmann AG...
.
He toured Europe and Japan.
Music critic John Britton of Chart
Chart (magazine)
ChartAttack is a Canadian online music publication. Formerly a monthly print magazine called Chart, which was published from 1991 to 2009, the web version continues operation....
reviewed his live performance as part of the 2007 Canadian music week
Canadian Music Week
Canadian Music Week is an industry conference and music festival held over four days in various venues throughout Toronto, Ontario, Canada.-History:...
at Toronto's
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
Rivoli club
The Rivoli
The Rivoli is a bar, restaurant and performance space, established in 1982, on Queen Street West in Toronto, Ontario. The club originally earned a reputation as one of Canada's hippest music clubs, and many major Canadian comedy and musical performers have played on its stage, including The Kids in...
giving it a 4.5 out of 5. Britton called dbClifford confident without being smug.