Here’s a bold statement: Prince’s influence isn’t just in the music you’d expect—it’s creeping into the unlikeliest of places, like the DIY recording studios of South London’s indie scene. And this is the part most people miss: Dry Cleaning, a band known for their quirky, industrial-tinged sound, has quietly channeled the funk maestro’s genius in their latest album, Secret Love. But here’s where it gets controversial—can a 25-minute jam session from Prince’s 1985 track ‘America’ really inspire a six-minute indie banger like ‘Hit My Head All Day’? The answer is a resounding yes, and it’s fascinating.
Prince, often hailed as a genre-bending pioneer, has left an indelible mark on music with his fusion of funk, R&B, pop, and rock. His ability to transcend boundaries has made him a touchstone for artists across generations. Yet, it’s surprising to hear his influence in the raw, experimental world of British indie. Dry Cleaning’s guitarist, Tom Dowse, admits that ‘Hit My Head All Day’ carries an industrial edge with a funk undertone, reminiscent of Prince’s sprawling ‘America.’ Dowse recalls, ‘That 12-inch track was my entry into Prince—it’s this endless, 25-minute jam that just pulls you in.’
But here’s the twist: Recording ‘America’ was a nightmare for Prince’s engineer, Susan Rogers. She describes the process as chaotic, with the band jamming for 15 to 30 minutes at a time, pushing the limits of their 16-minute tape reels. ‘The song would fall from rehearsal,’ she recalls, highlighting the stress of capturing such raw creativity. Yet, it’s this very chaos that adds to the track’s magic—and it’s exactly what Dry Cleaning seems to admire.
Dry Cleaning’s approach to music is equally experimental. Their self-proclaimed obscurity allows them to explore endless instrumental possibilities, particularly with Florence Shaw’s spoken-word vocals layered over complex arrangements. While ‘Hit My Head All Day’ clocks in at six minutes—a far cry from Prince’s 25-minute epic—it retains the structural lucidity and wild creativity Prince championed. Dowse’s guitars soar over Lewis Maynard’s basslines, creating a track that stands out on Secret Love.
Here’s the controversial question: Is Dry Cleaning’s homage to Prince a genuine innovation, or just a clever nod to a legend? Some might argue that their industrial-funk fusion is too distant from Prince’s original vision. But others will see it as a testament to how experimentation bridges musical worlds—from Prince’s Minneapolis studio to South London’s indie scene. What’s undeniable is that both artists prove music knows no boundaries.
So, what do you think? Is Dry Cleaning’s take on Prince’s legacy a bold step forward, or a stretch too far? Let’s debate it in the comments—because when it comes to music, there’s no wrong answer, just endless conversation.
