Client: The Enigmatic Electronic Duo Who Redefined Synth-Pop from London to Germany
When Client emerged from London in 2002, they did so shrouded in deliberate mystery. The founding members chose to conceal their identities entirely, presenting themselves only as Client A and Client B, refusing even to show their faces in publicity photographs. This bold artistic statement of anonymity became as central to their identity as their music itself. It was eventually revealed that the two women behind the project were Kate Holmes and Sarah Blackwood, the latter being the recognisable lead singer of Dubstar. Holmes, a veteran of Frazier Chorus and the synth-pop duo Technique, would later found the fashion label Client London and go on to marry Alan McGee, the legendary founder of Creation Records and the man who discovered Oasis.
Musically, Client carved out a sound deeply informed by the pioneers of electronic music. Their influences, as noted by AllMusic, span an impressive range including David Bowie, Joy Division, Kraftwerk, the Human League, Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark, and X-Ray Spex. This pedigree is evident in their work, which blends the cold precision of early synthesiser experimentation with the raw energy of new wave. Their visual presentation, typically featuring airline hostess uniforms or glossy fetish fashion, reinforced a glamour-meets-industrial aesthetic that made them instantly recognisable and gave them a trademark that set them apart from their contemporaries.
A significant milestone in the band's early career was becoming the first act signed to Toast Hawaii, the record label founded by Depeche Mode member Andy Fletcher. This association placed them firmly within a prestigious lineage of electronic music and opened doors to high-profile touring opportunities alongside both Depeche Mode and Erasure. Their connection to the wider world of synth-pop royalty was further cemented through a remarkable series of collaborations. Martin L. Gore of Depeche Mode contributed vocals to their track Overdrive, while Carl Barât of The Libertines appeared in the music video for Pornography. Perhaps most notably, Pete Doherty of The Libertines and Babyshambles featured on the track Down to the Underground, and Tim Burgess of The Charlatans lent his voice to Where's the Rock and Roll Gone.
Despite their London origins, Client found their most enthusiastic audience in Germany, where their brand of electroclash and synth-pop resonated strongly. This German connection deepened when, in November 2006 following a split with Toast Hawaii, the band signed with Out of Line for German-speaking Europe, while simultaneously securing deals with SubSpace Communications in Scandinavia, Metropolis Records in North America, and Noiselab in Latin America. The band also launched their own imprint, Loser Friendly Records, to handle releases in the UK and Ireland, demonstrating a growing independence and confidence in managing their career.
The band's lineup evolved considerably over the years. In late 2005, Emily Mann, known as Client E, joined the group, bringing a background in art and DJing to the collective. Guitarist Charlotte Hatherley joined as Client C in November 2007 to support European touring. After Sarah Blackwood officially departed in December 2010, the band navigated a period of transition before introducing Nicole Thomas as Client N in September 2013, debuting her in the music video for You Can Dance. This new chapter yielded the band's fifth studio album, Authority, released on 21 March 2014 through Out of Line Music.
Across a discography that includes five studio albums — Client, City, Heartland, Command, and Authority — Client built a legacy as one of the more intriguing and distinctive acts to emerge from the early 2000s electroclash scene. Their willingness to embrace anonymity, collaborate fearlessly, and stay true to a rigorously electronic sound ensured that their influence outlasted fleeting trends. Though the band has been on an indefinite hiatus since 2014, their body of work continues to stand as a compelling testament to the enduring power of synthesisers, attitude, and a well-chosen uniform.
