The Amateur is the brainchild of writer and multi-instrumentalist Dominic Clark. Dominic was one of three members of The BDI’s (originally The Panda Gang) enjoying a 10 year career releasing several albums and a handful singles following relocation to London from their hometown of Southport, Lancashire. The final BDI’s single released in the UK in 2010 was single of the week in Metro newspaper. At the end of 2010 the group disbanded and with a few basic tracks already recorded but no band to finish them, Dominic set about adding instruments and recording more new songs from scratch until an album was complete. The album is titled ‘For the Love Alone’ and was released in August 2013. Former BDI members Brent Thorley (vocals, sometime co-writer) and Ian Pakes (drums, vocals) still feature heavily. Also featured are Argentine tango and bossa nova vocalist Gabi Mocca, afro-beat saxophonist Tunday Akintan, and producer and film score composer Mariano Nunez-West. Dominic plays the majority of the instruments and writes, arranges and produces the music. The sound is a progression of the BDI’s pop/soul/r’n’b which had been championed by the likes of Jimmy Miller (Rolling Stones producer), David Godin (legendary “Blues & Soul” journalist) and played by Craig Charles (BBC Radio 6) and Robert Elms (LBC). The project name is borrowed from opening track and forthcoming single ‘Amateur’ and represents an ideal of people doing what they do ‘For the Love Alone’, with creative expression free from commercial constraints and with the dedication of the non professional. The name is intended to not sound like a traditional band or strictly a solo artist (Dominic does not sing lead vocals). All money from sales goes to paying for these and future recordings. New recordings by The Amateur are already underway with plans for live shows in the not too distant future.