Clip looks interesting, although my favourite 'component' alternative is Integrant[1] -- your config can be just EDN and your start/stop functions are added as multimethods. Its beautifully little ceremony. Incidentally, the Duct[2] framework which builds on top of Integrant is my favourite way to get complex applications running. Currently using it for a number of different services and its a very pleasant experience. (I'm sure clip is too, Juxt do good work)
[1] https://github.com/weavejester/integrant
[1] https://github.com/duct-framework