25 Sep 2006 // An interview by Shade
Thirteen schools by the age of 12, growing up in the shadows of North-East England’s sprawling petrochemical factories then transplanted worlds away to the idle wiles of Aotearoa’s northern reaches; music was the only constant in the life of Paul McLaney, singer, guitar-player. Yet his music has only furthered his travels, and his stylistic leanings have been anything but constant. From folky pop and thunderous rock’n’roll spanning the exploits of his band Gramsci to complete immersion in electronica of dance music collaborations and new excursion The Blush Response, McLaney’s life has been one of movement.

1) Who are your favourite NZ bands and artists?

I'm a big fan of Jakob - it takes a great deal of presence to create a mood as powerful and emotional as theirs. They are a constant inspiration actually. As a teenager I was a huge fan of Straitjacket Fits and that has bled into a healthy respect for the Dimmer recordings. I think Sam Scott and James Milne are 2 of the best writers around at the moment and Sean James Donnelly continues to make me want to write better songs.

2) What is your favourite NZ venue?

The Opera House in Wellington.

3) What is the best live gig you have ever been to?

One I wasn't expecting - Portishead live at the North Shore Events Centre. I had seen Radiohead the week before and expected great things from them. They were fantastic. I don't know what I thought Portishead would be like live but they were totally mindblowing.

4) Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

I've recently come to understand that acoustic music is where my primary passion resides; apart from my girlfriend that is... It's nice to experiment and involve yourself in music outside of your natural comfort zone - I know it's certainly stretched my abilities as a musician. But at some stage all of those excursions lead you home and you assimilate that knowledge and understanding into your own identity and that's the thing I'm striving for now. In 5 yeras time I'd like to be a little further down that track.

5) How do you keep in contact with your fans?

Gigs. I have always believed that the primary function of a musician is to play live, to help create that communion that music allows.

6) What rumour would you like to start about yourself?

That my real name is Gramsci and that I have a band called Paul McLaney.

7) What advice would you like to give to other aspiring musicians?

There are plenty of awful jobs in the world without making music one. Music is as important to me as breathing and for that reason I try to give it all of the respect it deserves by staying true to myself. It's not a passport to anything other than itself, but it is an invitation to share.

Thirteen schools by the age of 12, growing up in the shadows of North-East England’s sprawling petrochemical factories then transplanted worlds away to the idle wiles of Aotearoa’s northern reaches; music was the only constant in the life of Paul McLaney, singer, guitar-player. Yet his music has only furthered his travels, and his stylistic leanings have been anything but constant. From folky pop and thunderous rock’n’roll spanning the exploits of his band Gramsci to complete immersion in electronica of dance music collaborations and new excursion The Blush Response, McLaney’s life has been one of movement.

Today, his travels bring him to a bustling Wellington café, a mere whistle-stop. It’s barely enough time to dispense with the pleasantries before McLaney fixes his gaze and embarks on the story of his journey; the brush-strokes of his life that have led him to now, on the eve of his solo album 'Edin'.
“I’ve never revealed myself for the camera before,” he says, matter-of-factly, of the night before, when he was awake until daybreak shooting the video for his first single 'Don’t Want to Know'. “I’ve either been obscured or part of the background or not the subject. This is new to me.

Visit the muzic.net.nz Profile for Paul McLaney

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