Tomorrow night, the 8th AU Sessions will be taking over the Hive Bar in Erksineville, with performances from Kay Proudlove and Paul Mason. We caught up with the latter artist to learn a bit more about him ahead of the free showcase! Read on:
How old were you when you started writing your own music?
I wrote a few guitar instrumentals just after I’d finished at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music (well I deferred and haven’t been back yet!!). They were quite simple tunes with a strong focus on melody and improvising over the form, I would have been about 21 years old.
What was the first instrument you learnt?
The recorder… embarrassingly….
Tell us a little bit about your style – how did you end up falling into this particular style?
As an electric guitarist I lean more toward the blues rock style, the instrument really shines for me in that context. I have a pretty informed approach to the guitar. I was lucky to grow up around some very talented people and in my early years I had focussed heavily on understanding jazz and improvisation.
Since working as a professional musician I’ve evolved a more personal approach to playing the guitar that is quite expressive and distinctive. An extension of that more recently has been through songwriting and finding my voice as a singer, which is still a very new thing for me. This has come from a desire be able to step out of the sideman role and have a more meaningful and engaging musical journey.
Who are your influences?
It’s mainly guitarists and songwriters for me. James Taylor, Joni Mitchell, Jeff Beck, Bruce Hornsby, Robben Ford, John Mayer, Blake Mills.
What is your latest song/album to promote? Tell us all about it:
I’m in the writing phase for an EP, only some of which has been recorded. It’s going to be a few originals that were written by myself and Timothy Bowen. There will be one guitar piece with a string quintet which is my take on a piece of Celtic music that I really like.
What is your favourite record right now and why?
Bon Iver , Bon Iver . This album was apparently heavily influenced by Bruce Hornsby of whom I’m a big fan. It just sounds really rich. I love the harmony and vocal hooks, the way the guitars dance around the piano melodies, particularly on the single ‘Beth/Rest’. I’m also really into Meshell Ndegeocello at the moment and I love emotion and commotion, Jeff Becks latest album.
What is your favourite Australian artist right now and why?
Direwolf, Matt dewar is his real name. He sings very sincerely about interesting things and plays the guitar like a real boss. I love the sincerity in Sahara Becks voice also. James Muller has always been my Australian guitar god.
What can we expect from your live show?
Good songs, good accompaniment, relatable lyrical content. Interesting and instantly identifiable guitar playing…downright sex appeal, awkward humour.
What are your plans for the year ahead?
The main thing for me will be to keep chipping away at becoming a legitimate artist. More of my own shows, more writing and sharing of what I do. I’m going to go and see my twin in the USA to write and record some demo’s with him and my very close friend Abraham Rounds. He’s been living in LA and playing drums for some ridiculous names. More guitar duties for The Monday Jam and Jessica Mauboy. My original rock and roll band The Ruckus is doing really well at the moment, it’s a collective project I’ve been really busy with lately so exciting things happening there too.
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Don’t miss Paul Mason performing with Kay Proudlove tomorrow night at The Hive Bar in Erskineville. He hits the stage at 7.15pm. For more details about the event, head to the AU sessions page: https://www.theaureview.com/sessions
