Interview: Paul James Berry (UK)
Posted June 28, 2006
As I mentioned, I love new music (especially live music), painting and writing. Call me a budding journalist or an avid chit chatter. Hope you like.....
- Anna :)
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Interview: PAUL JAMES BERRY UK
1. Have you experienced any culture shock moving back to the UK?
Yeah, the price of food is ridiculous here. I also love how the girls just let it all hang out. Even when they arent particularly beautiful the English girl has no shame, and I respect that. The myth of the English Rose is totally misunderstood tut tut!
2. Were most of your songs written in France?
The songs for Nations where born in several locations on tour, in the studio and home. The Kite, Fever Van Rose where written, or at least started years before when I was still in England. However, its true to say that the finishing touches were finalized in Paris.
3. The song Supermodel, are you also defending existing superficial images of men in the fashion industry?
Defending? I dont think I was defending anyone. I was simply pointing out the stupidity and recklessness of the fashion industry. Gender was not on my mind. Man woman or child flaunting a mink coat in a perfect body in the name of money or brand is distasteful.
4. The song Mexican Girl & the English Rose speaks about learning to do accomplish the impossible, would you say that this is the over all message behind your music?
Wow, I guess the truth is I want to believe this.
5. The song Ballad of Serge Gainsborough as youve explained on your site is about cultural icons in France. Who would you say is the equivalent in Britain?
Not sure really. Not to the same level anyway. Weve had piss-head film stars like Oliver Reed, Peter OToole characters of this calibre, but Sergyyy boy was a one off. Nobody contemporary springs to mind.
Thats what was so interesting about Serge, he was accepted by the people and got away with his deeds. The French still do have a soft spot with the crazy artist syndrome, though nobody matches the bill these days with the same media profile, either in the UK or in France. Everybody seems far two conservative and calculated businessmen with guitars.
6. Has the environment shaped your writing when we think of the difference between Ginnel and Nations?
Of course, to a certain extent. However, Id say it has more to do with whats happening in my life at the time and in my head. Which perhaps this is the same thing.
One of the reasons my songs take a long time to manifest is simply because I dont have the luxury to take it to a conclusion immediately. Im not in a stable financial situation that would permit me to work uniquely on my Art. Therefore, I waste a lot of time scraping a living doing other activities to feed the family. I wont bull shit you say that my songs need time to develop. I probably could get a pretty good album up and running from scratch in 3 weeks, if that was my only focus.
But back to the question, yes Im probably very changeable with the immediate. If a neighbour started playing load Zulu war beats, then PJB might paint his face
7. What kind of direction can we expect from the 4th album?
As always, I need to get the skeleton framework of the songs finished then lets see. Im still in the process of writing and so I dont know if there will be a radical change to the finished thing! To me, Ginnel & Nations are very similar; basic songs what I wrote on an acoustic guitar which can be dressed up in various outfits. Did you ever see the old 70s English kids programme, Mr Ben?
I think to change something because everybody expects it is wrong. If it happens organically then cool
8. Some musicians claim not to listen to works from others in order to keep their uniqueness fresh, does this also apply to you?
Not intentionally, but I understand that to bathe too deep into a somebody elses style would rub-off, for good and bad. Its also true that I do listen to a lot of music that is very neutral from what I do; ethnic, classical, jazz, etc. So, when I hear music close to my genre my ears can be two critical and forget sometimes just to enjoy
9. What season most inspires your writing?
Never really gave it a thought. However, spring with the start of life sounds inspiring
10. What is the best part of making an album besides writing, ie: recording, mixing etc...?
Actually, the writing rarely comes easy, but I do love it when Im on to something and really start to wrestle the beast down. Exhilarating & frustrating at the same time Recording & mixing is also a big high. Im a reasonable cook & thats what mixing is all about.
I do like the atmosphere in studios, although I can be over sensitive to people around me that I dont know. Its not a rockstar ego thing, its just I dont like to be on show or under scrutiny. Its good when you can let your guard down and just fuck about. Experimenting is totally essential, but it is a luxury in todays over charged studios. Long live the 4-track!
11. Music is obviously your passion, do you have any other favourite art forms ie music, film etc...?
Yeah, Im quite a big film lover and tend to break down crying at the most stupid of films. Id even like to make something. Though Im not really sure where to start! Does anybody want to lend me a camera? ACTION!!
12. Touring, any particular highlights: some of your songs speak of various cities?
Do they? I cant think of any particular songs about individual cities. But as I said, Ive toured quite a bit in European and therefore crossed swords with many a place. Its seems to be always the case that the highlights where in fact the low lights.
Take my first showcase gig last year in Toronto at the NYNE festival. Solo show in a little club. Rock/metal band pulls-up in a big van outside the venue - while I was on stage - and blasts out their set. I laughed, but id did totally fuck-up my set.
Welcome to North America, boy!!
** June 14, 2006 **
