On Friday 9th October, singer-songwriter Paul Davy releases his debut album Better Late as part of Light Night Leeds 2015
Presenting ‘Better Late’: The debut record from Leeds-based singer songwriter Paul Davy.
30 years in development and 5 years in the making, Better Late is Paul’s first studio album. Recorded at Airtight Studios in Manchester and produced by rock musician Nigel Stonier, Better Late is a collection of 12 songs detailing Paul’s observations on birth, life and death. From homelessness to Virgin trains, the birth of his first grand-daughter to the death of a close family member – Paul’s lyrical, musical exploration of the world around him offers listeners a distinct bluesy/folk style with storytelling well and truly at its heart.
Drawing influences from a wide range of artists including the likes of Gerry Rafferty, Rab Noakes and Thea Gilmore, in addition to live artists such as Capercaille, Old Crow Medicine Show and Eddie Reader, father-of-two Paul has been writing music since his teens. He set his guitar to one side when career and family took over in his late-20s, but when one of his earliest home recordings was unearthed in 2010 by his sons he began to write again – beginning with a protest song in response to David Cameron’s ‘Big Society’ idea. In the last 3 years, Paul has written, recorded and produced the 12 original songs on the album with a little help from his friends and family – many of whom perform on the album as backing vocalists or session musicians.
Album credits on Better Late include guest vocals from singer/songwriter Thea Gilmore and instrumental contributions from, amongst others, Nigel Stonier, Robbie McIntosh (Paul McCartney band, The Pretenders), Che Beresford (Black Grape, Capercaillie) Chris Hillman (Billy Bragg band), Liz Hanks (Jarvis Cocker, Pulp, Richard Hawley)and Al Lowles (I Am Kloot).
On Friday 9th October, Paul will be performing initial album track ‘Karen’ as part of music event Sounds on the Streets: a busking competition organised by Leeds-based homeless charity Simon on the Streets as part of Light Night Leeds. After a chance encounter with the charity 2 years ago, Paul was inspired to write the track to tell the story of a shared moment between a homeless woman and a charity worker learning to plait each other’s hair. At the event, by way of introduction, Paul is thrilled to reveal that the charity worker who is the subject of the song will be introducing the track.
In a show of support for this wholly worthwhile charity, all proceeds from ‘Karen’ will go to Simon on the Streets, along with £1 from every album sale. The song will also be available via the charity website: simononthestreets.co.uk
Better Late is available from Friday 9th October 2015 at: www.pauldavy.bandcamp.com/releases
Sounds on the Streets is running from 6 – 10pm on Friday 9th October at Trinity Kitchen in the Trinity Centre, Leeds, LS1 5ER For more information about Light Night Leeds visit: http://whatson.leeds.gov.uk/lightnight/Pages/default.aspx