Once signed to XL Recordings, have worked with the likes of Damon Albarn, Salam Remi, Dan Carey. Toured with Blur, La Roux, Friendly Fires. Heavy Radio 1 playlisting and 6 Music. I have been singing since a young age and feel confident I can sing any genre.
Paul is a multi instrumentalist songwriter and producer. Paul once fronted the band Magistrates that were signed to XL Recordings. As well as playing instruments, it is Paul’s vocals that are something that he sees as his main instrument. When writing Paul really focuses on the artist vocal and tries to get the best out of the melody. Paul has had the privilege to work with some of the best writers and producers such as , Salam Remi, Damon Albarn, Justin Parker, Switch, Dan Carey. Paul’s favourite artists are those that focus on the craft of songwriting and melody. Paul works in his studio at his house in Essex, Currently working with Sam Ryder, Victor Ray, Gabe Coulter, Fyfe Dangerfield, Christy, Matthew Hall, Chris de Sarandy, Jim Eliot.
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Credits
AllMusic verified credits for MagistratesInterview with Paul Usher
Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?
A: How do you write a song is the most common question. The answer is very boring and not that helpful, i just do, i love finding melodies and making things sound better than they did previously. I love creating new things.
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: What do you want from the track? How can i improve things?
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: Piano Hard drive (with all mt vst on) Computer Microphone Guitar (for times to learn)
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: I started in bands when i was 14 years old!!! At the age of 18/19 i was signed by Alan Mcgee to his label called Poptones. The band was called Echelon. We released a few singles on that label. After that i was in a band called Magistrates who signed to XL Recordings. Again once that band finished i started my own project called MakeLove where i released a few tracks but really wanted to focus on being a writer with other people rather than focus on another project. So thats where i am at now. In between all of this i have done a lot of touring and recording with some amazing people so i have a wealth of experience with working with different people.
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: I love pop music and i love classic songwriting. To be honest i just love good melody.
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: Writing with other people allows me to work on so many different types of music.
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: Focus and making the most of every moment.
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: Always thinking how melody can be improved on.
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: Songwriting- it's what i've always done. Being in the band and touring helps with songwriting and i love that i still can create music. I love that beginning of the day when you don't have anything moment and by the time you go to bed at night something exists in the world that didn't before your corn flakes
Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?
A: Magistrates- I was the singer and writer in the band. We signed to XL recordings and toured everywhere. Played with so many amazing artists and met so many great influential people. Making a record with Damon Albarn was a special thing!
Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: I’m a songwriter with other people. Some artist I’m writing with atm include, Blakey, Sophie Morgan, Sam Johnson, Alexina. Al amazing artist everyone will know of in 2019
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: Good question. If they money was there and the space then sure analog. Warmth in sound. However digital world is amazing!!
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: Professionalism and
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: Working with people. I love the fact that when you wake in the morning and a song doesn’t exist. When you you go to bed that evening something is created that didn’t exist in the world. It’s such a buzz
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: Don’t always look for everything to be perfect. Mistakes are sometimes what songs need.
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: Paul McCartney. I’d just like to watch him write and see how he makes choices.
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: Songwriting and singing. It’s all I’ve ever done and I’ve worked hard at being the best I can at it.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: I have everything I need to write music. It is a digital setup but I can quickly record and send something over as soon as it’s needed
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: I love prince. I loved his work ethic, his ability to write amazing melodies. Paul McCartney and Burt Bacharach as well, I love classic songwriting.
I am a quick worker and because I have my own studio it is easy for me to turn things around quickly. Depending on the project depends on times however I will always aim within a week max to get done
- I loved working at guy chambers studio last year who has an old abbey road desk. As a big Beatles nut I was buzzing to record on it.
