New Interview with Brightonian Records

“Music they say is a tonic. Well if that’s the case then grab a gin and let’s leave Paul Diello to bring the music. Having already established himself as one of the more prolific extroverted singer/songwriters of the Brighton music circuit, Paul is now embarking on an 11 date tour to spread his wistful melodies, haunting words and homemade cupcakes across the UK. Paul takes a welcome break from his hectic tour schedule to enjoy a cup of something hot and sweet in the infamous Red Deck Chair, to help set the Brightoneian Record straight (too many buns.. sorry puns for one afternoon).

Brightoneian Records – How would you describe your sound to someone who has never heard you before?

Paul Diello –“It depends which night you catch me on. If it’s a solo show I guess you could call it emotionally charged piano balladry or if I’m with the band it’s more of a stomping sound of acoustic melodica! My debut album is a folk pop extravaganza of strings and sadness and my second album that I’m currently workingon is pure pop electronica with a dash of melancholy.”

Brightoneian Records – Why did you call the album “The Last Green Bottle”?

Paul Diello – “When I started writing the record I was part of a four piece band, then when I started recording it we were a two piece, by the time it was in production, I was a solo artist so it’s kind of a reference to being the last man standing! Plus it’s a lyric from ‘You Lose’ (a track from the album)”

Brightoneian Records – Tell us about your favourite song on the album.

Paul Diello – “I go back and fourth a lot. Like most debut albums, the songs have been written a long time ago at various different points of my life leading up tothe recording. I’ve always had a real soft spot for You Lose, it has really evolvedover the years and when we play it live now it’s almost unrecognisable to when itwas first written. I’ve recently recorded different versions of it for the singleand had it remixed which has made me look at it from a different angle and kind offall in love with it all over again! ”

Brightoneian Records – What artists inspire you and why?

Paul Diello – “There are so many. Tori Amos was a massive inspiration for me when I was a teenager, I’d always had a thing for the piano but hearing the way she played for the first time was a defining moment for me. I’ve always been really inspired by PJ Harvey, the way she creates characters and uses her voice in so many different ways and is constantly evolving. Most of my main influences are female musicians, I don’t think I had a male singer in my record collection until I was on my 20’s, I still don’t have that many! I’m just more drawn to what the woman have to say!”

Brightoneian Records – What inspires your songwriting?

Paul Diello –“Like a lot of artists, the creative juices flow more freely in times of trial. The break down of a relationship always helps put pen to paper, and not necessarily romantic relationships. I write about my friends, their struggles and woes. I write about fictional characters, I write about dreams or nightmares that I’ve had, just whatever comes into my head really.”

Brightoneian Records – How are you enjoying life on tour?

Paul Diello – “If I could do it everyday of my life I would, I absolutely love life on the road. Waking up in a different city every morning with a bunch of friends, a steaming hangover and memories of a great show to a new audience the night before is just what it’s all about for me”

Brightoneian Records – What brought you to Brighton originally?

Paul Diello –”I’ve always loved Brighton, when I used to come as a kid with myparents and then with my friends as a teenager I always stepped off that train at Brighton station and felt like I’d come home. I left home at 18 and went to Sydneyfor a year and I knew that when I returned I’d be heading straight for Brighton.”

Brightoneian Records – How do you find managing yourself and given the opportunity would you take on a manager?

Paul Diello –“I don’t love managing myself, there’s only so much I can do on my own so am definitely keen for management, once I’ve finished my second album that is something I will be looking into more. I am signed to a small label who help me as much as they can for which I’m very fortunate.”

Brightoneian Records – If you could break into any celebrity’s hotel room, who would it be and why?

Paul Diello – “Well I’ve always been a massive Madonna fan so a few years ago I’d have said her but now I reckon I’d only find boring things like macrobiotic mung beans and a yoga mat so for now I’ll say I’ll break in to Gael Garcia Bernal’s suite and hope to catch a glimpse of him stepping out of the shower!”

Brightoneian Records – So you went out to the US on tour – tell us a funny story from your travels.

Paul Diello – “There’s quite a few ridiculous stories from that tour but I’ll tell you about the drunk girl that gave me an over excited hug after a show in North Carolina and punched me straight in the throat as she went to put her arm round me. I heard it crunch and I felt like I was choking, it wasn’t that far into the tour, I had another 4 weeks to go and I was convinced I wouldn’t be able to sing and that I’d have to fly home, luckily it was fine after a couple of days, the girl didn’t even notice she’d done it!”

Brightoneian Records – X Factor – good thing or bad thing?

Paul Diello –“Well I think it’s ultimately a pile of s***but I shamefully admit to watching it from time to time. I think it’s a shame the charts aren’t really a thing to be excited about any more and that everyone in the top 20 is a Simon Cowell puppet. When I was growing up I’d sit with my friends by the radio on a Sunday night desperate to hear who was number one and then watching whoever it was perform the song on Top Of The Pops the following Thursday. All that seems to have gone now and been replaced by ‘talent’ shows that throw idiots like Jedward in to the limelight for young kids to look up to. But on the flip side, I am up for kids enjoying and being exposed to music, even if it is crap!”

Brightoneian Records – What has been the highlight of your music career so far?

Paul Diello – “Winning best solo artist and performing at Brighton Music Awards 2010 was up there, I got a pat on the back from Roger Daltrey and Jimmy Page asked me to sign a copy of my CD, that doesn’t happen every day!”

Brightoneian Records – What’s your favourite place in Brighton and why?

Paul Diello – “I do really love the beach, I don’t go there a lot but I love knowing it’s there. When touring the UK I really notice when the sea isn’t nearby, the air is different. Brighton beach just has an amazing vibe, when friends from out of town come to stay, they always want to go to the beach and when we get there I look around and feel really proud to be a Brightonian. I also love The George on Trafalgar St!”

Brightoneian Records – What is the most annoying thing in the world?

Paul Diello – “People’s complete lack of respect for each other really annoys me,people being mean for no reason, particularly kids. It was bad enough when I wasgrowing up but now with the Internet people can hide behind their screens andmindlessly bully till their hearts content. I know it sounds all hippy s*** butwe’re all in the same boat, we should be offering each other a hand, not a middlefinger!”

Brightoneian Records – If you could live in another country for a year – where would it be and why?

Paul Diello – “Well I spent a year in Sydney which was amazing so I could happily go back there but if I had to pick somewhere new I’d probably say America. I love New York so much and could quite happily spend a year there.”

Brightoneian Records – What’s next on the horizon for Paul Diello?

Paul Diello – “Next on the list is the release of my single You Lose. I’m currently in the studio making album 2 which is a huge change in sound from my first album, we’re having a lot of fun in the process. I’ll be heading back to the states for another US tour in the new year for the last hit of promotion for Last Green Bottle then will start all the promo for the second album. Lots of exciting stuff ahead!”

Paul Diello has now commenced his Green Bottle UK tour and you can catch him around the country throughout September and October. Be sure to check out the video for Paul’ssingle “You Lose” which will soon be on Youtube or on his official website Pauldiello.com.”

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