Paul Wassall is a musician, composer and songwriter based in the northwest of England, UK.
Background
Born in a suburban village in England in the mid-70's, like many kids during that era, Paul regularly went to the cinema in his local town to watch the blockbusters of the day; Star Wars (IV, V, VI), Raiders of the Lost Ark (and sequels), E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial, Superman, The Goonies etc. All of these movies were, of course scored by composer and pianist John Williams. Hearing Williams’ music at such an impressionable age, along with that of John Barry, Ennio Morricone and their contemporaries made quite an impression on Paul during his childhood and doubtless provided an invaluable sonic foundation on which to build in the years to come.
On the face of it, the household Paul grew up wasn't especially musical as neither of Paul's parents played a musical instrument. His paternal grandfather did, however, play viola/violin but due to advancing arthritis in his fingers, sadly Paul never heard his grandfather play. Despite this, there was a very good, albeit limited selection of music being regularly played at home and on the family car stereo; ABBA, Carpenters, Simon and Garfunkel, Queen, John Denver, John Barry and Ennio Morricone to name a few. This backdrop doubtless influenced Paul's musical sensibilities in the years that followed.
Paul began his musical journey in the early 80's having 'borrowed' a Casiotone mini keyboard from his disinterested younger sibling. Whilst this basic instrument lacked any sort of sonic refinement, the rudimentary synthesiser nonetheless sparked an instant interest in playing music which had, until this point laid dormant. Paul soon found that he was able to play many of his favourite tunes by ear, no doubt in part helped by the omnipresent synth pop of the 1980's. Over time, this developed into a love for writing, playing and performing, a passion which remains.
During his secondary school years and like many of his peers, Paul joined the school choir. Having performed in school productions of Sir Peter Maxwell Davies' The Peat Cutters and Carl Orff's Carmina Burana, Paul's love of orchestral and choral music took hold. The inevitable arrival of puberty resulted in (at the time) a very unwelcome shift from soprano to bass register which, coupled with an enthusiastic reception of heavy rock/metal in the late 80's/early 90's, inevitably cut the 'choir years' short. In Paul's words "It just wasn't very 'rock n roll' to be in a boy's choir".
Following a stint as a vocalist in various school rock/metal cover bands, it wasn't until his art college years that Paul cut his teeth as a keyboard player, songwriter and vocalist in progressive rock bands - a role lasting over 25 years and leading to the present day...
