Surge Music Gig Guide

Born in the summer of 1981 in Lincoln, England. Paul started writing songs at an early age, putting his first demo tape of songs together at age nine. After seeing Prince perform in 1992 (at age ten) Paul started learning various instruments starting with drums, bass, piano then finally settling with guitar. Moving to Manchester at age twelve, he formed his first band “Gypsy’s Playground”. The band would stay together for five years releasing four albums of music through a small independent label/Fanzine called Little Green Man Music. Although not a commercial success, the pop-punk band had good reviews and several newspaper articles mainly highlighting their strength for being so young. Leaving school and “Gypsy’s Playground” behind, Paul set up a small recording studio at home and started a new band “Revolution 9”, a college band playing original songs in pubs for payment of beer! The biggest achievement for this band was playing three times at the famous Cavern Club in Liverpool; home of The Beatles only weeks after Paul McCartney took to the same stage. Starting work full time on a solo project, Paul started writing and recording hundreds of songs whilst playing acoustic shows around England.

In 2002 Paul decided with no savings to take a backpack and an acoustic guitar to the other side of the world. Armed with demos, Paul spent one year busking on the streets of Australia. During this time he formed a new three piece band “Aiden” based on solo work, he got into the local paper and was offered three separate recording contracts. Spending everyday playing and singing had paid off. In October 2003 Paul signed a large publishing and developing agreement with the number one independent label in Australia, Engine Room Music.

Engine Room first arranged for Paul to go to L.A in 2004 to work on tracks with producers Tony Hoffer (Beck/Air/Turin Brakes/The Thrills), Carmen Rizzo (Paul Oakenfold/Coldplay X&Y) also writing with Sheryl Crow’s co-writer Jeff Trott. Spending over two months there, he learnt the art of production, studying favorites such as Jon Brion whom he also got to meet whilst in L.A.

While living in Australia Paul recorded a self produced acoustic album with a sound that is new and organic. The album has had offers for release with SonyBmg Australia & new indie label Spinstyle Records. Songs on the album were written in Manchester, Los Angeles and Sydney. Closest comparisons would be Simon & Garfunkel meets Radiohead or Chris Martin meets Damien Rice.

Although intrigued by the interest of the Australian record companies, Paul decided to return to England with the ambition of performing, writing, recording and releasing music in his homeland. Returning to England in June 2005 with a wealth of experience he is now based in London represented by Edge Legal. Paul Aiden's debut E.P is set to be released in November through "A butchers hook" in the U.K and Spinstyle Records in Australia.