Paul John

ISSUE 513, 4 MARCH 2026, https://bit.ly/aldorabritainrecords-magazine-513 

Singer-songwriter Paul John is a tunesmith who follows in the iconic troubadour tradition, crafting songs of
meaning and honesty with an alternative and tongue-in-cheek undercurrent, to be performed around
campfires in the wilderness, coffeehouses with a warm and inviting atmosphere, or even a concert hall
erupting with welcome applause. These timeless compositions have been captured exceptionally
throughout Paul’s recent LP, entitled Startin’ in the Middle. This is an acoustic-minded collection that
effortlessly snapshots this artist’s natural and enduring relatability, telling his stories and reflections through
song and music. And taking a break from these superb creative endeavors, Paul sat down for a chat with
Aldora Britain Records to reflect on his life in story and song to date. We discussed popular original
compositions from his back-catalogue, his growth and evolution as an artist over the years, current big
influences and inspirations, and much more. That exclusive conversation is published here for the first time.

Aldora Britain Records: Hello Paul, how are you? I am excited to be talking with such a fantastic artist from down in Oxford. It is amazing how music can bring us together. Let’s start off by travelling back in time. What are some of yourearliest musical memories and what was it that first pushedyou towards pursuing this passion of yours?

Paul John: Thanks for this opportunity, Tom, it’s great to talk to you! Music is a huge part of my life, I have to focus on it when listening and can’t have my favourite tracks just on in the background. As a kid, there was always a record playing in our house and constant singing by my parents. I’ve always loved singing myself and making up snippets of tunes and lyrics, mainly for myself. It was only later on I made a conscious effort to learn how to turn them into actual songs.

Aldora Britain Records: And now, let’s take a leap forward to the present day and your brilliant solo output. I am definitely drawn in by your composition and songcraft. How do you approach this part of your creative process? Are you drawn to specific themes or topics? Perhaps coming from more of a personal, observational, or even fictional perspective or point of view?

Paul John: So far, I’ve written about what I know, so the songs have mainly been based on my own life. I don’t set out to write about a subject, it usually starts with an emotion or something I’ve experienced and balloons into something more. Saying that, the personal aspect is very often just a starting point, and I sort of skew reality for each song. That’s the really fun part for me. Also, a lot of my lyrics are written a little ironically and a bit tongue in cheek. Not sure how well that comes across to the listener. Maybe not laugh out loud funny, but I hope they bring a smirk to people’s faces. My newer stuff I’m writing just now, not yet released, are less first person, more based on observation, maybe I’m done with getting things off my chest for now at least!

Aldora Britain Records: You are fresh from releasing a superb new album called Startin’ in the Middle. This was also my introduction to your music, so it already holds a special place in my record collection. What are your memories from writing, recording and releasing it, and how would you say you grew and evolved as an artist throughout this process?

Paul John: Thanks for that, Startin’ in the Middle was self-recorded over many late nights in my studio/shed over the second half of 2025. I’d been writing for the last couple of years and before I knew it had a whole bunch of songs. Originally, I was going to release the odd single but then thought I’d hold back and develop a batch together. Technically, this worked out well, because through the trial and error of the recording process, I managed to get the feel I was happy with on several songs together. This helped to make sure they fit together as a whole. Some of the songs, including the title track, are about the feelings you may have as you age, not surprising from me since I’m no spring chicken. ‘Before’ is about regret and growing old with somebody. Oh, and I admit some of the songs on the album are me venting my frustrations, a few times since release, I have been called out as a protest singer. I do tend to point things out, I think we must with all that’s going on in the world right now, even if it risks sounding like complaining. Music generally I guess is escapism, but also a chance to call out nastiness. ‘My Dead Cousin’ is mainly about losing a close relative to conspiracy theories and populism. Another one, ‘Protest Songs’, is my way of protesting about the lack of protest songs from our bestselling artists, perhaps through fear of alienating their audience!

Aldora Britain Records: Let’s get more specific now. I would like to focus on two personal favourites, ‘Childhood’ and ‘Tiny Spiky Sphere’. Thank you for the music, let’s delve deeper with them and their creation process. For each, what is the story behind the song, and can you remember the moment it came to be? Did anything in particular inspire them and what do they mean to you as the writer and performer of each?

Paul John: Interesting, these are the oldest ones on the album. ‘Childhood’ is about being materialistic as a kid. Was that just me? All that stuff I just had to have in the 80s and never got, like a video recorder, soda stream, Mr Frosty, or a newer car than our tiny rusty Mini. Of course, I was already spoilt but didn’t realise it. ‘Tiny Spiky Sphere’ is kind of a love song to a certain virus written around lockdowns. It’s about the dissonance of that love hate relationship, despite the fear and nasty things that happened, were there actually some benefits?

Aldora Britain Records: When I listen to the record, I definitely get the impression that you would put on a memorable live show. A captivating and immersive display of song and storytelling, for sure. Is this something that you do? If so, what do you aim to bring to the stage as an artist, and what can a fan expect from their very first Paul John live experience?

Paul John: So, I’ve not played my own sets yet, but I want it to happen. I have played open mics, which I have loved, especially sneaking in my own songs. Honestly, I’m a work in progress and playing live is a craft I intend to develop!

Aldora Britain Records: I have been doing some digging over on Bandcamp, leading me back to 2024’s ‘Run!’. This is another exceptional snapshot of you as an artist and songwriter. Thank you for the music. How do you reflect on this outing on the whole now, and is there anything that you would edit or change when looking back with the benefit of hindsight?

Paul John: This was a simple, fun song, and one of the first I wrote. It was the first time I went through the process of releasing a single, so of course there’s loads I would do differently now! I mean technically and musically. I still feel I’m just getting started and my songwriting is developing rapidly. I do have a mix of quiet confidence and excitement about where my music will go next.

Aldora Britain Records: As you well know by now, I love that Paul John sound and your approach to making and creating music. I especially enjoy that eclectic and alternative foundation. How would you say this style of yours came about, what goes into it for you, and who are some of your biggest influences as an artist currently

Paul John: I have very wide-ranging tastes, so I’m sure that’s all gone into the mix in my mind over the years. I guess for this album, great songwriters like Laura Marling, Gaz Brookfield, Adrianne Lenker, and Dylan definitely influenced the songs and my playing. Also Pulp, Tim Minchin, and The Saw Doctors. I love down to earth lyrics with some humour. I never set out to fit to any genre, not sure what I am exactly but what came out definitely feels alternative and not commercial.

Aldora Britain Records: A broad question to finish. The last five to ten years have seen the world undergo so much change, both politically and culturally, with wars becoming increasing commonplace and environmental change. And then there’s the music industry, with streaming and AI. How would you say these years have impacted you, both personally and artistically?

Paul John: It feels like a joke to start with, doesn’t it, when these clowns get elected? It breaks my heart that lie and conquer is lately winning over anything like competence or decency. Despite this, I personally believe that most people mean well which gives me hope. Maybe that’s why even with some of my darker songs, there’s usually at least a hint of kindness and humanity somewhere.
As for the changing industry, well, I do miss the days of browsing CDs in a shop! On the other side, music is so easy and accessible now and there’s so much great stuff out there to find. I know most artists now practically make nothing from streaming, but it has allowed newer guys like me to get their work out there. I think AI has it’s uses in a limited way, things like automated synthesisers are nothing new. But if others want to use it to actually write or even sing music, then okay, but be open about it, don’t try and pass it off as original.

Quickfire Round
AB Records: Favourite artist or band? Paul: Radiohead.
AB Records: Favourite album? Paul: Blood on the Tracks by Bob Dylan.
AB Records: First album you bought with your own money? Paul: Out of Time by R.E.M.
AB Records: Last album you listened to from start to finish? Paul: Send A Prayer My Way by Julien Baker and Torres.
AB Records: First gig as an audience member? Paul: Guns n’ Roses.
AB Records: Loudest gig as an audience member? Paul: Probably Guns n’ Roses.
AB Records: Which artist or band have you seen most in concert? Paul: The Saw Doctors.
AB Records: Style icon? Paul: Don’t have one, sorry.
AB Records: Favourite film? Paul: Back to the Future.
AB Records: Favourite TV show? Paul: Ozark.
AB Records: Favourite up and coming artist or band? Paul: The Lilacs.