04/10/2018: Green Note, London, UK

Paperface mostly works alone. From his lighthouse studio, where he has built up an analogue haven in the old light room, the choppy waters of the Thames lie in one direction, and the urban sprawl lies in the other. He is probably up there right now working on new material (weather permitting).

His acclaimed first album ‘Out of Time’ received rave reviews and spawned a host of fans thanks in no small part to BBC Radio 6 Music, where songs such as ‘Amsterdam’ and ‘A Bigger Man’ were ably supported by Lauren Laverne, Mark Radcliffe and Stuart Maconie. The music has been described as ‘beautiful and darkly funny songs, tinged with irony and rich in observation’. The vinyl sold out at Rough Trade in only a few weeks.

Paperface is now hard at work on a follow up double album. Having taken to a barge, he and the band have set off round the waterways of the English countryside recording as they go. The first single ‘Idiot’ was Geoff Lloyd’s ‘Record of the Week’ on Absolute Radio, and featured on BBC Radio 6 Music by Chris Hawkins and by John Kennedy on Radio X.

The title song from the ‘Mr Wrong’ E.P. was compared by Stuart Maconie on BBC Radio 6 Music as being, “Brilliantly Prefab Sprout-like with shades of Robert Wyatt”. The video for it – hand drawn and animated by Paperface, premiered on Clash Music.

Perhaps most significantly, he is blessed to have a rare group of musicians that are prepared to travel from distant shores. On their last outing – that included a live session in the BBC Wales studios and a packed show at the Union Chapel in Islington – they were subjected to an eight hour ferry crossing owing to bad weather, but simply chose to rehearse throughout, such is the love they feel for this mysterious man and his music.

“Beguiling, clever, sad, and really funny at the same time… I love this!”
Lauren Laverne, BBC Radio 6 Music

“The Mysterious ‘Paperface’ my record of the week. Brilliant!”
Geoff Lloyd, Absolute Radio

“On my 6Music Recommends show, Paperface got a big response from listeners… absolutely beautiful…”
Stuart Maconie, BBC Radio 6 Music

“Wonderful! So tender, so incredibly well formed… Stunning!”
Bethan Elfyn, BBC Radio Wales

“I’ve been an idiot for not playing that sooner. Excellent!”
John Kennedy, Radio X

“Wow! That’s something really special. Quickly becoming one of my new favourites!”
Chris Hawkins, BBC Radio 6 Music