A Q&A with Paul Archer

Belfast-born artist blends cosmic soul, alt rock and
visual art…

What’s the title of your latest release, and what does it mean to you?
My latest single ‘Fear Destroyer’ is written in response to how my journey is changing and has moved towards real, tangible freedom from anxiety and fear to faith and belief in a loving higher power which identifies deeply with each of us and wants to heal, nurture, protect and liberate us from fear by means of profound love.
This love permeates the subatomic fabric of everything beyond even the quantum level. This song encapsulates my message to the world of the importance in the belief of one divine Creator who alleviates all suffering and offers peace and love.
This song is a joyous explosion of light, love and liberation and the process of becoming spiritually, physically, emotionally and mentally whole.
Given that we all now live in the midst of war, famine, and climate change. People all over the world are experiencing fear in their everyday lives.
With all of that in the forefront of my mind I began to create this composition.
I sought to translate these important realities into a sonic story of hope.
I then wrote this song with the sincere belief that this message provides hope to those who listen.
For me personally, I have a personal relationship with the Logos / Jesus Christ and this is incredibly relevant now more than ever for me.

What was the hardest part about putting this release together, and why?
I was extremely grateful to have the mentorship of Colin Harper (local author, musician, songwriter, force of nature and friend of Jonny Marr) and Karen Smyth (Irish artist and musician). Colin was instrumental in this new solo record in that Colin (and Karen) worked with me to secure Arts Council N.Ireland and National Lottery backing for this project and Colin also encouraged me to bring my visual and my sonic art together for this record. He also brought in Roger Houdaille and his fantastic team at Think Like A Key Records in America. I also worked with Andy Hawkins who produced and played on the songs on Side A and these songs were recorded at the beautiful Nave Studios in Leeds. The current single ‘Fear Destroyer’ was recorded with Andy Hawkins at his amazing studio in Leeds.
Side B was recorded at home in Belfast with Rick Bleakley who also plays live with me and with Gary Must who plays drums in my other project and on all of Side A of Art. Gary is another genius and always a pleasure to collaborate with.

Who produced the release – what did they bring to it? If you produced it yourselves what do you enjoy most about producing your own material?
Andy Hawkins who produced my current single ‘Fear Destroyer’ is an absolute sonic genius and he is a multi-instrumentalist and I have worked with Andy collaboratively on my previous bands and projects The Ghears, Burning Codes & Giant Collapse. It is always a fun and joyful and profoundly creative collaboration working with Andy Hawkins.
Rick Bleakley who I recorded Side B of the new record brought his own distinctive creative genius to the new record with the idea from Colin being that Side A was more of a full sonic palette where Side B is more introspective and stripped down reflecting the different aspects of my writing and performance.

What do you want the listener to take away from listening to your music?
My work is feeling and instinct led. This approach encompasses both my sonic as well as my visual art. My hope would be to try to communicate on a deeper level as my work has a yearning for deep faith, hope, light, meaning, purpose, compassion and empathy at its core. There is a song on this new album called ‘Write It From The Soul’ and I think this is, in a way, my modus operandi.

How does a track normally come together? Can you tell us something about the process?
As I mentioned previously my work is feeling and instinct generated firstly and music and/or visual art secondly.
I generate very large volumes of work as I travel through this ongoing experience of being. This affects me mentally, physically, psychologically and spiritually.

What band/artists have influenced you the most since you started this project, and why?
My favourite band would be the music of The Velvet Underground, My Bloody Valentine, 60s soul, early rock ‘n’ roll, Gospel and Indian classical music, Cream, Pixies.

Image: Helen Violet French

What countries would you like to tour? Are there any standout venues you’d like to play in?
I’d like to tour all over the world. I have previously toured in Europe and around the UK including up in the French Alps which was a stunning place to play a series of shows. I’d like to tour in the U.S. also.
I love to perform in front of intimate audiences also where I have the opportunity for close connection with the lovely people that I encounter there.

If you could pick one track for our readers to listen to in order to get a taste of your music, what would you pick, and why?
‘Fear Destroyer’, my latest single as it is my heartfelt, visceral expression of light, joy, love and liberation and encapsulates the desire to be spiritually, physically, emotionally and mentally whole.

What ambitions do you have for your career?
My ambition would be to continue to create, paint, play, write, record and share my work and continue to reach out and to try to spread a message of compassion, empathy, liberation and light.

Finally, as you leave the stage, what are your parting words?
Heartfelt thanks and keep moving in the light! This relates to an incredibly joyful composition on my new album Art.

Find out more about Paul Archer at paularcherofficial.com

Main Image: Dan Donovan