[vc_row el_class=”interview”][vc_column][vc_column_text el_class=”intro-text”]Paul McGee, better known by his stage name, McGoozer, has had an incredibly busy year so far. With the release of his debut album, Songs From The Mirror, on the horizon, an infectious hit in the iTunes charts and a number of stunning new music videos and live performances, we sat down with McGee to find out more about the man in the mirror.
McGoozer will grace the stage at London’s Roadhouse this Friday (15th September) for his debut album launch party. More details about the show can be found here, but for more details about the man himself, follow on to the interview below.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]
- Hey McGoozer, what’s been going on? Seems like you’ve had a pretty busy year so far.
- Hi, guys. It’s been an amazing few months. It’s been non-stop since we released the first single on Valentine’s day this year. We’ve come a very long way in a short period of time and now I’m finally about to launch my debut album. I’m so excited. Some of these songs have been in my head for many years so it’s a huge buzz sending them out into the world and an even bigger buzz getting to hear them played on the radio, or pop up in day to day life.
- You’ve released a number of stunning videos this year. How did you find the process of being on screen?
- It isn’t something I’m used to but it’s an opportunity that most people don’t get so I wanted to make the most of it. With the first one, it was simply about how much fun we could have making a video so we rounded up a bunch of our friends and just had a full on party day, out on boats, having a few drinks in the sunshine and having a sing song. The camera team followed us throughout the day and ended up capturing all the fun we had along the way. It was a cracking day.
- Falling Out Of Love (FOOL) turned into a massive iTunes hit! Was this something you expected?
- Not at all. I wrote the song with Fred Abbott from Noah and The Whale, who’s a good friend of mine. We actually wrote it a few years ago and we knew we had something special at the time but were just waiting for the right opportunity to release it. The buzz we already had from the first single definitely helped but I had no idea it would go as well as it did. Straight to number 3 on the Itunes Singer Songwriter charts on the day of release. I’d never had anything remotely close to that before so I was blown away. It was also helped by the fact that I did the launch night up in Glasgow in front of all my family and friends. It was so cool to be able to share that moment while having all those guys around. The Scottish press really helped too. It was very funny seeing myself in the Daily Record and also performing on Scottish TV. Another couple of big boxes ticked.
[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text el_class=”large-quote”]”That’s what spurs me on to keep trying. If it was easy, everyone would be doing it.”[/vc_column_text][vc_video link=”https://youtu.be/Dx4_LEAzzaw”][vc_column_text]
- You launched your debut single via a ‘live social media party’. How much of a role would you say social media has played in your success?
- Social media and specifically Music Crowns has been an enormous part of the success. It was never high up on my agenda previously but since getting involved with you guys the number of people my music has been exposed to has rocketed. It’s amazing how far and wide your music can spread these days. It’s also opened up some possibilities to tour other territories where I’ve picked up fans along the way. The live feed gigs have been amazing too. It’s a great interactive format where you can immediately communicate with the people who are tuning in all around the world.
- Would you say it’s making it easier or more difficult for emerging musicians to get discovered?
- I think it’s always been difficult. There are elements that are easier and other sides that are harder these days but there’s always a way and no 2 versions, of an artist breaking through, are the same. That’s what spurs me on to keep trying. If it was easy, everyone would be doing it.
- Is there any specific meaning behind the album’s title? It sounds to us like a record of self-reflection?
- The album is about exactly that. It’s about who you see when you look inside yourself. We all have different sides to our personalities and it’s about which version of yourself will shine through on any particular day.
[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text el_class=”large-quote”]”So many unexpected trips and experiences along the way to making this album.”[/vc_column_text][vc_video link=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wmi4JY47VAk”][vc_column_text]
- What was the songwriting and recording process like for the album?
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The album has been written and recorded over a period of years. Some of the songs have been around since I started writing and some of them just popped up in the last couple of months. I love that about it. It’s pretty much a slice of the different stages of my musical life, from when I started, up to the present day.It was also recorded in a lot of different places. I had an amazing time in Nashville writing and recording some of the songs with the legendary Graeme Pleeth. Graeme has written and produced countless legendary artists and I actually started working with him in London but a few months later we found ourselves in one of the top recording studios in Nashville, recording stuff that would eventually make it on the album that’s now being released. It’s funny even thinking about it now. So many unexpected trips and experiences along the way to making this album.
- You’re signed to a management company in the USA. Do you get to perform much over there? If so, how do audiences across the pond tend to react to McGoo?
- I’ve been going back and forth to the USA socially for a few years now and always had a brilliant time and got to know some amazing musicians into the bargain. I’ve always had a really great reaction from American crowds and been made to feel at home from the moment I arrived. I love recording and writing but live gigs are what I get the biggest kick out of and the live scene in the US is brilliant. Especially in Nashville. I fell in love with the place. It’s really exciting to now be able to plan a proper tour where we’ll get to hit the road over there. There’s so much to see.
- What are your plans for the rest of the year? Have you got any upcoming shows/tours booked?
- Busy times ahead. As soon as the album is out I’ll be coming to a venue near you, wherever you are, haha. We’re doing Launch nights in London and in New York, then playing various places around the UK and then I think we’re going to finish it all off with a gig in Glasgow, to round things off nicely. The last Glasgow gig went so well, we need to go back soon. I’ll be pretty much jumping back and forth between the US and UK so keep an eye out. Also, there’ll be a bunch of live feed gigs going on too, so you can tune in from wherever you are in the world. Check it all out at www.mcgoozer.com
- When are we likely to get our next McGoozer record?
- Now I’ve started, it’s hard to stop. I’ve got plenty of stuff already recorded and constantly adding to it so I’m sure there’ll be some other bits and pieces coming your way sometime next year.
[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text el_class=”intro-text”]To keep up to date with McGoozer’s evolving sound and musical endeavours, head over to his social channels below.
Socials
Facebook
Twitter
Youtube
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