Blues by the Sea - Paul Gillings

It’s been a busy year for the Lowestoft-based harp player: presenting and playing a set with Danny R at February’s Harping By The Sea (HBTS) festival, the launch of his and Danny’s fabulous Cafe Studios EP in June, a return to gigging an upcoming album, and on the strength of the HBTS appearance, a slot at the SPAH festival in August. I caught up with Paul, who joined HarmonicaUK (then the NHL) back in 1988, to talk about all of the above and what the future holds. Originally turning up as a punter at HBTS, Paul is now one of the presenters and teaches a workshop alongside our own vice chairman Richard Taylor and team. Paul’s recent collaboration with singer/guitarist/songwriter Danny R has so far produced the Cafe Studios EP, a four BLUES BY THE track EP with songs written and arranged by Danny and with Paul writing and playing the SEA - PAUL harmonica parts and singing too. I remarked that although I could hear lots GILLINGS of influences within these tracks, there was nothing I could specifically relate Paul’s playing to, a remark he was delighted with. “I believe Dave ‘Dogfish’ you should like something because it sounds good, not Colclough, Editorial because it sounds similar to something you like. I try to get Team my sound to be as original as possible.” A self-confessed frustrated indie guitarist, Paul has been influenced by bands such as Stone Roses, The Bluetones and Pearl Jam, and with his use of different chord progressions and split octaves he has achieved a truly unique and fascinating sound. The two only started recording together last September, but the fit is a good one. “I haven’t always been great at expressing my emotions and feelings and managed to put over what I’m trying to say musically. I feel that has changed, especially working with Danny.” They have been doing some gigs together including the Red Rooster festival, and will be supporting the award winning blues duo When Rivers Meet at the Hunter club in December. Getting slots at two online harmonica festivals this year has been a coup for them. “It was fantastic to be asked to perform at the festivals - a great opportunity to get our material out there, and we receive really positive feedback from them both.” The performances can be found on YouTube.

There is more in the pipeline for Paul and Danny, but for the moment Paul is working on a harmonica instrumental album where Danny is playing some lead guitar lines. “I’m writing and performing all the songs myself apart from Danny’s part and also mixing them in my home studio, it’s going to feature some quite angry harmonica and should be out later this year.” He has also guested with Norwich-based rock/blues five piece Little Red Kings at some of their gigs and a collaboration with Tom Malachowski produced the seven track mini album Norfolk boy, and I urge you to check these guys out along with Paul’s previous two albums “You Don’t Even Know” and “Invisible Prison” from which a track appeared on the blues show with Cerys Matthews. Links can be found at paulgillingsharmonica.com A Seydel endorser, his diatonic harp of choice is the 1847 or the session steel, although he is currently in love with their low low tone harmonicas at the moment! Also a chromatic player, Paul is hoping that Santa brings him a Seydel Symphony in his stocking this year! He’s an innovative and original player, and I for one look forward to any future projects that come our way.