Hi Paul, thanks for taking the time to do this. Can you tell us a little about yourself as a musician and who the members of The Mayblooms and what are their roles?
I fronted an Alt Country/Rock band for the last 5 years called ‘Cooper Street Exit’ and am now embarking on a record with a bunch of different musos who are ‘The Mayblooms’. The guys are made up of members from bands such as a punk rock band called ‘Waverley’, an ambient prog/folk outfit called ‘Autumn Gray’, my brother, and couple of guys from bands of yesteryear.
How long have you been playing together? Can you tell us how you originally formed? Where did your name come from?
The Mayblooms as a band are less than twelve months old. As musicians, we’ve all wanted to play together for years but didn’t have the right project for it. It was when I decided I wanted to record a solo album post ‘Cooper Street Exit’ that we realised it would most likely work. As far as the name goes, The Mayblooms was taken from The Hawthorn football club. Before 1943, they were known as the Mayblooms and supposedly changed their name because it was a bit ‘soft’. But I’m for all things soft, so we claimed it.
How would you describe your sound?
The whole point of the solo record was to throw any ideas of what style I wanted to sound like out the window. Naturally through the recording process though, we found a cohesive sound that though diverse, fits nicely together as a whole. Davin (producer) and myself really wanted to make our own version of Augie March’s ‘Sunset studies’. And while we would never say we’ve made something as stunningly beautiful as Sunset Studies, it was a great yardstick. Mix Augie March’s Ambiance with Ryan Adams’ Alt Countryness and you’ll find something like the Mayblooms.
Who are your influences?
I unfortunately don’t have that uber cool rock story where I can tell you I was brought up on nothing but Beatles and Stones records. I only ever listened to my first Beatles record at the age of 21. There was two options in our house. Creedence Clearwater revival or Cliff Richard Circa 1986. Although I can hear the meld of these two acts in my music, it would be people I discovered later in life like Nick Drake, Whiskeytown and Tom Waits that make me keep wanna making music interesting.
Have you had many gigs recently?
We have been super quiet on the gigging front while we’ve been making the record. When you rehearse, you wanna know what you are rehearsing for. If you have too many gigs on the calender you end up trying to focus on making an interesting show rather than focusing on how things should sound on the record. So we really didn’t want to play while making. We have the single launch on Feb 3rd at the Wesley Anne in Melbourne. After that, im gonna take some time to play interstate and get away for a bit.
If you could share a stage with any band in the world who would you choose?
I’d say Ron Sexsmith, but sharing a stage with him makes you not count at all. That guy is so good live the audience would have long forgotten about who was on before hand. Put me on tour with Wilco. I’ll be happy watching those guys every night.
What are your career highlight so far?
This being a new project, the highlight would have to be hearing the Single blast back through the monitors at Sing Sing studios, right after the mixing process. It sounded tops. More people should have rooms in their houses dedicated to music. But overall, when playing in my previous band ‘Cooper Street Exit’ we built up a reputation as a rocking live band. Whenever we would book a show at The Tote in Collingwood, it would be like a reunion. Everyone knew if it was at The Tote and Cooper Street Exit were playing, it was going to be a great night. They were fun.
If a crowd comes to see Paul McManus & The Mayblooms perform live what will they go away remembering?
Probably not much after all the drinks consumed. For the few that do remember the night, I’d hope they’d like the sincerity of the performance. There’s no following trends to please the people of the latest fad. It’s a bunch of guys playing their music and being super grateful for having people watching it. So I’d say that. And maybe the three part harmonies at the end of ‘Stalled’.
You’re just about to release a new Album. What can people expect to hear on it?
We went for the idea of a mini album. 8 songs. Nothing too long. Moments that reek of Nostalgia, Depression and Sunshine. There’s some sections that sound as delicate as a Neil young Record, and some that are as epic as a Coldplay Crowd Pleaser. The vibe feels as if your walking down a sunny country road, hungover after a night on amphetamines and alcohol. Pleasant, but disconnected.
What was the process like putting together the Album?
Extremely relaxing. We recorded the majority of it live to Analogue tape over a six month period. It was nice to space it out over that time so there was no looking at the clock then watching your wallet empty because of studio fees. Everyone was in such a rad mind state to record the songs. No one was in a shit period of their lives where their dog had just died or their partner had just left them for someone else. The Hardest part was deciding the tracking order.
Are you nervous about the launch?
Extremely. We are putting final touches on the live show, and being the first one that’s more than just me playing acoustic, I’m very nervous, but oh so excited to be back on the horse that I’d felt I’d fallen off of. That being playing as part of a band.
Where do you hope Paul McManus & The Mayblooms end up in 2012? What are you short term goals? What are your long term goals?
Exactly where we are right now. Enthusiastic and excited about the future. Sure, I’d love the album to do well, be the face of rolling stone and be playing every major festival, but you never know how things will plan out. So short term goals are where its at. Right after the launch in Melbourne, we’ll be heading round Australia, playing and promoting for the album release. There’s also another project of home recordings myself and some friends are working on. Ideally. I don’t wanna be working for the man.
Where do you play live so people can come to see you?
The Wesley Anne in Northcote on Feb 3rd. The Brunswick hotel on Feb 11th for a fundraiser ‘The Lighthouse Foundation’ are putting on, and then interstate and regional Victoria. More details to come on those.
Is there anything else you would like people to know about your music?
It sounds great stoned.
Do you have a website people can check out?
www.paul-mcmanus.com