Hurricane Paul picks up strength
Paul Hourican has just released his first album through his own record label, Hurricane. He tells Alison O'Riordan about his career and taking control
Sunday March 16 2008
Delorentos, Director and Channel One have all made big names for themselves, and now it's the turn of singer/ songwriter and fellow Malahidian Paul Hourican whose debut album Let the Enemy In has just been released through Warner Music Ireland.
Hourican gives his own perspective, saying: "Malahide is a very unique place and central to my writing. It's an isolated place where a lot of people know each other, and in my opinion it's a healthy output for all these young people from this picturesque village to be out there making music.
"I played in a few bands growing up in Malahide but I never made it out of the rehearsal room, so I'm delighted with how far I've come to date."
It is obvious Paul has a natural flair for song writing, having written all the songs on his album. He says: "It seems to be a natural thing which just happens by accident. I suppose you could call it a craft. I don't really sit down and have to work at it, it just comes to me. I never have to fight for it to come as there is always something to write about.
"Oddly enough, when I was in London in university there was only one room I could go to where no-one was within ear shot and I could sing to my heart's content. I made a lot of trips to that empty laundry room when in London, and many a song was composed between those walls."
With a mother who sings and two sisters who also have great voices, Paul is the only one from the family to pursue his gift. He discovered an unused guitar at the age of 15, and a tumultuous relationship with music began.
Paul explains: "I was up the road at a friend's house, and I saw a guitar lying about which he had got as a gift. I thought, 'Wouldn't it be cool to play the guitar?' So I offered him a measly sum of money for my first guitar -- which I still have."
Being a gifted songwriter and performer with oodles of convincing charm, there is little surprise that he has supported big names such as Damien Rice and Aslan to date. But Hourican is quick to remind me how fate always plays a part, and few manage to get ahead in music without a lucky break.
Paul quotes his favourite line, from the Beatles song All You Need is Love: "Nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be. It's easy." He feels this has had some resonance in his career to date.
Paul tells me about his lucky break, which involved a gutsy move on his part when
he confronted Damien Rice.
"I had just recorded my first demo with two songs on it and I saw Damien Rice was playing in London, so I went to the gig and slipped him my demo at the end of the night. I bumped into him back in Dublin and he was really enthusiastic about my stuff, so I supported him before one of his gigs -- which was a big milestone for me."
Paul left London in 2002 and went to New York, which wasn't as welcoming as he had hoped and gigs and work were hard to come by. Six months later he headed back to Dublin, determined to forge his own musical path. And that he did.
With a sound and music which Paul describes as "all over the shop as a result of being influenced by so many bands", his album seems to be a melting pot of his diverse record collection. The name for his album Let the Enemy In comes from Paul's firm belief that people tend to put up walls to protect themselves and it's only when one finds true perfection that these walls are let down and the enemy is let in.
Hurricane Records, Hourican's own record label, was set up for the purpose of releasing his records and ensuring that he would maintain control of his career.
Paul says: "I had heard so many horror stories about people getting ripped off in the music business that I didn't see much sense in working your ass off and letting someone else screw you over, so I decided to take control.
"It has been a great experience, as sometimes I feel artists are a bit sheltered when it comes to designing posters and booking a tour, etc. I have learned a lot from this and it has made me see another side to the business."
With a superb voice and a gift for a melody, they do not come much better than this young man.
Watch out, musicians of Malahide.
