Bispatial was the featured artist in the Christmas edition of Norwich Advertiser’s band profile. The interview has been reproduced below.
Artist name:
Bispatial.
Members names and ages:
Paul Keen, 36 (yeah, yeah - pensioner pop, I know!)
Where are you from?
I was born and raised in North London but moved to Hopton-on-Sea four years ago following a job change, but now live in Norwich.
Instruments played:
I play very basic keyboards, which I use to create my tracks on an Apple Mac. I also do all the singing.
Sounds like:
My aim is to make three-minute electronic pop songs that you can sing along to, something catchy, uplifting and moving. Gone are the days when Stock, Aitken and Waterman-penned songs dominated the singles charts and sadly, there doesn't seem to be much in the way of this kind of pop around anymore. I'm hoping to fill that void!
Influenced by?
I'm heavily influenced by 80s pop music including Depeche Mode, Yazoo, the Eurythmics and Erasure. The Godfather of synth music Vince Clarke and pop guru Pete Waterman are huge inspirations, as are fantastic vocalists such as Annie Lennox, Kirsty MacColl and Alison Moyet.
Best known song:
Secret Love seems to be everyone's favourite, although Hiding From The Storm which I recorded with Madsen has had the most exposure.
Any famous fans:
Not famous (yet!) but perhaps the most well known is trance artist Madsen, from down the road in Dereham.
Where can I listen to you?
You can hear several original tracks on the audio page of my website at www.bispatial.co.uk and I've put a handful of remixes on Myspace at www.myspace.com/bispatial.
Where can I see you live?
With Vista, Milo B and Mr Moon on March 28, 2009 at the Queen Charlotte in Dereham Road (8pm). Tickets are £3 in advance or £4 on the door.
I'm really hoping to find new places to play in and around Norwich. The live music scene here seems to be predominantly guitar-based bands with very few venues hosting Bispatial's particular brand of synth-pop.
Do you play in other bands?
I don't “play” in any other bands but I co-write and produce for a band called Sure, which is based in East London. I've also co-written a few tracks with other artists, most notably Oaf and Madsen. I've also provided vocals on two tracks for Washington-based dance artist, Phatso Brown.
What's your favourite song of all time?
My all-time favourite has to be a hidden gem from way back in 1992 by Erasure, entitled Waiting For The Day. It's Vince Clarke and Andy Bell doing what they do best, a modern synth-pop classic!
What is your favourite song of your own?
It has to be Lifeline which I co-wrote with my mate Alan Donald from Oaf.
Who writes your songs?
I write all of Bispatial's material but I have co-written several tracks with other artists for side projects.
First gig?
I made my live debut on Saturday, July 28, 2007, playing at the Grace Community Church in Stevenage, Hertfordshire.
Best ever gig?
So far, the first one.
What do you want to achieve?
I'd really love for people to listen to and enjoy my songs for what they are. There are no gimmicks, it's just me indulging in my love of pop music. Somewhere along the line, pop music went out of fashion and almost became a dirty word. I want people to enjoy pop again and be proud to say so! You don't have to fit into the current trend, be drop-dead gorgeous or be part of a manufactured band from a reality TV show to make good music: you just need people to listen and let the songs speak for themselves!
18 December 2008
