Q&A with Paul Cook of Paul Cook and the Chronicles

If you haven't noticed by now by my many posts about 'Paul Cook and the Chronicles' (ex. #4 on my list of my top 10 favorite songs of 2012) I'm a big fan of his, borderline obsession probably. I was able to do a Q&A interview with Paul Cook and here is a look into his musical world. Be sure to show him support by buying his music.

Q: What made you want to be a musician as a career?
A: I heard The Beatles as an infant and never wanted to be anything else.

Q: Who are your musical inspirations and what song or artist would you say is your biggest influence?
A: I don't have a single biggest influence as my musical mood changes a lot. People like Evan Dando, Elliot Smith, Paul Simon, Gram Parsons are the songwriters I return to again and again

Q: What the process you go through when you’re making music?
A: I wait until I'm miserable about something then get the guitar! Sometimes a whole song comes out, but I also have hundreds of verses or choruses sitting around waiting to be finished off.

Q: I have a huge obsession with the song ‘Candlelight’ from your album ‘Paul Cook & The Chronicles - Volume One’. What inspired that song?

My Top 10 Favorite Songs of 2012

Let me let this be known now, I'm just not into a lot of newer music, I rather listen some classic rock, or old school R&B or something. Of course the year hasn't ended yet but here are the songs so far. However, inevitably I always end up liking a few songs every year and here are ten songs from 2012 that have managed to get past my metaphorical musical wall that says "No New Music Allowed". In no particular order:

1) Children by V.V. Brown. From the very day I heard this song I've been obsessed. With a sample of "Do Your Ears Hang Low?" this definitely gives you a nostalgic feel. Its one of those songs where its catchy but you don't feel too ashamed of listening to it. To top off the already amazing song, rapper Chiddy of Chiddy Bang.

He just makes the song that much better with his lines "Watching the TV, man, kids just want to be famous and be a big star, rather be known than be nameless If I had my away, I'd draw it all up again Can't take a loss, we must stood up and win Momma was hurting and she couldn't spend a penny more But why nobody have real dreams anymore Forget the issues and worries this is something about Supporting optimistic dreams when it's crumbling down".

2) Stars by Grace Potter and the Nocturnals. Stars is one of those songs to me that you can just close your eyes and listen to the song and you feel as though you're outside in the night with fireflies flickering and you're just wanting to be with that one you love. Her voice is just absolutely perfect for the song as well the instrumental arrangement.

An Artist You Might Not Know: Paul Cook & The Chronicles

A few weeks I discovered the life changing artist Paul Cook & The Chronicles. He's from London and he's an Indie/Alternative/Folk/Spacey-Sound/Ambient kind of artist. His song Candelight (You can buy it on iTunes here) touches my soul. It has this "middle of the night, lost my love but still want her and I'm at a motel wishing she'd come back to me" kind of feel. Highly suggest you look into him if you ever get the chance. The name of his album out now is Paul Cook & The Chronicles - Volume One.

Link to his Facebook page here
Link to his album on iTunes here
Link to his album on Amazon here
Link to his official website here