Paul McLaney, born 1975 in Stockton-on-Tees, England, is a New Zealand-based music composer, poet, singer and guitarist.
The Deep Dark Hole his first book was published in March 2024
Praise for The Deep Dark Hole
“A beauty to behold” - Roger McGough
“lets the light of hope in to illuminate the darkest of places and times” - Elsewhere
His first collection of verse Bookshop Prayers followed hot on the heels in October 2024, a collection of 200 poems for adults of all ages. Inspired by the verse of poets like Roger McGough, Billy Collins, William Blake and Spike Milligan.
These new words started as a way of compiling a body of paternal advice and comfort for his children. They soon evolved into observations and empathy with friends and family. Finally they expanded into that realm of everyone’s normal concerns; everyday poems for everyday use. Friendly verse patiently waiting in a book to have their moments. Some are sillier than others and some are sillier still. Amongst them you will hopefully discover meditations, whimsy, well-meaning advice, doggerel, spells, wordplay and above all, a love of language engaged in a motivation to kindness; rhymes of cheer and good intent…
In a musical career spanning 30 years, Paul McLaney has released a remarkable body of work under various guises; the rock and pop of Gramsci; the acoustic finger-style guitar and lush string arrangements of his solo work ‘EDIN’ ‘Diamond Side’; the ambient and experimental electronica of The Impending Adorations; prog-rock homage (Immram); the piano excursions of ‘The Old Traditions’ with Raashi Malik; the Te Reo song settings of Shakespeare and an ever expanding body of composition for theatre and dance – over 30 productions to date.
Added to this are his collaborations; Anika Moa, SJD, Breaks Co-op, Julia Deans, Concord Dawn, Counterstrike, Fly My Pretties, Jeff Boyle (Jakob), Proteins of Magic, Magik Johnson, Eden Mulholland, Pacific Heights, Rhian Sheehan, Maisey Rika the list goes on and on...
https://www.audioculture.co.nz/profile/paul-mclaney