Interview: Paul Carrack

We had the pleasure of interviewing Paul Carrack ahead of him playing in Harrogate and York next week on his current UK tour.

You have a new album that has just been released, can you tell us what to expect?

The new album is called Soul Shadows, there are 9 new songs which I have written plus one co-written with Chris Difford from Squeeze. The album closes with a cover of the Bobby Bland track, Share Your Love With Me. I recorded the album in my home studio then we went into a studio in London just to polish the tracks up.

Did you always want to be in a band or a singer?

Yes, I did. I've been doing this since I was 16. I always wanted to be in a band because basically I'm hopeless at anything else. I'm no good with my hands so doing things like DIY is not my thing. I've had a long career firstly with Ace and the big hit we had with How Long? then with Mike and the Mechanics followed by my solo career.

You are originally from Yorkshire?

I'm originally from Sheffield but by my teens I was on the road. I went to Germany and then back to the UK, I gravitated to London and met and married a London girl. I am a big Sheffield Wednesday fan and still go to the games. All of my current band are from Sheffield too and it's always great to come back up to Yorkshire.

The tour visits Yorkshire, you are playing in Harrogate and York?

I am looking forward to the gigs, it will be a mix of old and new tracks. Last time I played a gig in Harrogate I had my wife with me and we had a walk around the town and then had a cup of tea and a sandwich. We used to always play a few gigs after Christmas too at the Ritz ballroom in Brighouse, which was always a bit surreal as it was always different to the other venues we play. It was always great fun with a relaxed atmosphere, they never over sold the gigs so there was always plenty of space, I believe though that the guy who owned the venue has now sold it.


Harrogate and York are always good gigs so they promise to be great shows.

Harrogate Royal Hall Tuesday 26 January 2016. Tickets available from:
http://www.harrogatetheatre.co.uk. Telephone: 01423 502116

York Barbican Wednesday 27 January 2016. Tickets available from:
http://www.yorkbarbican.co.uk. Telephone 0844 854 2757