Paul Roland

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Cult English recording artist Paul Roland, described as “the male Kate Bush” by one-time label mate Robyn Hitchcock, has released 10 albums for collectable labels such as Bam Caruso, New Rose and Imaginary in a low-key career that has seen him acclaimed on the continent but criminally ignored in his native country.
In England he is better known as a writer of mass market books on mysticism and the occult for major publishers. However, his reputation as a uniquely imaginative and consistently fascinating figure on the psych-pop circuit has substantially increased with each album.

Other cult figures such as Robyn Hitchcock, Nick Saloman (Bevis Frond), Nick Nicely, and Andy Ellison (John’s Children) have made guest appearances on his albums, several of which are now listed as highly collectable.

Since 1979 Paul has been spinning his bizarre tales against an evocative backdrop of rock, psychedelic pop, folk and, occasionally, baroque strings.
His most memorable character creations include a crotchety Regency magistrate, various 19th century murderers, a retired executioner, an opium addict, and an entire court of medieval grotesques.
But not all his dreams are dark.
Among his more whimsical creations are the eccentric characters on the largely acoustic album “Happy Families” and its prequel “A Cabinet of Curiosities”.

His first album “The Werewolf of London” (1980) which boasted a penchant for historical and supernatural themes was picked up by Armageddon Records, who at the time also had the Soft Boys on their roster.
And it was there that Paul met Robyn Hitchcock who later appeared on tracks for Paul’s second album.
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  • KharBevNor

    I dunno. Burnt Orchids came out in 1985, 4 years after Di6 formed. You can see a very definite through-line for Di6's development from post-punk to their later neo-folk sound that doesn't necessarily involve a lot of external influences beyond the ones they had from the beginning (you can tell Doug Pierce probably really likes early Joy Division, for example). Not saying that he's never heard Paul Roland, but it's as likely that both just have common influences. As others have pointed out way back, the main reason Paul Roland gets the neo-folk tag is because 'Wyndham Hill' is on a neo-folk compilation called 'Looking For Europe'. It's on the first disc (which seems more of an 'influences' thing) along with a wide selection of other stuff you'd never really call neo-folk (Test Dept. and Brith Goff, Scott Walker, Nico, Strawbs). Then again, I've never had a chance to get my hands on the 106 page book that accompanies the compilation so I don't know waht their logic in including it was.

    16 May 9:43am Reply

  • nuevasinecdoque

    Just listen to Green Glass Violins and tell me is not an influence on what Death In June was doing. I agree it's not neofolk, but I can see why these groups have linked this guy.

    31 Jan 3:02pm Reply

  • Batcavegothy

    I gotta laugh at this "Neofolk against communism" group. First this isn´t Neofolk and second communism never really existed. There were some "wannabe" and out of order tries, but look up Marx and you know this must have been a joke. Useless group and it´s sad to see this nice artist as a member.

    20 Dec 2012 Reply

  • overndout

    "neofolk" tag is indeed out of place here

    29 Oct 2012 Reply

  • RealPaulRoland

    Hi, PRAS here - please check out my profile and connect to Paul via facebook and/or twitter ( @realpaulroland ) or his WP blog, we're doing our best to keep all channels open and everyone posted (the man's so prolific :) Extremely impressed with Paul's artist page, a great selection of pics & excellent biog!

    23 Sep 2012 Reply

  • KharBevNor

    New picture is boss as hell

    22 Apr 2012 Reply

  • Robo_Dobo

    What a awesome guy.

    23 Jan 2012 Reply

  • TheDarkMinstrel

    and Danse Macabre / Burnt Orchids

    8 Nov 2011 Reply

  • drmishello

    A Cabinet Of Curiosities

    18 Sep 2011 Reply

  • NorseDave

    Cruelly underrated genius (4)

    2 Aug 2011 Reply

  • KurtBell

    And the new album iseally really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really Satisfactory.

    24 Jul 2011 Reply

  • TheDarkMinstrel

    And the new album iseally really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really nice !!! ;)

    20 Jun 2011 Reply

  • KurtBell

    I really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really want the new album!!!!!

    17 Jun 2011 Reply

  • Brulak

    New album "Grimm" has been relased. Got my copy yesterday. Some official release info here http://paulroland.wordpress.com/

    1 Jun 2011 Reply

  • KharBevNor

    I just realised I am personally responsible for nearly 2% of all plays. That's nuts.

    22 Apr 2011 Reply

  • KharBevNor

    Psychedelic Pop Against Electric Lightbulbs

    22 Apr 2011 Reply

  • DrCaligari

    Neofolk Against Whatever.

    15 Apr 2011 Reply

  • KharBevNor

    It's fucking hilarious that Neofolk Against Communism have linked to Paul Roland. He's not even neo-folk. He's barely even folk, for fucks sake. Also fairly sure a guy who wrote a pop-history book entitled 'The Nuremberg Trials: The Nazis and Their Crimes Against Humanity' isn't a friend of their cause.

    6 Apr 2011 Reply

  • TheDarkMinstrel

    Cruelly underrated genius (3). Captain Blood is awesome (and all other songs !!)

    9 Jan 2011 Reply

  • oliverjoh

    Cruelly underrated genius. (2) so many great songs.

    26 Sep 2010 Reply
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