There are some musicians that grab your attention the moment they take to the stage. You know they are born to be up there and to share their music. Michael Paynter is one of those guys.
He plays all instruments on his forthcoming debut album and has a talent for developing songs that take on a life on their own. His voice is simply exceptional. And pulling the whole show together, he has the personality to ensure he doesn’t go un-noticed. “I’m a pretty loud and intense person and I’ve got more energy then any other human I have ever met.”
Backed by Sony BMG, Paynter is set to release first single “Closer” after an exhaustive day shooting the video clip. It was a good opportunity to get his mates’ “ugly mugs” on TV and the song has the potential to make serious mainstream waves.
He was convinced by management it was the one to greet the world with. “It’s very catchy and easy to grab a hold of. And I played everything on that single so that was part of the angle we wanted to go for as well”.
The demo version of his song “Superhero” was used to promote the TV hit show Heroes and is likely to be the next choice. These are just two of the collection he has worked passionately to create.
His first taste of the industry was the daunting task of impressing Sony BMG in an arranged audition. “They flew me up to Sydney, put me in a hotel, and I went around and met the company. That was probably the first moment when I thought I’m getting into some serious shit here.
“I was on my own, no band with me. And to be honest, I don’t think I knew what to expect enough to be nervous. If I had it now, I’d probably be terrified. It’s the useful naivety that gets you through.
He was offered a development deal by Sony at first and went on a life-changing writing tour to work along side some the industry big names that would compliment his own style. “Nobody I met made me intimidated. But it was definitely interesting seeing walls plastered with Robbie Williams décor, gold albums and millions of sales.”
It was his first “real” overseas trip (New Zealand prior) and “It definitely grew me up a bit. The biggest thing it did was it made me feel really confident in what I have to bring to music as an artist”.
He continues: “While Melbourne, I think, is the best live music city in the world, it’s such a small pond. It’s so easy to feel lost in terms where you stand against the rest of the world. You can be a big fish in such a small pond. It gave me a world view of what I had to offer.”
While he will always love Australia, “From day one we’ve had world domination in store”. He is confident with his personal and professional growth. “I think I’ve really developed and blossomed if you will in the last 9 months. I just think I couldn’t have coped with the pressure and the schedule and that before hand.”
His appreciation for music and the people that make it is evident with a natural “Oh, mate!” response to who has influenced him and a dream gig line-up. Of course Bono made mention “for the way he changes people, not just with his music but with his actions. That has been a big influence on me – the holistic approach of being an artist.”
In his words, the “wet dream of a gig”? “Great question! Probably be me (of course), Motor Ace would re-form, Bloc Party and U2.” No doubt many would be at that, staged at one of the biggest venues– “Wembley packed to the rafters with another 100,000 people waiting outside”. The thought is huge, and one Paynter starts to wonder how he can make happen some day.
Even if this particular one fall shorts, there is no doubt he is destined for great things. As many intriguing artist say, contentment is a life-long journey and the next big hit always on the horizon. “I believe this is what I was born to do. So I’m trying to make sure my life is steered in a way that allows me to do that. I’ll keep doing it until I can’t any more.”
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