5 Songs I Love w/ Paul Archer

Following the release of his official music video for 'No Fear', taken from his solo debut album 'Art', Flex caught up with Northern Irish singer-songwriter Paul Archer to find out what influences his blend of indie and alternative rock sound. If you like Paul's picks, be sure to check out 'No Fear' at the end of the article.

1. The Verve - So It Goes

I love the early Verve work (Storm In Heaven and A Northern Soul). Vast echoic beauty and

powerful soundscapes and imagery with incredible stage presence and an otherworldly melodic resonance and beauty. There are so many amazing songs on these first two albums!

2. The Velvet Underground - What Goes On

My favourite band of all time for their ground breaking music and sonic bravery. This song is incredible with it’s dirty groove ridden power. The Velvets changed how I thought about music and whilst I wasn’t so captivated by their lyrical approaches I was enthralled by their unique sounds.

3. Van Morrison - TB Sheets

For a song written about a friend of Van’s who sadly was so ill with tuberculosis this song is incredibly groovy and Van’s sadness about his friend’s illness really comes through in the intent behind his vocal performance here. I grew up on Van’s work and my father used to play with Van when they lived in Hyndford Street in Belfast. Van has written so many incredible songs!

4. This Mortal Coil - Song To The Siren

I remember listening to this song when I lived with my family in Bangor Co. Down, N.Ireland in our front living room and feeling ecstatic and transported in those moments. Liz Frasers voice is profoundly beautiful and the melody and lyrics by Tim Buckley are so beautiful!

5. My Bloody Valentine - Come In Alone

I remember countless times basking in the sonic emotion, beauty, noise and sheer awe of this song and the genius record it is from! I remember one particular day at home up in my bedroom when I was lying head between speakers and one of my parents came in exclaiming, "Paul what are you doing? That sounds like a tape that is not playing at the right speed!" It was a wonderful moment and to this day this song gives me

the most powerful and beautiful chills up my back! A sacred experience! Loveless remains one of my favourite albums of all time but I feel personally that this album is not only music it is something “other” also and it sounds new, as though it is my first time listening every time I

listen?! A song I’d like played when I leave this earth.

Watch Paul Archer 'No Fear'

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