Paul Savage - Chem19 Recording Studio Engineer
Engineering Credentials include:
The Delgados, Mogwai, Teenage Fanclub, Arab Strap, The Pastels, Camera Obscura, King Creosote, Shirley Manson and 14 tracks for Ballads of the Book CD including Mike Heron, Trash Can Sinatras, Malcolm Middleton, Aereogramme and Vashti Bunyan.Co-Production credits with Dave Fridmann (Flaming Lips, Mercury Rev), Tony Doogan (Belle and Sebastian, Dirty Pretty Things) and Victor Van Vugt (Nick Cave, PJ Harvey, Beth Orton)
Paul confesses that he was first drawn to music by Abba (the blonde one). Playing stacks of his dad's old 45's introduced him to sixties beat groups and Tamla Motown. Despite this grounding his first LP purchase was Journey's Escape which he now blames on peer pressure from his school friends in Rohnert Park, California.
He was introduced to the guitar at the age of 10 by his dad who showed him 3 chords and left him to it. Nothing much happened until back home in Scotland he formed various bands with pals from school (thankfully they had better taste than his California chums). Stewart, Alun and Paul along with Emma (from Uni) were later to become the Delgados.
After an abortive 3 years at Strathclyde University and accepting an ordinary degree in Physics (he's got the photo to prove it) Paul persuaded his dad to continue to subsidise him so he could do a Sound Engineering degree at the School of Audio Engineering in Glasgow.
Armed with this degree he got a job at MCM studios in Hamilton and within 3 weeks became resident sound engineer. "I got the job when the old engineer left to be a Tupperware salesman - no one's heard of him since"
When the Delgados formed in 1993, Paul recorded their early demos in the studio. By the end of 1995 he had recorded debut albums by the Delgados and Arab Strap. At the end of 1997 Chemikal Underground bought MCM and renamed it Chem19 (after the next catalogue number).
Delgados touring commitments took Paul away from the studio but he continued working as the engineer for Chemikal Underground releases. In 2005, after 5 studio albums (one Mercury nominated) and extensive worldwide touring the Delgados decided to disband. Alun and Stewart took on the day-to-day running of the record label and Paul and Emma took on Chem19.
Paul essentially designed the new studio - he wanted natural light and relaxing space - and is immensely proud of what has been achieved. Says Paul
"I've been in lots of studios all over the world as an artist and a producer and I've tried to get the best balance of what an engineer needs and what a band wants."
Paul does not miss performing. He says "I see recording and playing an instrument as the same thing - its' the creative process that I'm really into. It's immensely satisfying to capture what makes a band unique. Nothing is 'correct', there is no 'set way' to play or record. It's the differences and (sometimes) small flaws that make the process and the results unique and more interesting.
"Paul is a good guy to have around; he is very approachable, not forceful and is great to bounce ideas. He 'gets' what the band wants and balances things so that they work. It was great to have an experienced musician doing the engineering. For us he filled the role of producer - exactly what our record needed. Overall he is a good guy to have around"
Dave Macaulay, Terra Diablo
Paul's ability in the recording room is 'freaky'
Alan Barr, (Freelance Cellist)
"Working with Paul has been both a pleasure and an education. He's an absolute top class musician, engineer and producer. He makes my material sound more professional than it used to. A great attitude and quality music: there's not many people like Paul Savage in the music industry"
Hydro, Underdogg Entertainment
"Paul has the ideal mix of technical expertise and experience, bringing a professional and creative approach that would benefit and musical project"
Brian, Couglins Law