Paul Lyman
When Tim Sheridan describes an artist as “fuckin’ awesome bordering on the supernatural”, it’s the cue for the rest of dance music to stand up and take notice. Such is the case with Paul Lyman whose skills as a DJ and producer are gaining increasing recognition. With releases on Sheridan’s Veryverywrongindeed Recordings and other labels, as well as key DJ bookings, Paul looks set to further enhance his reputation as an exciting talent.
Paul cut his teeth as resident DJ and co-promoter with Blend, one of the most successful house nights in the Midlands which ran for several years in Derby. This gave him the opportunity to play alongside the likes of Pete Tong, Danny Rampling, Yousef, X-Press 2, Justin Robertson and Terry Francis. By 2010 he was playing regularly at Gatecrasher in Nottingham supporting Faithless, Roger Sanchez and Eric Prydz, while he gained international experience with trips to Ibiza, Greece, Tenerife, Poland, Dubai, Thailand, Australia and New Zealand. There were also regular guest mixes on Galaxy FM.
Highlights of 2011 include an extended set before Sasha at Gatecrasher for which Paul received a personal note of appreciation from Sasha himself, and his London debut with the Gallery at the Ministry of Sound. Paul is renowned for his technical skills on three decks, but also for his musical programming and dedication to searching out the finest music which he delivers in an exhilarating style.
The last four years have seen Paul develop his studio skills and since 2009 he has released a steady series of tracks, often in collaboration with Antonio Vendone, which have gained increasing support. Labels include Spinnin’ Records, Dusted Breaks, Pony Play, USB Digital, Hollister Records and MK837, while Paul’s remix of D-Ream’s ‘I’ll Be Your Dog’ came in for particular attention. Major DJ support has come from Sasha, James Lavelle, Paul van Dyk, Plump DJs, Dave Seaman, Groove Armada’s Tom Findlay, Fergie, Elite Force, Alex Dolby, Jim Rivers and Rocky from X-Press 2, while Gallery resident Gavyn Mytchel has regularly played Paul’s music on Ministry of Sound Radio. Excellent reviews have appeared in Mixmag, DJ mag and iDJ magazines, and Paul was the winner of the Raw Talent mix competition in iDJ.
2011 has seen Paul really get into his stride in the studio and develop a sound distinctively his own. This can be best heard in his remixes of UNKLE tracks, ‘The Dog is Black’ and ‘Heaven’, with both vocal and dub versions. It’s this sound that came to the attention of Tim Sheridan and led to the release of ‘Tozer’/‘Witchcraft’ on Veryverywrongindeed to substantial DJ support. The word was out and ‘Quivver’ soon followed by Bloc Beatz Records. Oliver Lang has also snapped up ‘Silent Steps’ and ‘Beehive Beats’, forthcoming on his Dojo Music imprint, which reflect the house side of Paul’s music.
The association with Veryverywrongindeed continues with Paul commissioned to remix high points from the label’s back catalogue including ‘Ghosts that Live in Her’ by Tim Sheridan & King Roc and Deepgroove’s ‘Creeps’. Original productions scheduled for the label include ‘Killer’ and ‘Kraftwork’, as well as ‘Sub Harmonic’ on Black Sheep Trax, ‘Addiction’ for Crossworld Records and several more tracks currently being signed. Paul has also joined the team at Ideal Clubworld Radio and will be presenting a fortnightly show.
It’s all happening, in other words, and as Paul’s studio prowess grows so does the demand for his DJ skills. His style travels through tech house, progressive and techno, but also throws in elements of breakbeat and dubstep. It’s music for the dancefloor, but with a strong underground edge, and reflects Paul’s passion and dedication to electronic dance music.
