Paul McLaney, born 1975 in Stockton-on-Tees, England, is a New Zealand-based music composer, poet, singer and guitarist.
The Deep Dark Hole his first book was published in March 2024
Praise for The Deep Dark Hole
“A beauty to behold” - Roger McGough
“lets the light of hope in to illuminate the darkest of places and times” - Elsewhere
His first collection of verse Bookshop Prayers followed hot on the heels in October 2024, a collection of 200 poems for adults of all ages. Inspired by the verse of poets like Roger McGough, Billy Collins, William Blake and Spike Milligan.
These new words started as a way of compiling a body of paternal advice and comfort for his children. They soon evolved into observations and empathy with friends and family. Finally they expanded into that realm of everyone’s normal concerns; everyday poems for everyday use. Friendly verse patiently waiting in a book to have their moments. Some are sillier than others and some are sillier still. Amongst them you will hopefully discover meditations, whimsy, well-meaning advice, doggerel, spells, wordplay and above all, a love of language engaged in a motivation to kindness; rhymes of cheer and good intent…
In a musical career spanning 30 years, Paul McLaney has released a remarkable body of work under various guises; the rock and pop of Gramsci; the acoustic finger-style guitar and lush string arrangements of his solo work ‘EDIN’ ‘Diamond Side’; the ambient and experimental electronica of The Impending Adorations; prog-rock homage (Immram); the piano excursions of ‘The Old Traditions’ with Raashi Malik; the Te Reo song settings of Shakespeare and an ever expanding body of composition for theatre and dance – over 30 productions to date.
Added to this are his collaborations; Anika Moa, SJD, Breaks Co-op, Julia Deans, Concord Dawn, Counterstrike, Fly My Pretties, Jeff Boyle (Jakob), Proteins of Magic, Magik Johnson, Eden Mulholland, Pacific Heights, Rhian Sheehan, Maisey Rika the list goes on and on...