Paul Hartnoll
Paul Hartnoll grew up in Dartford, Kent, listening to punk, electro, and early hip-hop. In 1987 Paul and his brother Phil started recording with keyboards, a beat box, and a four-track under the name Orbital.
From these humble beginnings they went on to produce numerous infectious and sometimes chart-topping dance tunes, several classic albums, and a variety of film and TV scores. They were also widely acknowledged as one of the best and most exciting electronic acts on the live circuit.
After a 15-year journey, Paul is now working solo.
Thanks for taking the time to have a chat with us. Can you introduce yourself?
I'm Paul Hartnoll. I used to be half of Orbital but now I'm doing music under my own name. I've just finished my first solo LP and am about to start various TV and film commissions which should take up the rest of the year.
I got into writing music since I was about 13 when I got my first guitar. I'd been messing about with pianos and organs before that but I started in earnest when I got my guitar and tried to start a punk band modelled on then bands Crass and the Dead Kennedys with my friends from the village I grew up in.
What projects have you used Cameleon on, and what do you like about it?
I've used the Cameleon 5000 on my new LP, mostly for pad-ish atmospherics and weird special lead sounds. I love putting voices into it and morphing them together - you never know where its going but you always end up somewhere good (well, nearly!).
It's great to finally have an additive synth that can analyze audio simply and quickly, and with such amazing results. It always surprises me how musical the analyzed audio becomes - very silvery and smooth. Almost plastic, if you know what I mean.
I've heard quite a few Orbital live sets, and in my eyes you set the standard for playing live electronic dance music which responds to the audience. What was your basic working method and why do you think it worked so well? (E.G. did you have a load of loops which you faded in/out, or did you play many parts in live?)
As Orbital, we used to play loops from MMT8 sequencers and various drum machines, 303s etc. We just used to start with a set list and then play the songs roughly how we liked them but tailoring each show to the audience mood.
You were involved in the birth of Acid House music and the free party scene – do you think there is anything as exciting going on now? (I'd be interested to hear about what new music you are most excited about at the moment.)
I hear there is a new free party scene going on in the woods all over the place but I don’t go to those sort of things any more... ;) I think it's always a good thing for young people to take entertainment into their own hands!
Music that I find interesting at the moment:
The Books are great, a sort of folksy, electronic cut up Laurie Anderson sort of band. I love Brian Eno’s latest LP. Severed Heads just did a film score which is great: 'The Illustrated Family Doctor'. They were always a big influence on the early Orbital sound. I'm into songs at the moment, so I’ve been listening to Belle and Sebastian, The Flaming Lips, The Divine Comedy', oh and I love the new Kate Bush LP.
What are your plans coming up for the next year?
Next year I plan to take the new LP out live. How and where I have no idea yet, but I'll keep you posted!
