Author Archives: Paul Carr

Frank Zappa and Grand Rights – AGAIN!

Posted on April 29, 2016 by Paul Carr

In 2009, I wrote about how the Zappa Family Trust were using Grand Rights as a way of stopping tribute bands playing the music of Frank Zappa. I eventually ended up doing a major research project on this, interviewing loads … Continue reading →

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Why Was Such A Big Thing Made Out of Sting Disguising His Newcastle Past In The Late 197os?

Posted on April 24, 2016 by Paul Carr

I had a really interesting time presenting at Newcastle University last week. We had an interesting debate at the end of my lecture,  which give me some ideas to consider the final  chapter of my book. I am also considering some … Continue reading →

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Sting and the Gravitational Pull of Newcastle

Posted on April 16, 2016 by Paul Carr

Really looking forward to doing a talk at Newcastle University this Wednesday on my forthcoming book on Sting. The lecture is actually taking place in the very place where Sting started his career playing with Last Exit all those years … Continue reading →

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Albums Based on Previous Images

Posted on April 3, 2016 by Paul Carr

I have just sent off an essay to a potential publisher on Matching Mole – the relationship of the band to politics and genre boundaries. As can be seen below, their 2nd album is a direct take on a Chinese propaganda … Continue reading →

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The Heritage of Live Popular Music Making in Merthyr Tydfil 1955 to the Present Day: How Do Musical Memories, Mediated Through Technology, Impact Identity and Nostalgia?

Posted on March 30, 2016 by Paul Carr

The relationship of popular music to memory, identity and nostalgia is now well established in popular music studies, with academics such as Schulkind, Hennis and Rubin (1999) outlining how music, in particular from ones youth, can have strong nostalgic impact … Continue reading →

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Matching Mole, Virtuality, Merthyr Tydfil Music and More

Posted on February 20, 2016 by Paul Carr

I have not blogged for over a month, so I thought I would write a quick post as a catch up of what I have been up to. The year kicked off with the publication of The Handbook of Music … Continue reading →

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Memories of David Bowie

Posted on January 17, 2016 by Paul Carr

Hi was asked to write a short piece on David Bowie this week for Wales Arts review. I have copied the first half of the short essay below, but to read the rest, and many other tributes, click here. David … Continue reading →

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Examples of Student Performance Work

Posted on January 5, 2016 by Paul Carr

As the New Year gets underway – here are some examples of student performance work from the BA Popular Music. Enjoy! More to follow.

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The Links Between Personality and Musical Taste

Posted on November 29, 2015 by Paul Carr

A recent article in The Independent outlined some recent research on why we like certain types of music-stating our likes are clearly linked to our personalities. It stated:  Why does some music bring us to tears while other pieces make us … Continue reading →

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Ways of Thinking About Song Arrangement and Track

Posted on November 23, 2015 by Paul Carr

  I have spent today playing around with some ideas for a new book I am in the early stages of working on. There are a lot of sweeping statements in there at the moment – but this is where … Continue reading →

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