W: Theo Thompson

In a tucked corner of the Railway Tavern, I sat down with Paul Shine, the enigmatic frontman of Dead Writers. With the accompaniment of a delicious IPA, he took me through a journey that intertwined music, art and introspection, offering a glimpse into the mind of a man whose passions run deep. Paul, lead singer, songwriter and visionary behind the band, exudes a quiet confidence. One born not from success alone but from a genuine love for his craft.

From his earliest memories, music was a constant in Paul's life. “I used to pretend a frying pan was my guitar,” he laughs, recounting his childhood attempts at rock stardom. But it was hearing Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody that changed everything. "It was a turning point," he says, reflecting on the way the band’s music captured his imagination. “It’s full scope music, rich and original.”

While his early classical piano training laid the foundation for his understanding of music theory, it was rock music that truly ignited his creativity. As a teenager, he delved into the sounds of The Beatles, The Doors and Sting. Along the way, he discovered a talent for song writing, drawing inspiration from the likes of Leonard Cohen and Bob Dylan. However, his path wasn’t linear. Paul began studying English literature but soon realised music was his true passion. "It always pulled me back," he says. Despite leaving university, his love for language, literature and philosophy remained central to his song writing and artistry. "I also write poetry," he adds, drawing inspiration from writers like Rimbaud, Dostoyevsky and Hermann Hesse, who continue to influence his work.

Relocating to London wasn’t without its challenges. "I had no idea what it took to make a record," Paul confesses. But through perseverance and a few detours, he began to carve out his artistic voice. This journey eventually led to the formation of Dead Writers, a band whose darkly romantic aura has captured the imagination of London’s independent music scene. "When people tell us they can’t place us in a specific genre, I think, Good. We’re doing it right. It means we’re creating something original."

Paul’s approach to music is as universal as his influences. “I like to introduce unexpected instrumentation; bells, flute and even recording whispered fragments from books to create a vocal effect but also infuse the spirit of a text into a music track,” he explains. His process is intuitive, layering sound in ways that evoke emotion and atmosphere. “Music is a visual language for me. Each song is a canvas.”

Beyond music, Paul is deeply involved in the visual identity of Dead Writers, designing cover art and directing mood boards for their videos. "I’m a visual collector," he says, describing how he gathers inspiration from everything he encounters. His creative process is as much about curation as it is about creation, blending his artistic passions into a cohesive whole.

Yet, with all the accolades and attention Dead Writers have received, from Nick Cave’s praise to their rising profile in the press, Paul remains grounded. “You can’t calculate music,” he insists. “First, it has to touch you. If it surprises you, then maybe it can move someone else.” This humility reflects his philosophy on creativity: that art, like life, is a collage of influences, shaped by experience and reflection. "Your brain is your own private garden," he says thoughtfully. "The more seeds you plant and water, the more colourful it becomes."

Despite the accolades, Paul isn’t preoccupied with legacy. "I’m too young for that," he jokes, though he recognises the importance of making an impact. "What matters to me is leaving a mark on someone’s heart after a gig. That’s the most rewarding part." For Paul, music and art are about more than success; they represent spiritual freedom, a vehicle for creating his own future self, especially being someone who grew up with a lot of repression.

As our conversation winds down, it’s clear that Paul Shine isn’t just a frontman. He’s an artist; one who embraces vulnerability, evolution and the unpredictable nature of creativity. His journey with Dead Writers is just beginning, and as he puts it, "The best is yet to come."

With their upcoming single "Meet The Shadow" and a UK tour on the horizon, Dead Writers continue to build a devoted following. Paul's relentless pursuit of authenticity, both in music and in life, ensures that the band’s story will only grow more compelling with time. "I’m proud," he says, "but I’m never satisfied."