On Thursday, November 21st, drummer Patrick Camilleri and singer Ben Bailey, two-thirds of the blues trio Vinyl Paradise, shared insights into their journey, creative process, and upcoming debut album. The band, completed by bassist Antoine Tonna, is probably the island's only active blues outfit, formed from the remnants of their previous project, The Creepers.
The upcoming self-titled album marks a new chapter for Vinyl Paradise. "These are all new songs," Camilleri confirmed, "apart from those from the Live at Winehouse EP." He explained that while the EP was recorded spontaneously to promote the band internationally, the album had been in the works for over a year. “We booked the recording with David at Temple Studios well in advance because he has quite a waiting list,” he noted.
When it comes to their songwriting process, Vinyl Paradise thrives on collaboration. Bailey often brings initial ideas, but the final compositions emerge from collective effort. “It’s really the three of us who put all the work into each song,” Camilleri explained. The band has a no-nonsense approach to their music. "If a song doesn’t work right away, we drop it. We’ve discarded a lot of ideas,” Bailey added.
Their method often begins with drummer Patrick suggesting a beat, followed by improvisational jamming to develop a structure. Bailey described his role in lyrics creation with a chuckle: “When they take a cigarette break, I stay back and write.”
The decision to self-title the album was deliberate, reflecting the diverse styles within their blues repertoire. "Every song showcases a different corner of blues," Bailey explained. The band avoided creating tracks in the studio that couldn’t be replicated live, keeping the arrangements true to their trio format. “We didn’t want to write a song that would be forgotten because it can’t be played live,” Bailey added.
When asked about their favourite blues styles, the band found it hard to pin down. Camilleri highlighted the excitement of artists like John Mayer and Gary Clark Jr., while Bailey expressed admiration for legends such as Freddie King, Buddy Guy, and Aretha Franklin. “The ferocity of Freddie King and Buddy Guy’s charisma are both inspiring,” Bailey said. Their music also channels the spirit of Motown, a testament to Bailey’s early influences like Tracy Chapman and Eric Clapton.
As Vinyl Paradise prepares to launch their debut album, their sights are set on broader horizons. “We’re focused on promoting the album and reaching out to festivals and venues in the UK and beyond,” Camilleri revealed. With plans for a second album and more gigs in Malta, the band aims to build on their momentum and establish themselves as ambassadors of the blues.
The debut album of Vinyl Paradise promises to be an authentic and dynamic showcase of their sound, signalling a bright future for blues fans on the island and beyond.
Rock Moods featuring Vinyl Paradise (the full interview) can be heard here.
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