Paul Fownes is a Derbyshire-based songwriter and multi-instrumentalist who has been writing and recording for over 30 years. Blending melodic songwriting and a mix of indie, pop, rock and punk, his sound has drawn comparisons to Lloyd Cole and classic British guitar pop. Paul first caught national attention in the 1990s when a track received airplay on BBC Radio 1, earning praise from Steve Wright’s producer Richard Easter, who described him as “the saviour of pop (maybe)”. More recently, he returned to the airwaves with support from his local BBC station in 2024, where DJs praised his “jangly indie guitars” and featured him in an extended interview. Currently working as a solo artist — performing and recording all instruments himself — Paul is set to release a new four-to-five track EP this spring, with live festival appearances in the Derby and Nottingham area planned to support the release. About the song: “The bass line arrived first — one of those ideas that hits you out of nowhere. Once the guitars went down, the hook lyric ‘It’s not right if…’ felt instinctive. The song taps into that emotional space of wanting someone to see they’re worth more than the relationship they’re stuck in.” – Paul