Paul Iwan - Returning (Blue)
The winning song from the songwriting challenge at Threshold Festival 2019, 'Returning' is the new single from Liverpool singer songwriter Paul Iwan. Taking its title from the brief of the challenge, the concept of returning was associated with relapse and regression for Paul Iwan, who has suffered from PTSD. The competition pushed him outside of his usual comfort zone, and into a more acoustic setting and letting the song speak for itself. A year later, and Paul Iwan is releasing two versions of his new single 'Returning'. The Red version of Returning is in Paul Iwan's usual style, driven by synths, loops and electric guitars, and the Blue version is stripped back to a simple arrangement.
This stylised and conceptual project is the perfect showcase of Paul Iwan's writing and vocal ability. Paul Iwan explores identity and otherness in his music. Inspired by Gary Numan, Radiohead and Manic Street Preachers, there is a maturity and depth in Paul Iwan's sound. Described as "Impressive, inspired and bold" by Ray Davies (The Kinks), Paul Iwan has put his stamp on the alternative electro sound.
Both Red and Blue versions of 'Returning' will be available on all major streaming platforms on the 3rd April.
lyrics
So I lean into my darkness
I touch the trauma with the tips of my fingers
Under this light how can I see?
The shadows are shifting; inviting me in.
You are there
You are there
Suffocating and suffering
I hold my hands
I'll be watching
I'll be waiting for you
I'm returning to my fear
Its all I know
I know my storm is coming in
Whatever I've taken
You hold my soul my memories
This face in the mirror
The face of my nightmare
Lost and corrupted
I'm returning from a distance
But my reflection is all I see
I'm yearning for the past
The one I thought I'd lost forever
So much pain within
I'm returning to my fear
It's all I know
credits
released April 3, 2020
Written, performed and produced by Paul Iwan at Studio 45 Liverpool
Mixed and mastered by Andy Fernihough at 3rd Planet Studios Liverpool
Paul Iwan - Returning (RED)
The winning song from the songwriting challenge at Threshold Festival 2019, 'Returning' is the new single from Liverpool singer songwriter Paul Iwan. Taking its title from the brief of the challenge, the concept of returning was associated with relapse and regression for Paul Iwan, who has suffered from PTSD. The competition pushed him outside of his usual comfort zone, and into a more acoustic setting and letting the song speak for itself. A year later, and Paul Iwan is releasing two versions of his new single 'Returning'. The Red version of Returning is in Paul Iwan's usual style, driven by synths, loops and electric guitars, and the Blue version is stripped back to a simple arrangement.
This stylised and conceptual project is the perfect showcase of Paul Iwan's writing and vocal ability. Paul Iwan explores identity and otherness in his music. Inspired by Gary Numan, Radiohead and Manic Street Preachers, there is a maturity and depth in Paul Iwan's sound. Described as "Impressive, inspired and bold" by Ray Davies (The Kinks), Paul Iwan has put his stamp on the alternative electro sound.
Both Red and Blue versions of 'Returning' will be available on all major streaming platforms on the 3rd April.
lyrics
So I lean into my darkness
I touch the trauma with the tips of my fingers
Under this light how can I see?
The shadows are shifting; inviting me in.
You are there
You are there
Suffocating and suffering
I hold my hands
I'll be watching
I'll be waiting for you
I'm returning to my fear
Its all I know
I know my storm is coming in
Whatever I've taken
You hold my soul my memories
This face in the mirror
The face of my nightmare
Lost and corrupted
I'm returning from a distance
But my reflection is all I see
I'm yearning for the past
The one I thought I'd lost forever
So much pain within
I'm returning to my fear
It's all I know
credits
released April 3, 2020
Written, performed and produced by Paul Iwan at Studio 45 Liverpool.
Mixed by Andy Fernihough at 3rd Planet Studios Liverpool.
Mastered at Metropolis Studios London by Andy "hippy" Baldwin
RESISTER - Limited edition digipack CD
"Resister has all the hallmarks of a classic album.... Eighties electro with an injection of angst". Louderthanwar.com
Found
Parasite
Work
Progress
Neon
Run
Broken
Resist
Silence
This collection of songs is a document of my mental health journey.
On April 28th 2016 I stopped drinking. No longer able to use alcohol to self-medicate, I started to unravel. The panic attacks began and I was diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (Progress).
Fuuuuck! I can only describe the experience as a spiralling, overwhelming and debilitating feedback loop. I needed help. I got help. Slowly, I began to open up and all the thoughts, fear, emotion and anger I'd locked away, finally found their voice. As I began to process it, I began to write.
I'm still piecing together exactly what happened to me, memories are still elusive at points.
What I do know is this: I was attacked by a gang of teenagers, dragged into a backyard, tied to a post and beaten. Once they were done with me, they threw me over a fence and told me they would kill me if I moved. I was 8 years old.
Finally discovered by my sister, I clung to her, too scared to cry (Found). In hospital, the pressure and overwhelming pain in my head was found to be a brain haemorrhage; years of surgery followed and I lost my right eye (Broken). From then on, things were never the same.
In a community that mistrusted police and the justice system, the attack was never reported and we moved away (Run). Years of insomnia (Work), paranoia (Neon) and fear led me to abuse drugs, alcohol and make two attempts on my life (Parasite).The rage at what they did and the lack of justice has never left me (Resist) but the help I sought is enabling me to move forward (Silence).
RESISTER is my story. Talking about this has helped me. Thank you for listening
credits
released February 23, 2019
Written, performed and produced by Paul Iwan.
Steven Burkert on drums.
Additional guitar on Progress and Neon by Jim Duncan.
Recorded at Studio 45, Liverpool and SPACE Project, Bootle.
Mixed by Andy Fernihough at Crash Studios, Liverpool.
Mastered by Pete Maher.
