County: Derry

Decades Active: 2000s, 2010s, 2020s

About Paul Casey

Born in Co. Derry, Northern Ireland, Paul Casey displays an exceptional command of slide guitar and a unique flair for penning striking tunes. His songwriting, guitar playing and distinctive voice are causing quite a stir both sides of the Atlantic and set this Irish talent aside from his contemporaries. Being talked of among New York's new music followers as 'the new cool', a string of critically acclaimed US performances - in particular at the Living Room in New York and the prestigious Starr Hill Music Hall in Charlottesville, Virginia - have resulted in a devoted and dedicated following Stateside.

Comparisons to David Gray and Damien Rice are both an honour and indeed very welcome. In truth, however, Paul Casey is an individual who makes up his own rules and carves his own niche when song-writing and recording. He unravels modern guitar styles with upbeat grooves and samples, while never straying from rootsy rhythms and sounds. Whether fusing infectious riffs with intricate Irish rhythms or drawing on musical snapshots of legendary guitarists, Casey has continued to create a unique and distinctive sound. Paul's radio single 'Something's Gotta Give' - "a brilliant slice of contemporary pop-rock" (Jackie Hayden, Hotpress) - is picking up airplay across Ireland and in the US; world-renowned disc jockey Rodney Bingenheimer has been playing it on Los Angeles' KROQ-FM. Rodney has become famous for bringing the best music to LA, not to mention landing David Bowie a record contract with RCA. On the live scene, Casey is very much at home playing with full band and slide guitar to the fore and draws from the past and present to offer a unique and rare experience. In the past, the unassuming Casey has performed on the same bill with artists such as Van Morrison, the John Butler Trio, Damien Rice and Gemma Hayes.

Casey was a special guest on a 2010 Chris Rea's Still So Far to Go European musical tour and has collaborated with Chris Rea on numerous occasions. In fact his relationship with Rea goes back to his teenage years - when he blagged his way backstage to ask for advice from his guitar hero. Rea advised the young novice, who took everything on board. Three years later Casey gave Rea a demo tape. He was impressed, and invited Paul to London. Thus began years of recording and touring together.