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Paul Mac

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Paul Mac
Refer to caption
Mac at Sydney Harbour in January 2012
Background information
Birth namePaul Francis McDermott
Born(1965-09-17)17 September 1965(age 59)
Sydney, Australia
GenresElectropop,electronica
Occupation(s)Musician, singer-songwriter
Instrument(s)Piano, keyboards,samples
Years active1986–present
LabelsSecond Nature,Volition,Interdance, Prozaac, Shock, Eleven, EMI
Websitepaulmac.au

Paul Francis McDermott(born 17 September 1965), who performs asPaul Mac,is an Australianelectropopmusician, singer-songwriter, producer and music re-mixer. He was classically trained atSydney Conservatorium of Music.Mac has formed various bands including Smash Mac Mac (1986–88),The Lab(1989–1998),Itch-E and Scratch-E(1991–present), Boo Boo Mace & Nutcase (1996–98), andThe Dissociatives(2003–2005). Mac has released two solo albums,3000 Feet High(6 August 2001) andPanic Room(17 October 2005) – both appeared in the top 40 on theARIA Albums Chart.

At theARIA Music Awards of 2002Mac won 'Best Dance Release' for3000 Feet Highand was nominated for 'Best Male Artist' and 'Engineer of the Year'. In June 2001 he released his highest charting single, "Just the Thing",which featured lead vocals by Peta Morris. It reached No. 17 on the ARIA Singles Chart and at theAPRA Music Awards of 2002it won 'Most Performed Dance Work'.

Mac played withSevered Heads.He was also a touring member ofSilverchairas well as recording piano parts for their album,Young Modern(March 2007), having worked with frontmanDaniel JohnsasThe Dissociativespreviously. He has provided remixes for Silverchair,Powderfinger,The Mark of Cain,Grinspoon,The Cruel Sea,INXSandPlacebo.Mac has worked on soundtracks forBaz Luhrmannand on the filmsHead OnandSample People.He was the musical director on the Australian TV show,Good News Week,and composed music forABC-TVincludingThe Afternoon Show,EC Plays Lift Off,Play Schooland TVTV.

Biography

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Mac was born on 17 September 1965.[1][2]He is the youngest of seven children and grew up in a strict Catholic family in Sydney.[2]As a teenager Mac played hymns on the organ at his local church, including for weddings and funerals.[3]He later described himself as "the worstVirgo,ex-Catholic you've ever met ".[2]He is a classically trained graduate fromSydney Conservatorium of Music,as a Bachelor of Music Education.[2][4]In the mid-1980s he was a member of Smash Mac Mac, which were anart noiseband coveringTalking Headsmaterial – Mac introduced drum machines and electronic elements.[5][6]In 1987 they issued the album,Chapter One: Light on the Silo.[7]In 1989 Mac formed thesynthpop,electronicagroupThe Labin Sydney with Yolanda Podolski on lead vocals, andWarwick Hornby(aka Warwick Factor) on vocals and bass guitar. The group signed withrooArt,which released their two extended plays,Ultra(1992) andTerminal(1993). They moved toBMGand issued their debut album,Labyrinth,in 1997. The group disbanded the following year.

1991–1997: Itch-E and Scratch-E

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In 1991, Mac formed a side-project,Itch-E and Scratch-E,with fellow Sydney-based electronica artist,Andy Rantzenof the group, Pelican Daughters.[5][8]Both provided keyboards and samplers.[8]Itch-E and Scratch-E became their main focus with the success of their debut album,Itch-E Kitch-E Koo(1993), and its related single, "Sweetness and Light"(1994). At theARIA Music Awards of 1995the single won Best Dance Release.[8]During his acceptance speech Mac controversially declared, "We'd like to thank all of Sydney'secstasydealers, without whom this award would not be possible ".[9]One of the sponsors of the ceremony was the National Drug Offensive, which withdrew their support. In 2005, Mac explained that he did not expect to win and so had not prepared a speech.[9]The group often includes Sherriff Lindo for live performances.[8]From 1996 to 1998, Mac and Rantzen also performed as Boo Boo and Mace!, and with Lindo aboard they worked as Boo Boo Mace 'n' Nutcase.[5][8]

1997–2000: work with Silverchair,Paul Mac Presents SnapShotsandI Can't Believe It's Not Rock

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In 1997, Mac remixed the single, "Freak",from Australian post-grunge bandSilverchair's second album,Freak Show.The track was issued in April as a B-side of their second single from that album, "Abuse Me".

In 1998, Mac released a four-track EP,Paul Mac Presents Snapshots,on Interdance Records. It featured guest vocals by Stephen Allkins on "Ooh I Love Your (Disco)",Infusionon "Loco", Phil Smart on "Basic Boom" andAbel El Toroon "All Systems Are Go".[10]Mac again worked with Silverchair'sDaniel Johnsas an alternative rock duo to release a five-track extended play,I Can't Believe It's Not Rock(2000).[5]

2001–2005:3000 Feet High,The Dissociatives andPanic Room

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On 6 August 2001, Mac issued his debut solo album,3000 Feet High,which peaked in the top 30 on theARIA Albums Chart.[11]Australian music journalist,Ed Nimmervoll,felt the album was an "emotional journey" where "[t]hroughout, the dancefloor taunts us like a temptress, determined to lure us into her arms, but we're torn between her charms and the inner us which the dance beats may drown out".[4]The album's second single, "Just the Thing",reached No. 17 on the ARIA Singles Chart and featured lead vocals by Peta Morris.[11]In December 2001 he performed atHomebakeon the Big Top stage. At theAPRA Music Awards of 2002"Just the Thing"won 'Most Performed Dance Work' and was nominated for 'Most Performed Australian Work'.[12][13]In January 2002, and again in 2006, Mac appeared atSplendour in the Grass.At theARIA Music Awards of 2002Mac won 'Best Dance Release' for3000 Feet Highand was nominated for 'Best Male Artist' and 'Engineer of the Year'.[14]

Mac and Johns co-wrote the music forLove Is a Four Letter Word(2001) episode 13, "Split".[15] In mid-2003, the Mac and Johns formed another alternative rock group,The Dissociatives,which issued their debut album of thesame namein April 2004.[16][17]Their first live show was in Hobart in June of that year.[6]Mac explained his motivation, "As music narrows out into increasingly smaller genres, it's important to bring the fun of making music back into play. Not following any predetermined rules and making the most honest beautiful music we could is fun".[6]At theARIA Music Awards of 2004Mac and Johns were nominated for 'Producer of the Year' for the album.[18]

Mac's second album,Panic Room,appeared on 17 October 2005, and reached the top 40.[11]Johns had advised Mac to "follow your dreams regardless of what outside fashion is saying you should be doing".[19]Vocals are variously supplied by Morris,Sarah McLeod,Luke Steele,Abby Dobson(ex-Leonardo's Bride),Lenka,andNgaiire.[19]Mac explained seeing Joseph, on TV in August 2004, "I was watching the episode of [Australian Idol] when she got kicked out and I thought 'who is this girl, she is fantastic'... I tracked her down and gave her a call. It turned out great. I am just really happy with the whole album ".[20]For Silverchair's 2007 album,Young Modern,Mac supplied piano and toured with the group providing keyboards and piano on stage.[21]

2008–2014: soundtracks, remixes and touring

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In 2008, Mac provided the music for a one-man comedy play,Possessed,performed byFrank Woodley.[22]In March that year, he supplied the theme song, "The Only One" for the feature film,Hey, Hey, It's Esther Blueburger,with three versions on the soundtrack: one had vocals byBertie Blackman,another by Sydney Children's Choir and one was an instrumental.[23]He formed a production duo, Stereogamous, with Jonny Seymour (aka DJ Seymour Butz), in 2010 they worked onLCD Soundsystem's single, "I Can Change", from their album,This Is Happening.[24][25]They have also remixed "Cupid Boy" forKylie Minogueand "Bring Night" forSia.[24]In 2011 they worked onGeorge Michael's track, "Every Other Lover in the World".[24]Mac co-wrote "I Don't Care What You Say" with its performerAnthony Calleaand Cindy Ryan (ofStella One Eleven); it was released in February 2012 by Callea on his seven-track EP,Last to Go,which was co-produced by Mac.[26]On 6 September, the feature film,Kath & Kimderella,premiered with Mac's musical score.[27]He also has a cameo in the final scene.

2015–present:Holiday From MeandMesmerism

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On 22 January 2015, Mac announced the forthcoming release of his third studio album, titledHoliday From Me.It will featureMegan Washington,Brendan Maclean,Dave Mason and Nathan Hudson on vocals.[28]

In February 2019, Mac released a new single titled "Cataplexy" and confirmed a new album is coming soon.[29]In April, Mac confirmed the album is titledMesmerismand will be released on 3 May 2019.

Academic career

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Decades after completing his earlier music degree, Mac returned to his alma mater, Sydney Conservatorium of Music, for postgraduate study. In 2021, he graduated with a Doctor of Musical Arts qualification in composition, based on fusing electronic dance music traditions with experimental practice. As at 2022, he holds an academic staff role at the Conservatorium, teaching Contemporary Music Practice courses within its Bachelor of Music programme.[30]

Personal life

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In October 2004, Mac was living inErskineville.[31]Mac is openly gay; in 2007, he reminisced about his first attendance at Sydney'sMardi Grasin the 1980s: "I can't remember who the act even was – it was a long time ago... I wasn't really out – actually, I wasn't out at all. I just ended up at the party and I remember realising that there was this whole world out there that I felt really proud to be a part of. There was such a sense of wonder".[32]

Discography

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Studio albums

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List of studio albums, with selected chart positions and certifications
Title Album details Peak chart positions Certifications
AUS
[33]
3000 Feet High 29
Panic Room
  • Released: 17 October 2005
  • Label: Eleven: A Music Company
  • Formats: CD
39
Holiday From Me
  • Released: 10 April 2015
  • Label: Eleven: A Music Company
  • Formats: CD, digital download
Mesmerism
  • Released: 3 May 2019[35]
  • Label: Here to Hell
  • Formats: Digital download, streaming

Extended plays

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List of extended plays
Title EP details
Paul Mac Presents Snapshots
  • Released: 1998
  • Label: Interdance
  • Format: CD

Singles

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List of singles, with selected chart positions and certifications
Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album
AUS
[33]
"Heatseeking Pleasure Machine"
(featuringTex Perkins)
2001 3000 Feet High
"Just the Thing"
(featuring Peta Morris)
17
"The Sound of Breaking Up"
(featuring Peta Morris)
25
"Gonna Miss You"
(featuringAbby Dobson)
2002 62
"Stay"
(featuring Jacqui Hunt)
79
"Sunshine Eyes"
(featuring Peta Morris)
2005 27 Panic Room
"Love Declaration"
(featuringAaradhna)
2006 39
"It's Not Me, It's You"
(featuringNgaiire)
"The Only One"
(featuringBertie Blackman)
2008 95 Hey, Hey, It's Esther Blueburgersoundtrack
"State of War" 2015 Holiday from Me
"The Currawong Shall Return"
(withAndy Rantzen)
[37]
2018 non-album single
"Cataplexy"[38] 2019 Mesmerism
"Flamenco"[39]

Production work and other credits

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Awards

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ARIA Awards

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PaulMac has won one award from sevenARIA Music Awardsnominations.

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2001 "Just the Thing" Best Dance Release Nominated
Best Male Artist Nominated
2001 3000 Feet High Best Dance Release Won
Best Male Artist Nominated
Engineer of the Year Nominated
2004 PaulMac withDaniel JohnsforThe Dissociatives Producer of the Year Nominated
2006 Panic Room Best Dance Release Nominated

APRA Awards

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TheAPRA Awardsare held in Australia and New Zealand by theAustralasian Performing Right Associationto recognise songwriting skills, sales and airplay performance by its members annually. PaulMac has won one award from four nominations.

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2002 "Just the Thing" Most Performed Australian Work Nominated
Most Performed Dance Work Won
"The Sound of Breaking Up" Nominated
2006 "Sunshine Eyes" Most Performed Dance Work Nominated

References

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General
  • McFarlane, Ian(1999)."Whammo Homepage".Encyclopedia of Australian Rock and Pop.St Leonards, NSW:Allen & Unwin.ISBN1-86508-072-1.Archived fromthe originalon 5 April 2004.Retrieved10 April2012.Note: Archived [on-line] copy has limited functionality.
Specific
  1. ^"'Sunshine Eyes' at APRA search engine ".Australasian Performing Right Association(APRA).Retrieved5 May2010.
  2. ^abcdBrandle, Lars (16 July 2010)."Paul Mac: Return of the Mac".The Music Network (Peer Group Media). Archived fromthe originalon 8 July 2012.Retrieved14 September2012.
  3. ^Mac, Paul."Mac, Paul".Trove.National Library of Australia.Retrieved14 September2012.
  4. ^abNimmervoll, Ed(20 August 2001)."Paulmac –3000 Feet High".Howlspace. White Room Electronic Publishing Pty Ltd. Archived fromthe originalon 26 July 2012.Retrieved22 January2014.
  5. ^abcdMcGregor, Paul."About Paul Mac".Archived fromthe originalon 1 January 2015.Retrieved16 September2012.
  6. ^abcZuel, Bernard (18 June 2004)."Two Men and a Baby".The Sydney Morning Herald.Retrieved16 September2012.
  7. ^Kingsmill, Richard(22 November 2001)."Music Specials: Paul Mac".Triple J.Australian Broadcasting Corporation(ABC).Retrieved16 September2012.
  8. ^abcdeMcFarlane,'Itch-E & Scratch-E'entry. Archived fromthe originalon 30 September 2004. Retrieved 14 September 2012.
  9. ^abJenkins, Jeff;Meldrum, Ian(2007).Molly Meldrum Presents 50 Years of Rock in Australia.Melbourne, Vic:Wilkinson Publishing. p. 230.ISBN978-1-921332-11-1.
  10. ^Paul Mac Presents Snapshots(Media notes). Paul Mac. Interdance Records. 1998. ID 008.{{cite AV media notes}}:CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  11. ^abcHung, Steffen."Discography Paul Mac".Australian Charts Portal. Hung Medien (Steffen Hung).Retrieved14 September2012.
  12. ^"Nominations 2002".Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA).Retrieved14 September2012.
  13. ^"2002 Winners – APRA Music Awards".Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA).Retrieved14 September2012.
  14. ^"ARIA Awards – History: Winners by Year 2002: 16th Annual ARIA Awards".Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Archived fromthe originalon 11 December 2011.Retrieved16 September2012.
  15. ^Zuk, Tim (24 April 2001)."Love Is a Four Letter Word:Episode Guide: 'Split' Episode 13 ".Australian Television Information Archive.Retrieved16 September2012.
  16. ^Richard, Kingsmill(29 November 2000)."Daniel Johns of Silverchair Speaks to Richard Kingsmill".Triple J.Australian Broadcasting Corporation(ABC). Archived fromthe originalon 29 January 2009.Retrieved14 September2012.
  17. ^"The Dissociatives".Triple J. Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC). 2 April 2004. Archived fromthe originalon 30 October 2011.Retrieved12 September2012.
  18. ^"ARIA Awards – History: Winners by Year 2004: 18th Annual ARIA Awards".Australian Recording Industry Association(ARIA).Retrieved15 September2012.
  19. ^abMurfett, Andrew (14 November 2005)."The Paul Mac Experience".The Sydney Morning Herald.Retrieved14 September2012.
  20. ^"Paul Mac Hates Celebrity Status".The Sydney Morning Herald.Australian Associated Press(AAP). 23 November 2005.Retrieved14 September2012.
  21. ^"Paul Mac > Credits".AllMusic.Archived fromthe originalon 25 May 2024.Retrieved16 September2012.
  22. ^Roberts, Jo (20 February 2008)."Whatever Possessed Them..."The Age.Retrieved15 September2012.
  23. ^"Hey Hey It's Esther Blueburger"(PDF)(Press release). Tama Films Production. 20 March 2008. Archived fromthe original(PDF)on 22 October 2009.Retrieved16 September2012.
  24. ^abcCashmere, Paul(31 March 2011)."George Michael Records New Song with Paul Mac".Undercover (Paul Cashmere, Ros O'Gorman).Retrieved15 September2012.
  25. ^"Stereogamous Remix LCD".The Music Network (Peer Group Media). 18 June 2010. Archived fromthe originalon 3 March 2011.Retrieved15 September2012.
  26. ^Cashmere, Paul (5 March 2012)."Anthony Callea Works with Paul Mac on New EP".Noise11 (Paul Cashmere, Ros O'Gorman).Retrieved15 September2012.
  27. ^Lehman, Megan (6 September 2012)."Kath & Kimderella:Film Review ".The Hollywood Reporter.Lynne Segall (Prometheus Global Media).Retrieved16 September2012.
  28. ^"Paul Mac Unveils New Album Details".themusic.au. 22 January 2015.Retrieved22 January2015.
  29. ^"Paul Mac's first new single in ages takes us on a beautiful journey".ABC. 18 February 2019.Retrieved25 March2019.
  30. ^"Paul Mac Academic Career".Retrieved15 December2022.
  31. ^Sams, Christine (12 October 2004)."Band on the Run... to the Inner West".The Sydney Morning Herald.Retrieved15 September2012.
  32. ^Taylor, Christian (19 February 2007)."Paul Mac in the Manic Room".SameSame.Sound Alliance.Archived fromthe originalon 19 December 2014.Retrieved15 September2012.
  33. ^abPeaks in Australia:
    • All except noted:"Paul Mac in Australian Charts".Australian Charts.Retrieved24 October2018.
    • Peaks 51–100:Ryan, Gavin (2011).Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010(PDF ed.). Mt Martha, Victoria, Australia: Moonlight Publishing. p. 214.
  34. ^"ARIA Charts - Accreditations - 2002 Albums".ARIA.Retrieved24 October2018.
  35. ^"Mesmerism".iTunes Australia.Retrieved21 April2019.
  36. ^"ARIA Charts - Accreditations - 2001 Singles".ARIA.Retrieved24 October2018.
  37. ^"The Currawong Shall Return - single".iTunes Australia. 17 August 2018.Retrieved19 April2019.
  38. ^"Cataplexy - single".iTunes Australia. 15 February 2019.Retrieved19 April2019.
  39. ^"Flamenco - single".iTunes Australia. 12 April 2019.Retrieved19 April2019.
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