Paul Bradford's earliest musical influences were Elvis Presley and The Beatles. Not a bad start. But he expanded his search for cool and interesting music his whole life, and it shows in his music. Just as you can't pigeonhole his tastes in music, nor can you label his artistic style. There are traces of rock, blues, Americana, Irish, classical, and folk all interwoven throughout his songs.
The fact Paul was born in New York City, certainly didn't hurt his appreciation and appetite for different kinds of music from all over the globe. Irish music, Latin, very early Tamla/Motown, and even "Country and Western" music shaped his young musical life right alongside rock n' roll and pop. He lived in the Bronx until he was 13, when his family moved to New Jersey, and where he still lives today.
After some years in bands and a stint at writing commercial jingles, Paul retreated down to what he calls his "bat cave". There, he writes, plays, and produces his music. He has a guest on a song now and then, like his musical buddy Rick Lasso, but for the most part Paul plays all the instruments and sings all the vocals.
He has lived in Ocean County New Jersey (home of Bruce Springsteen) for the last 24 years.
He plays an occasional live show, but is very content with writing and recording his original songs.
Paul has once said about songwriting; "All I ever wanted to do my whole life since I was a kid, was to write a popular song. Ever since I realized that it was possible to write your own songs, I have been obsessed, enthralled, and driven to write songs. But it must be natural, and not a forced thing. Only when the songs demand it. A song must demand its existence. All my songs insisted on being written. There was no other choice."
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