- Michael Paynter
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Michael Paynter 
Background information Born 29 January 1986
Melbourne, AustraliaGenres Rock, pop Occupations Singer-songwriter Instruments Guitar/keyboard/drums/vox Years active 2007–present Labels Sony Music Australia Associated acts Tanya Tucker, The Veronicas, Icehouse Website www.michaelpaynter.com/ Michael Paynter (born 29 January 1986), is an Australian singer-songwriter. Paynter has released four singles, "Closer", "A Victim Song", "Love the Fall" and "How Sweet It Is", from his upcoming debut studio album, This Welcome Diversion is set for a release in 2011.
Contents
Early life
Paynter began playing instruments from a young age, playing the piano at the age of seven, and learning guitar and drums by the time he was 15.[1] At the age of 16, he began playing in touring bands across Australia. Regarding music, Paynter says that it "was always something I was going to do, because it fires up my soul like nothing else". He studied law for a year, but returned to music.[2] Although Paynter liked law school and intends to return, he says the choice was either "tour the country and play guitar or study books", and the decision "was a no-brainer". Paynter says that playing drums makes him a better guitarist, playing guitar makes him a better keyboardist, and playing all three makes him a better singer.[3]
Career
"They have big hooks. They are inspiring and powerful yet moving. If there's a thread through my songs, it's my positive spin on life. It's a wonderful experience and you need to have fun even while you're facing up to its challenges to get the best out of it. But if I can get people to pause after each track to think about what I'm singing, then I've done my job." — Paynter regarding the songs on his album, This Welcome Diversion.[1] Critics have praised Michael Paynter's voice, often comparing him to John Farnham. Paynter says the title of his debut album, This Welcome Diversion, was inspired by an advertisement in an in-flight magazine; his music career is a diversion from his original path, law.[3] Paynter wrote or co-wrote all of the tracks on This Welcome Diversion.[1] To record the album, Paynter traveled to Los Angeles, where he worked with producer Matt Wallace and mixer Brian Paturalski.[4] This Welcome Diversion features performances by Josh Freese, Dorian Crozer, David Ryan Harris and John Fields.[1]
The first single, "Closer", was described as "a soaring, hook-filled track about striving for better". Paynter wrote "Closer" in collaboration with Gary Clark, and said that he fell in love with the song instantly. He said that "it works because the chords and rhythms are so simple. It's how people are, in their heads, never where they want to be whether it's a relationship or in a career. They're always wanting to be closer to the ideal." For the album, Paynter underwent a global four month writing session, during which he also worked with Wally Gagel, Phil Buckle and Julian Hamilton of The Presets.[1] The album's second single, "A Victim Song", was released on 15 November 2008 in Australia.[4]
This Welcome Diversion was initially set to be released in 2008, but despite a set release date, was delayed until 2011. After the average performance of singles "Closer" and "A Victim Song", which Paynter felt "didn't have the support of radio or a strong online presence", he and label Sony agreed to delay the album's release. Paynter began touring, serving as a supporting act for Vanessa Amorosi, Newton Faulkner, Seal and The Veronicas on their Revenge Is Sweeter tour.[5] In between tours, Sony (his label), had paid for songwriting trips to London and Los Angeles.[5]
In June 2010, Paynter released the single "Love the Fall", which became the most added song to Australian radio in the first week of July and his first top-20 single on the ARIA Singles Chart. The single features background vocals from The Veronicas, who also appear in the single's music video. The physical release of the single, is a five track EP, which includes the single "Are You Alive?", that was used to promote the final episode of Lost. In July, Paynter returned to Los Angeles to finish his album, with a tentative 2011 release date. Paynter said of his career, "It's been a really blessing for me. I don't think many artists get to make their debut record twice. I think if most artists got the chance to do it again, they'd take it."[5] In October 2010 Paynter supported alternative rock band The Script for their two shows in Australia.[6]
Michael also appeared on the Gypsy Heart Tour with Miley Cyrus as special guest in Australia. He debuted his new single called "How Sweet It Is" on the tour.[7] Michael music video will be out later this month. Michael has also said on his Facebook account that he will be going on tour later this year. "Had an amazing meeting with my agent today about a tour coming up.. Not going to say too much just yet, but there may ALSO be a whole bunch of u18's shows on the cards... PARTY!"
In late September 2011, announcements on Facebook advised that Michael was joining the Icehouse line-up for a tour supporting the band's release of the greatest hits album White Heat: 30 Hits[8][9].
Discography
Studio albums
Year Album details Chart peak
AUSSales Certifications
(sales thresholds)2011 This Welcome Diversion - Released: TBA
- Label: Sony Music
- Formats: CD, digital download
To be released Singles
Year Single Chart peak
AUS
[10]Certifications Album 2008 "Closer" 61 Single only "A Victim Song" 188 2010 "Love the Fall" 19 - AUS: Gold
This Welcome Diversion 2011 "How Sweet It Is" — "—" denotes releases that did not chart. Michael also appeared on CBBC's Prank Patrol Down Under: Magic Guitar which was aired in 2011
References
- ^ a b c d e "Michael Paynter". CNET Networks. MP3.com. http://www.mp3.com.au/Forms/ArtistProfile.aspx?ProfileId=257306. Retrieved 30 June 2008.
- ^ "MTV Gives U the Word - ARIA Chart Show". MTV Australia. http://www.mtv.com.au/features/274/. Retrieved 28 November 2008.[dead link]
- ^ a b Te Koha, Nui (29 June 2008). "Big voice and high ambition". Herald Sun. http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,23931866-5006016,00.html. Retrieved 28 November 2008.[dead link]
- ^ a b "Paynter, Michael/"A Victim Song"". Sanity. http://www.sanity.com.au/product/product.asp?sku=2118785. Retrieved 28 November 2008.[dead link]
- ^ a b c Treuen, Jason (14 July 2010). "The Curious Case Of Michael Paynter". The Music Network. http://www.themusicnetwork.com/music-features/artists/2010/07/14/the-curious-case-of-michael-paynter/. Retrieved 3 August 2010.
- ^ "The Script Announce Australian Tour!". Take 40 Australia. 5 August 2010. http://www.take40.com/news/19814/the-script-announce-australian-tour!-. Retrieved 4 August 2010.
- ^ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1slXmKWHpAI
- ^ Michael Paynter Music, "Michael Paynter to tour with Icehouse!", 22 Sep 2011, retrieved 30 Sep 2011
- ^ Iva Davies/Icehouse - Spellbound, "The Today Show introduced the line up for Icehouse...", 24 Sep 2011, retrieved 30 Sep 2011
- ^ Australian Recording Industry Association http://www.australian-charts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Michael+Paynter
External links
Support Tours Categories:- 1986 births
- Living people
- Australian singer-songwriters
- Australian male singers
- Australian musicians
- Australian Christians
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