Beautiful South Exclusive - An Interview with Front Man, Paul Heaton (1/3) By Julia Grant

(1/3), (2/3), (3/3).

It's been almost three months now since Hull heroes, The Beautiful South, announced their decision to split up due to "musical similarities". ThisisUll.com caught up with Paul for an exclusive first interview since the news emerged, to find out the story behind the break up of the band, what he's upto now and his plans for the future. You've been co-hosting a radio show on Manchester's All FM, how's that going? I would compare it to when a footballer takes up management. It's enjoyable but nowhere near to the thrill of playing. How did it come about? A friend of mine from the past asked if I'd like to go on his show. We then decided we'd like to have a try at doing a show together.

Does the show get many listeners? I have no idea of how many listeners we get. I suppose that's the fun of it. Laura Cantrell does something similar in a little station in New York, which I listen to.

You play a good variation of different music, how do you think the Beautiful South fans like your taste in music? Although that chapter is closed, it would be nice to think that if I ever did go into DJing, that some people would "come across". Having said that, some of the hip-hop I play is maybe too much of a leap! What's your favourite album at the moment then?

Don't really have a particular, more individual artists; Liz Green , Geoff Martyn , The Anomalies , The Beauty Shop . What was the last album you bought? Andrew Bird's latest album, Armchair Apocrypha. He's everything a solo artist should be!

You played the track "Teachers" by new Hull band, The Talks, a few weeks ago, then put it at number 19 in your monthly top 40 chart - are you a fan then? I'd describe them as promising but I think if you go too far down a particular avenue, genre wise, you can end up frustrated. Do you know of any other current Hull bands? What do you think of them? I don't know many. I like what I've heard of the Dance Bastards and I'm an armchair supporter of The Landaus .

In general, I pop my head into The Adelphi and Paul (Jackson) tells me what's going on. Maybe he's not the one who knows anymore, but I find him a genuine fan of what's new and interesting, which is a pretty generous position to take. What else have you been up to since TBS came to a close? I've spent four months at home, which is the longest time I've spent since 1985. Whilst doing that, I've written lyrics, which is the first time I've written at home in many years. It takes a lot longer but is no less satisfying. How about plans for the future? I'll record the songs as a solo artist, but before then I have to get myself a recording contract, a publishing contract, a mailing address, a website and a manager.

Continued .... Next Page (2/3)

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