Born on September 4: Paul Haig and his Scottish postcards

Born in Edinburgh in 1960, Paul Haig seems to have always preferred a certain discretion to the limelight. And yet, what a composer he was. Demanding, disconcerting, but fascinating!
 
He is certainly the champion of an English pop style that is at once minimalist, often 80s-vintage electro, demanding, and sometimes almost funky, but he is also a literary enthusiast. While the reference may have gone far over the heads of his fans, he nevertheless dared to call his first band Josef K (1979-1982) in reference to Kafka's hero in "The Trial." Edwyn Collins, his co-religionist at the Scottish micro-label Postcard, opted for the more prosaic Orange Juice!

After Josef K disbanded, Paul Haig opted for a less obscure name that was also more in line with his new musical aspirations. Finding refuge in Brussels with Disques du Crépuscule, he first recorded as Rhythm Of Life in 1983, a name that perfectly suits this collection of songs produced by Alex Sadkin (Grace Jones and Thompson Twins). Despite the presence of Tom Bailey (leader of the aforementioned Twins), Bernie Worrell (Parliament), and Anton Fier (The Feelies), as well as catchy tracks (for the time) like "Heaven Sent," "Never Give Up (Party Party)," and especially "Blue For You," success never really came. "I had no intention of being the center of attention. I saw Rhythm of Life more as a collective around which guests would be added. But Island (who distributed the album internationally) wanted a pop image, which I didn't give them!" he analysed in hindsight.

In the years that followed, Paul Haig gave the impression of being content with the second division. He continued to call upon musicians he respected, such as Bernard Sumner (New Order) for the obviously inspired "The Only Truth," Alan Rankine, and Billy McKenzie (Associates) or Donald Johnson (A Certain Ratio), but commercial success is no longer a goal in itself. If only it were...

In 1991, a collection of "imaginary film scores," "Cinématique" highlights a growing interest in instrumentals and a form of experimentation in the field. "Kube" in 2013 would add another stone to this edifice.

(MH with Stéphane Soupart - Photo : Etienne Tordoir)

Photo: Paul Haig with Rhythm Of Life on the set of the TV show "Génération 80" in Brussels (Belgium) in February 1982