Paul Draper

Paul Draper has spent a career moving between the front of a rock band and the control room. Born in Liverpool in 1970, he grew up in Wavertree before his family settled in Deeside, and it was after studying at Wrexham Art College that he formed Mansun, the band he fronted until they split in 2003 while recording a fourth album. Since then he has worked as a singer-songwriter, musician and record producer, and that range runs through the rest of his story.

Mansun's debut, Attack of the Grey Lantern, came out in February 1997 and spent 19 weeks on the UK Albums Chart, reaching number one. Six followed in 1998, peaking at number six, and Little Kix reached number 12 in 2000. In 2006 Draper was diagnosed with cancer during sessions at Rockfield Studios and responded well to chemotherapy. His production credits include "Alone in My Room" by Skin in 2005, and in 2014 the debut single "What Goes Around" by The Anchoress, his duo with Catherine AD, was released. His solo album Spooky Action, out in August 2017, reached 19 in the UK and was nominated for Album of the Year at the Progressive Music Awards. In 2018 he toured the US in support of Steven Wilson.