“THERE are things that just don’t come through and things that I’m not able to do in Maximo Park that make me feel free”, says frontman Paul Smith ahead of his solo Glasgow show.

The venue size is not the only significant change for the Newcastle-based musician.

Through his transition from frontman to solo artist, he’s been able to finally pick up the guitar.

Having become known for his impressive onstage jumping, his feet will be firmly on the ground for the run of intimate solo tour dates.

“I don’t play the guitar in Maximo Park so I can just enjoy that aspect of my musical self in my solo stuff.

“There’s an overlap with the pop music and classical music structures which I love”, he explains.

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“When I'm writing, I might not be sure whether it’s a Maximo Park song and I’ll send it to the band and they’ll tell me ‘nope it’s one for you’ or we’ll play through and it doesn’t feel right and I’ll go back to the demo.

“The two processes are quite different because it filters through the other members of the group and it comes out different especially to my ears.”

Now on his fourth solo record, Smith has improved his production, going from admittedly low-fi to what he describes as a ‘smoother and sleeker’ sound.

The 39-year-old has combined pop music and politically charged lyrics to create his best solo project to date.

‘Diagrams’ brings together the melancholy of the first record and pop elements of the third, to create something different to his previous trilogy.

He explains: “This one is a bit more refined heaving learned about more about recording and recording myself over the last few years.

“I’m always writing and I’m a music obsessive so I always feel there is much more to do.”

As well as creating music, Smith is keeping up with the world’s goings-on and filtering them into his lyrics.

First track from the new album ‘The Public Eye’ tackles the Home Office’s “hostile environment” towards immigration that led to the Windrush scandal, while ‘Around And Around’ is about the 24-hour news cycle and Brexit.

“You write the songs that mean something to you and that you feel strongly about and then you try to be objective - which some people in bands don’t do and it feels very forced.

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“I don’t go out specifically to write a political song. For me, the things I feel strongly and passionately about have always been the top of the songs I’ve written. I don’t really differentiate.

“On the last Maximo Park record, because of the political situation in Britain, I thought 'let’s make it a little bit more overt and explicit' as to where we stand because there’s so much ambiguity and so-called 'fake news' out there it felt like it was time to be clear about stuff.

“Whereas on the new record, the political stuff ends up being intertwined with other things.

“The song ‘Around and Around’ is a good example because it’s a breezy pop song on the surface but hopefully the lyrics hint at a darker undercurrent in our country.

“Those things will always filter in. I can’t not do it – I feel like I would be hiding something you want to get out there.”

Luckily for Smith and his band, audiences have always been supportive of their political stance.

He adds: “Our records are very questioning and challenging, even though there’s a lot of other things swirling around. You can be chewing on lots of different topics which can be overwhelming. It’s an interesting place that we’re in.

“We’ve always done quite thoughtful music even though it’s upbeat and in your face, it’s always been reflective and the lyrics have always been as important as the risks.”

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More than a decade on from the release of Maximo Park’s Mercury Prize nominated debut album, ‘A Certain Trigger’, Smith has held on to his passion for creating "soul music" and retaining the same creative spark that helped him create the album and its six follow-ups.

“There’s inspiration to be found every day and that’s my job. I think bands and artists rest on their laurels a little bit and as a music fan I’m kind of aware of that.

“You’ve got to try and retain that spark, I don’t want it to be too refined so that the soul is sucked out of it.”

In a step away from the bigger venues, Smith will be performing his solo creations at Glasgow’s The Hug and Pint.

The musician says he is looking forward to the more intimate venue, which he chose in a bid to emulate the artists the acts that have graced the stage previously.

“I’ve never played at The Hug and Pint but I’ve looked at who has played before and thought I would love to be part of that linage”, he adds.

“For the tour, I’ve looked at venues where interesting bands have played and where I would go if I lived in that city.

“I’m lucky to have the option of both kinds of shows. Some of my shows go on for longer than they should because of audience interaction which just wouldn’t happen at a Maximo Park show.”

Although, for fans of the band, it could only be a matter of time before their next live show.

A Dropbox folder has been created for any potential music to be uploaded by the group but, as of right now, it’s empty.

“The thought is there and we’re definitely looking towards recording next year but we’re all doing different things so it’s becoming more difficult to get everyone together in the same room.

“We’re still really good friends. However, the band mutates in the future we’ll always have some kind of output.

“I’d love to have something out by the end of next year.”

  • Paul Smith will play The Hug and Pint tonight.