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Terra Relicta web magazine and prolific Irish alternative/gothic rock artist pMad are back in tandem and, this time, proudly premiering the "Sisters" video. Guitar-driven gothic rock track with drilling post-punk energy and pMad's characteristic linear dreamy vocals is the latest pMad's offer, self-released on 31 August. Even though the track is mainly based on one rhythmic pattern, it is still pretty rich in atmosphere and dynamics. The pathos nicely builds up to the heavier part, perhaps the heaviest pMad ever did. And, last but not least, its connotation. Mourning, missing, memories,... And love that lives on even after the loved ones are forever gone.
pMad's "Sisters" video is another commendable offering of a kind. So far, all of pMad's videos were deliberate well-knit and professionally executed. Yet, the "Sisters" video is somehow special; perhaps because it is further personal - not only to Paul. It could be to all of us; we all have loved ones who departed, this way or another.
So, here we are for the official premiere of the video of pMad's new single "Sisters" - let's catch up with Paul.
Terra Relicta: Hello Paul, by now, we already know or, at least, anticipate the background of "Sisters", yet tell us in your words; and why precisely "Sisters"?
Paul: Truly, the song could have been called "Sisters", "Brothers", "Fathers", "Mothers", or after anyone that has passed away too soon but influenced you so much with their lives. The word "sisters" is not mentioned in the song, but I dedicated it to the influence of my youngest sister Keira who just dropped dead one day. So suddenly that it left us all in shock; granted, my father did the same thing at a young age..., so I best watch myself.
Of course, my father influenced me hugely in my life, like my cousin, uncles and aunts, and I can hear myself saying things now that they used to say, and it just brings back the memories of them and the influence they had on making me the person I am today.
Both Keira and my father were two amazing people in my life, like people that the reader feels for the people they have lost in their lives. That is how I feel - we remember them and how they are still with us. The world will spin with or without us; I plan to hang around a bit longer, sorry folks!
Keira and my father always saw the good in people no matter what! It was amazing to me to watch and see and hold my tongue sometimes, and now I try my best to follow suit, though not easy all the time. If you have nothing good to say, say nothing was a big thing in our house, and it took me a while to learn and practice it... sorry to all those before now.
I am not a great wone for graveyards, though I do like the goth side of things; I feel I remember them better in my actions and words. Keira always said of people that were mean or rude to her, when I would be saying, why would you take that from them, but she would say, "no, you don't know what is going on in their lives right now, and they are only taking it out on you, God knows what problems they have, so let it go". And my father was no different; it would kill him to fall out with people, no matter what.
So, I try to bring that into my life, and that is how I remember them, and that is how I know they are with me, as I feel a stern look at me when I don't. None of us is getting out of this world alive, and I see it only fitting for me to live the life I want and what makes me happy, and the lessons I have learned from Keira and Dad are making my life a lot more enjoyable.
They were far from perfect, like me, and no one is perfect, but if we could "a la carte" the good things from the best people we knew, it will make us better people in general.
Terra Relicta: As said, the video for "Sisters" is another pMad's commendable offering of a kind...
Paul: I have also loved a great video to match and tell a story; it could be the MTV kid in me. This video, more than any of the others, needed so many revisions, so it didn't end up corny or two out there that the meaning got lost. It is always a balancing act to get the feel of the video and the actual song to match. I think I got it fairly correct. To bring in the sadness you feel with the loss of a loved one, the devil and the demons they and we all carry and then the relief of sorts that they are still with us in some spiritual form, as I said earlier, in the way we behave and follow through on their good teachings and lessons.
Keira shows up in the video, and it was hard to pick photos to match the video; I tried to depict an ordinary girl that was a wonderful influence on all she knew. We, too, can all be that influence if we try and, hopefully, when I and we all do eventually pass, people will say they were glad to know me! Life has a funny way of kicking you in the ass, be careful what you wish for, for it just might come through.
I hope people get the idea behind the video and take the four minutes to sit and reflect on those they have loved and who have passed. It is all we can do to remember and thank them. We all have one, two or lots of people we sorely miss - no one is immune to it! Sit and reflect and say a little thank you to them.
Terra Relicta: So, what comes next with pMad?
Paul: It is funny, alright, the build-up to the release, then the release and then so suddenly people are asking what is next. It is a bit of a hamster wheel. "Broken" and "Horror" were hugely successful - I was overwhelmed with the great support from everyone. Just brilliant. I had an amazing summer - in all fairness, I took things easy and put another plan in place.
So I got eight new tunes recorded for the singles and album for 2023, I In Power. The tracks are in the final stages and will be released - over time - in 2023. Great tunes again, bringing a different side to pMad and songs I most enjoy! To me, that is the first thing to get right.
In the more immediate future is the release of my debut album, Who Why Where What, on CD and digitally. All is in place, hopefully, for a release date of 11 November, to coincide with the release of the final single for 2022, "Except Me", which is another departure for pMad to a different pace and looking thoroughly inside and not liking what I see. "Horror" surprised many people, and I was surprised by its amazing success; it just struck a vein with people, "Except Me" will possibly knock people back, too - some people will get it. I really like the tune, but like all of pMad, not for everyone!
The pre-order of the album Who Why Where What will be up near the end of the month on Bandcamp. Hoping people will enjoy it, that is all you can do, Hope. As with the motto of pMad, Hope is Medicine.
Thank you so much, Terra Relicta, for the amazing support of pMad from the very start; it has been an amazing year for pMad and me and to have people like you and readers and listeners on my side, there is only one result, success.
Terra Relicta: Thank you too, Paul. It's always a pleasure teaming up with you. So, cheers to further cooperation - soon, according to the debut album release! In the meanwhile, best wishes for you, and, as well, for you, Terra Relicta and pMad's supporters/fans, and welcome to check on (again) on pMad's previous releases: "Horror", "Broken", "Medicine", and "Who Am I"!
pMad links: Official website, Facebook, Bandcamp, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, Linktree
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