Alamein's Torch - A new project from Paul Oakley...

Rich Crosby has been catching up with Paul Oakley and finding out about a new and exciting project called Alamein's Torch. Here's a brief summary of the interview...

Rich: Lots of people have been asking you, 'What are you up to these days?' and, 'When can we expect another Paul Oakley album?'

Paul: I've been busy writing and recording and working on a whole new musical project with a very different feel and objective. I've felt stirred for years that our worship music is like a foreign language to those outside the church. Also, I've grown quite tired of and frustrated by the serious limitations of what has almost become a praise and worship 'genre'. My heart from the word 'go' has always been aware of those on the outside. I've felt challenged for a while to write something that anyone outside of our faith can really identify with, and yet at the same time stir questions and hopefully a hunger for truth and for spiritual reality as well as extend the hope of mercy and restoration.

Rich: Does this feel like a big leap from what you've been doing?

Paul: I think it's a very natural leap and a real response in that surely part of our worship to God is to reach out to those around us. Musically it's been a real growth experience for me. Before it felt like there were strict parameters on what I could write and the form and melody and structure and so on. But now when I started to try writing for this project it was literally like a blank canvas. No rules. No limits. No constraints. But it was almost like I had to learn a new language musically and in the way I wrote lyrics but I've absolutely loved it and feel much more creatively fulfilled by the challenge.

Rich: So when can we expect to hear this new album and where can we get hold of it?

Paul: The CD comes out on Nov 1st, just in time for your Christmas stocking!! But this one won't be in all the Christian bookshops, except for a few that have specifically asked for it. The easiest place to get it will be on online. We will be giving away a free track as a 'taster' just so that people get a chance to hear something of the kind of music it is. If you want to get it (the free download) make sure you put your details in at PaulOakley.com.

Rich: What is the new album called?

Paul: The album is called Alamein's Torch, you'll probably be asking why it's called that but I'd rather leave you guessing for now. We'll be launching a new website soon and you'll be able to get the album there, either as a hard copy (CD) or a download.  If you buy the CD you'll get a couple bonus tracks too. I'm hoping it'll be more readily available from other sources soon too but these are the obvious first places to look.

Rich: Is this a Kingsway project?

Paul: No, this is entirely an independent project and it'll be released on Unafraid Records, which is my own label. I didn't want to 'confuse the market' as this is completely separate from Paul Oakley the 'worship leader'.  Kingsway's products are a resource for the church but this is really for those on the outside.  My hope is that it will find it's own life and it's own place out there alongside any other music on the radio and in the shops. We'll be rehearsing a live show and putting some dates together as soon as we've finished mixing so if you'd like us to come to a 'town near you' please drop me an email! I think people are going to love it.  It's full of energy, and emotion. It's happy, it's sad, it asks all kinds of questions. It has lush musical arrangements with lots of stirring melodies as well as a couple epic tracks that musically took me to a whole new place. My hope is that it really connects with people at a deep level.

Rich: Thanks Paul!

Look out for the debut album from Alamein's Torch, with release scheduled for Nov 2010.