ICMP’s Paul Statham co-writes new Simple Minds single and more

ICMP Songwriting Tutor Paul Statham has written the latest single by Scottish rock legends, Simple Minds. 

The track, 'Your Name in Lights', is one of a number of new releases that Paul is behind including his own project The Dark Flowers and co-writes with collaborators Cleo Lane, Kathleen Schoebel and Daniel Pennie. 

Commenting on the Simple Minds track, Paul said: "I was a fan of the band before they hit the big time, I loved their post-punk mixture of David Bowie and Roxy Music and were always on a par with Magazine for me."

I had a contact who was close with Simple Minds and passed a cassette along of a couple of backing tracks I'd done. Somehow it got to Jim Kerr, this was some time ago. He rang me, said he was going to be in London and within a couple of days we were working together in my studio."

Other ongoing projects include more experimental work with collaborator Daniel Penne, his own album as The Dark Flowers and his teaching at ICMP.

Paul added: "I love the teaching and the students at ICMP now I've become module leader for Commercial Songwriting and Production. I'm still learning but it feels like a great home for me as an educator."

Visit paulstatham.com to find out more.

Here's a round-up of some of the recent and ongoing musical projects David is involved in. 

The Dark Flowers feat David J | 'The Star's Stand In'

With 2014 debut album, 'Radioland', Paul brought together a group of guest vocalists for a collection inspired by Sam Shepard's 'Motel Chronicles'. 

Featuring an all-star cast of Jim Kerr, Peter Murphy, The Anchoress, Shelley Poole, Dot Allison, Kate Havnevik and Helicopter Girl, the album was described by MOJO as 'a perfect album for a lonely winter night' in its review.

A second album is now due for release in 2025 with the latest track to be teased from the record featuring David J from Bauhaus. 

Find out more 

Simple Minds | 'Your Name in Lights'

Paul has co-written the new single with Jim Kerr, Simple Minds frontman. Kerr is also a part of the Dark Flowers Project, and the pair have been writing together for over 10 years including 'Kill Or Cure' from Simple Minds top 10 album 'Big Music'.

The track is taken from the soundtrack to critically acclaimed, career spanning documentary on the band, 'Everything Is Possible'.

Kimberley Park | 'Free At Last'

Kimberley Park is the artist name for a joint project between Paul and songwriting partner Cleo Bayley. Paul's band Peach, alongside fellow producer/writer Pascal Gabriel had signed to Mute Records and had a surprise US top 40 hit with debut release 'On My Own' featuring in the film 'Sliding Doors'.

Cleo had just signed to Paul's publishers Warner Chappell Music and their creative worlds collided in a joint writing session. This music is taken from recordings made over 20 years ago. 

Find out more 

Paul Statham and Daniel Pennie | Object, No Distance – Distance, No Object

Daniel Pennie is an award-winning composer and half of the art-rock visual/musical ensemble Noise in Your Eye. His art background lends a unique perspective to this project which is more ambient and experimental than much of the more commercial music Paul is known for. 

Dan is a fellow educator,  experienced improviser and uses the guitar  as a noise-generator; creating soundscapes through loops, layers and treatments.

Find out more

Kat Moth | 'Sparkling & Bright'

Kat Moth is the alter ego of Berliner Kathleen Schoebel who creates dark alternative/indie folk songs. They weave intriguing and emotionally driven tales, rich in lyrical language with a distinctive vocal with a sound that mixes acoustics with electronica. The song was co-written and produced by Paul.