Paul Kelly
Published 12th Jul 2006 by Chris Challis

Paul Kelly personifies Australia in the same way that Bruce Springsteen does the United States and The Clash the UK. Tackling big subjects ? love, loss, sex, politics, growing up ? in subtle and original ways, here is a songwriter and performer of maturiry and brilliance. Currently touring the world, he arrives at Komedia on Monday 24 July.

From early on in his career, Paul Kelly was recognised as one of the most significant singer/songwriters in the country. Inspired initially by the likes of Bob Dylan, Hank Williams, Lou Reed and Robert Johnson, Kelly's narrative songwriting style was infused with wry observations, bittersweet emotions and enormous appeal. In the eighties he formed Paul Kelly & The Coloured Girls, which evolved into Paul Kelly & the Messengers during the nineties. Hugely successful in Australia and America, the band supported fellow Antipodeans Crowded House on tour.

Paul Kelly?s solo career has been just as successful: Kelly was named Best Male Artist at the 1997 Australian Record Industry Association (ARIA) awards ceremony, as well as being inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame. As well as issuing an enduring body of work with his own bands, Kelly has co-produced numerous works, and had his songs covered by many artists including Jenny Morris, Bic Runga and Nick Cave.

Paul Kelly visits Komedia on Monday 24 July at 8.30pm. Tickets are ?10 and are available without a booking fee on-line at www.komedia.co.uk/brighton or from the Box Office on 01273 647100.

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