If you have ever had anything to do with the South Coast live music scene, you will no doubt be familiar with a name the keeps coming up; that of Chris Payn, a unique flamboyant artist whose performances with his various bands and solo gigs have been wowing audiences for over 10 years. Previously he could be found playing in bands Colt 45, Bad Magic, Mischa and his Merry Men, and Hightown Parade, as well as gigs with his Father Matt Black and solo shows. Chris has recently made a decision to go it alone and his new solo single “Talk is Cheap” has been released with him taking full control; playing on everything on the track guitar, piano, synths, bass, programming all drums/percussion, singing backing vocals and lead vocals, as well as producing, recording and mixing the track.
Chris explains “Talk Is Cheap is a song I wrote while stranded in a basic cabin on the edge of a cliff in Cornwall during lockdown 2020. At the time there were a lot of people getting spun-up about what was going on in the world with the Covid virus. A lot of lies and assumptions were/are being spread that people were/are taking as truth which really didn’t/doesn’t help the situation, so I felt the need to create this song as a message to the masses to not take what you read on the internet (or through any media) too seriously, a lot of it is cheap talk. The message applies to any time or situation where people don’t necessarily talk to you honestly”.
The single was launched at one of Chris’s favourite pubs the Three Compasses in Charminster, Dorchester. The award-winning establishment who wholeheartedly support grass-roots music is a regular stop on musicians gigging cycles, especially Chris who has played there many times – the landlord is a big fan!!
The venue was also the ideal place for a video for the single to be shot. The video which can be seen below was shot and directed by Adam Nightingale, featuring a host of familiar local faces and ends hilariously in a bar brawl. The video was premiered at the launch night in front of a packed crowd, Chris who relishes such occasions brought much pomp and spectacle to the evening. He performed a great set featuring many highlights with special guests including his Uncle David Payne on piano and accomplished guitarist Brett Smith-Daniels joining in on guitar.
The single was of course performed and the audience were treated to a fine stripped down acoustic version of the track. The song takes influence from a host of big notable influences, it features Rock Star swagger and huge confidence. With powerful sweet sounding vocals coupled with melodious instrumentation, Chris shows he’s a very capable all-rounder who more than deserves to be performing on much larger stages. If there is any justice in the world he will be soon…..
“Talk is Cheap” is out now!!
Links
https://www.facebook.com/ChrisPaynOfficial
https://www.instagram.com/thatchrispayn
Article By David Chinery (Chinners)
Love this review
Chris is a Legend x
So agree ive heard chris play for over 10 years and he deserves to have such larger venues he is an amazing tallented Artist
I have seen Chris playing since he was 13/14 years old. He is super talented, can play many instruments and is an amazing vocalist. He absolutely owns the stage and deserves to be a very successful artist.