Pauli The PSMOn Tour with KeyLab Essential
In the bustling heart of Los Angeles, we followed multifaceted musician, composer, and artist, Pauli the PSM as he embarked on his US tour, diving deep into his creative process. With a career spanning many years and many creative roles, Pauli has carved out a niche for himself as a visionary musician, composer, and artist. From humble beginnings as a session musician to a trailblazer in the electronic music scene, Pauli's journey is a testament to the power of unhindered self-expression.
We learn more about his creative process, both on and off stage. A production career and stage presence supported by the KeyLab Essential, and brought to life in combination with the sounds of V Collection.
Defined by diversity
Born and raised in London, Pauli's musical journey began at a young age. Influenced by a range of innovative and forward-thinking artists that surrounded him, he quickly developed a passion for music that would shape his artistic vision. Drawing inspiration from a diverse range of genres, from jazz and soul to electronica and hip-hop, paulli's musical palette knew no bounds.
As he honed his craft, Pauli's talents caught the attention of established artists, leading to collaborations with some of the biggest names in the industry including Gorillaz, Jamie xx, FKA twigs, Harry Styles and Maggie Rogers. From producing tracks for chart-topping artists to directing live performance, paulli's versatility and ingenuity were in high demand.
From the haunting vocal ambience of ‘CAPRICORN’ to the club-ready energy of ‘Saucy’ and stripped-back rhyme and rhythm of “I got the beat” - Pauli’s releases take unique and unexpected turns that are reflective of his varicoloured style.
Seeking self-expression
Amidst the growing momentum of his career, Pauli yearned for something more - a chance to express himself authentically and tell his own stories through music. Fueled by this desire, he started a new life in Paris and immersed himself in musical experimentation, leading to the establishment of a solo career.
I was working a lot with different artists as a session musician, and we were going on tour a lot. It was amazing playing other people's music, but I wanted to figure out how I could tell my own stories and create my own narratives.
On the road, in the zone
And at the heart of Pauli's live show lies the KeyLab Essential mk3 - a universal MIDI controller that breaks down all the barriers between you, your DAW, and your perfect sound.
I've loved using the KeyLab Essential. It's been so good to take on the road with me… You're not ever thinking about playing, you're just in the zone.
The KeyLab Essential is paulli’s centerpiece on stage, chosen for its simple, portable design and great feeling keys that make you feel like you’re playing the real thing. Not only this but its essential controls mean you can keep your laptop at arms length and control parameters, faders and patches with ease.
Brought to life with V Collection
Pauli introduces the perfect pairing of the KeyLab Essential and Wurli V electric piano, modeled in exquisite detail. He takes us through the process of adjusting and attenuating a classic Wurli sound to suit his playing style. This includes adding just the right amount of drive, reverb and chorus to find that ideal balance between electrified grit and rounded tonality.
First thing to note is that you actually got your Wurli in front of you and that's how you started making your own music. It's not like a version of it, it's actually like your classic Wurli.
Every nuance is captured and controllable via the KeyLab Essential, giving you access to a truly limitless range of sounds for you to use in the studio and on stage.
You also notice everything is happening in real time so you can even see as I lift my foot from the pedal, there's actual sustain happening… you can hear the resonance of the body of the Wurli, so you can hear the hum of the keyboard. You can hear the motor. It's all happening like it's actually a real instrument. You don't get that from any other situation.
A Personal Connection
As Pauli continues to push the boundaries of electronic music and inspire audiences around the world, his journey serves as a testament to the power of creativity, passion, and perseverance. With each new composition and performance, he continues to re-imagine his own style and remind us that music is more than just what we play, but the stories we hope to convey. With the KeyLab Essential mk3 by his side, the possibilities are endless, ensuring that Pauli's sonic journey will go from strength to strength.
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