Paul was born in Corby, Northamptonshire, in 1980. In 1993, whilst at beanfield Comprehensive School, he began to play Tuba, receiving lessons at the school which boasted its own set of instruments, band room and brass band. Three years later, at the age of 16 Paul was already Principal Tuba with local youth band, Youth Brass 2000 and had made his championship section debut at the All England Masters. Playing in various bands throughout the U.K has led to performances at the All England Masters, British Open, Grand shield, and the National Finals at the Royal Albert Hall as well as performances throughout the U.K and Europe with Youth Brass 2000. Included in his brass band successes is a third place at the 2002 Masters and playing in Youth Brass 2000 when they were crowned BBC Radio2 Youth Brass Band of the year 2000.
Paul studied composition at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama under Andrew Wilson-Dickson, gaining many prizes and accolades for his brass writing which culminated with his piece, The Ministry of Love, being performed at the 2006 RNCM Festival of Brass. In 2007 he was also one of the prize winners in the 2006/2007 Swiss Brass Band Associations composers competition. Whilst studying composition, Paul has become increasingly interested in extended techniques for brass instruments and ways to incorporate them into his music, leading to two pieces being written for Owen Farr using these techniques. His music aims to explore the textural possibilities of the brass family whilst looking for new ways to broaden their capabilities, as well as challenging the listener and performer with new sounds and ideas. Paul is also proud to be a featured artist for Prima Vista Musikk.
When not composing, Paul likes to listen to the music of Frank Zappa, The Residents, Les Claypool, Radiohead and The Flaming Lips as well as searching for inspiration in other art forms including the works of Hunter S. Thompson, Aldous Huxley, George Orwell, Chuck Palahniuk, Tim Burton, Charlie Kaufman and Bill Hicks.