life after Worlds Apart: interview to Aaron Paul

1- Hello, Aaron. We started this interview in friendship speaking about your old bandmates: Why you have left Worlds Apart?

  Hello, Corrado, it is really good to speak to you after all these years. And to tell all the Worlds Apart fans my story. The reason why i have left the group was to start my solo project. I had been in Worlds Apart from the very beginning and after Patrick and Dan left the group it was not the same. I felt like i was very close with Patrick and Dan and i also felt that they were also the most talented members of the group. Also our success in the U.K. was fadeing and Europe was starting to really take off. But there was no plans for a second album with Arista Records. Our A & R Simon Cowell was leaving the label to go to RCA records and was not taking the group with him. So i thought that this was the best time to leave. I was going backwards and forwards to America (New York) and i really liked being there and i wanted to make it my home. I decided to do one last tour with the group and then leave for America. I always wanted to be a solo artist and i was a big fan of the music that was coming out from America at that time. So i went to work with american producers. I was not getting along with the remaining members at that time. Because i told that i was leaving the group. So i guess they were scared of having no lead singer for the group. As you see i did all the lead vocals for the "Together" album. And they were upset over this. When i recorded that album nobody else could sing lead. That's why i was chosen for the group. I was the last member to join in the beginning. And i was picked to be the singer. When i did the last tour it was very difficult for me to be a part of the group, so i thought it was the best thing just to leave. But all that now is all behind me

2- Tell me more about what you have doing on the latest years on U.S.A.

  I've been living in New York now for almost 10 years. I have worked with different producers on my solo projects. I did get some positive press on my cd "Smooth" but it was not a big success. I worked with a great producer, Barry Goldstein. I did a few showcases with the songs from "Smooth" that went very well. For the last 2 years i have not recorded anything. I kinda took a break from the music industry. I started my own management company: i worked with actors and models for TV shows in America. My company did very well for a while and then September 11th happened and things got bad. So i had to close it down. Since then i have kept working within the entertainment industry. But right now i'm recording a new cd with a new producer. So i will get it to Europe this time!

3-What do you think of the constant love and support of the WA fans? 

  I'm very happy with the love and support from the WA fans. I have miss performing for them. I am very surprised that we still have fans after all these years. This has been a real shock for me to know that there are people who still remember me from WA. There as been lots of member changes in this band and i'm grateful that fans have stayed with us

4- What do you think about Nathan Moore and Tim Fornara?

  I don't know anything about the new members of the group. I have met Nathan before but i do not really know him. I'm glad for him that he has been able to survive and keep working within the music industry. But i will always remember him from his old group Brother Beyond! the times i have spoken with Nathan he has been very nice. I do not know anything about Tim, sorry

5- What member from the band was your best friend? you're still in contact with someone? there was some problems between you and Schelim Hannan?

  I think that Dan and Patrick were my good friends within the band. I really liked them. And i still miss them to this day. I'm afraid that i'm not in contact with anyone from the group. I'm trying to find Dan and Patrick though. I'll let you know when i find them! but i would be pleased to hear from anyone in the group. I have never held any bad feelings towards Schelim. Like i said at the beginning of this interview, when i was leaving the group we had some difficult times. But i have moved on and put all the stuff behind me. We were very young back then. I'm sorry to hear that Schelim is not doing well. I send him my love and i will pray for him. He can always get in contact with me to talk. I look forward to hearing from him. I'm also in contact with our manager Garry Wilson 

6- Tell me more about your new discography as a solo artist since today

  I did release 2 cds. The first one is called "Searching" and the second is called "Smooth". My favourite song is "Why?" which is a ballad, and i also really like "Smooth". I'm glad that i have written all my songs. I will always write my own songs

7- How does it feel to live on the U.S.A.?

  Ooh, i love America! i really love New York City. There is not place like it anywhere. I think i will always live here but i also love going back to England. I try to go at least 2 times a year. I miss performing in Europe: the fans in Europe are the best, they are very loyal. I also miss the food. Italian, french... i miss it all

8- What do you think of the end of Worlds Apart? now it's no more...

  It's a shame that it has ended. But all things come to an end one day. Nothing last for ever. People have to move and do whats in their hearts to do. I hope that each member has gained something from being in the band and i wish them all the best in what they are doing now. Who knows there might be a day when we all come back "Together" again. That would be interesting... right! Maybe!

9- What do you think of my personal website about Worlds Apart?

  I think the website looks fantastic. It's really great that you have a page for all the members. I think that you have done a wonderful job and worked very hard. Thank you. I was very surprised to find your website and i hope that the other members have seen it. Keep up the good work!

10- Do you miss WA days? You're proud of your solo career?

  Sometimes i do miss the Worlds Apart days, we did a lot of stuff together. We are always gonna be part of each other lives in some way because of this experience. I really liked the early days cause we were so excited to be given the opportunity to be in the band. And we worked so hard. I will always remember them all. I'm very proud of my solo work. There is still a lot more to come from me. I wished that the european fans had a chance to listen to my latest cds so i will work harder to get it to them on my next project. Fans can always write to me through your website. I will soon be setting up an official Aaron Paul website. I will keep you all informed on my next album and any Worlds Apart news. I'll let you know if i finally find Patrick and Dan...

ok, that's all, take care. We love ya, man!

Corrado

(a special thanks to Aaron for this exclusive interview)

Copyright: Maiucchi Corrado, May 2004, Italy (no part of this interview can be reproduced, ask permission before to my e-mail address, thanks)