Paul Hawkins is a London-based singer-songwriter most noted for his "endearingly out of tune" (Godisinthetv Zine) singing voice, his intense on-stage persona and the dark fantastical nature of his lyrics. Typical subject matter includes a teenage boy who throws himself into a nuclear reactor in the hope of gaining superpowers and a lonely outsider who gets his kicks from donning a medical coat and hanging around hospitals, operating on unsuspecting patients. Paul is a key figure in the contemporary UK antifolk scene and has frequently been compared to Nick Cave, Daniel Johnston and "a drunk British Tom Waits" (indiefolkforever).

Thee Awkward Silences are Paul's live backing band and currently comprise of Ben Anstis (guitar), Alexander Templeton-Ward (bass), Niall Spooner-Harvey (keyboards) and Death in Vegas guitarist Ian Button (who also produces Paul's recordings) on drums. The band's live shows tend to be messy, chaotic and compelling affairs with anarchic behaviour from Paul himself, who frequently wanders off-stage midway through the first song and spends the remainder of the set prowling around the audience, teasing and tormenting them with cuddly toys, flowers and handcuffs.

[biography copyright of Drowned In Sound with minor alterations]
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