Introduction
Clockwork Orchestra is primarily the moniker of Irish songwriter/producer Paul Mangan. His idiosyncratic brand of melody driven music juxtaposes hyperactive synth riffs, melancholic piano balladry, dark lyrical themes, orchestral soundtracks and old video game sequences together to create a unique listening experience.
Mangan has been recording music since his teens and has amassed a vast collection of demos and musical ideas. Influenced as much by nursery rhymes and TV theme tunes as by other artists, he has also produced a diverse range of artwork including animations, sculptures and illustrations.
In August 2010, Mangan began to make his music officially available though a series of sporadic Internet releases and animated music videos. Enthused by the largely positive response and growing fan base, Mangan set about recording a full length album. The fruits of his labor, "Friends Without Names", is due for release in January 2012.
Clockwork Orchestra is primarily the moniker of Irish songwriter/producer Paul Mangan. His idiosyncratic brand of melody driven music juxtaposes hyperactive synth riffs, melancholic piano balladry, dark lyrical themes, orchestral soundtracks and old video game sequences together to create a unique listening experience.
Mangan has been recording music since his teens and has amassed a vast collection of demos and musical ideas. Influenced as much by nursery rhymes and TV theme tunes as by other artists, he has also produced a diverse range of artwork including animations, sculptures and illustrations.
In August 2010, Mangan began to make his music officially available though a series of sporadic Internet releases and animated music videos. Enthused by the largely positive response and growing fan base, Mangan set about recording a full length album. The fruits of his labor, "Friends Without Names", is due for release in January 2012.
Background
Born in 1985, Paul Mangan grew up in the Dublin suburbs of Finglas and Glasnevin. Surrounded by musical instruments from an early age, but with no formal training, his first creative passion was art rather than music. Whilst studying at Mount Temple Comprehensive school, Mangan began writing songs and formed several short lived bands. Realizing that his preferred method of songwriting was ill-suited to the traditional band format, he set about recording his own music in private.
Initially using a broken Yamaha keyboard with a loose ping-pong ball rolling around its innards in conjunction with an antiquated 4-track recorder, Mangan's early demos were dark and experimental. With the backing of his friend and future collaborator, the classically trained pianist, truck driver and martial arts expert Paul O'Byrne, Mangan was able to acquire better equipment and improve the standard of his recordings.
During a largely frustrating tenure at the National College of Art and Design in Dublin, Mangan continued to produced dosens of new songs as he strived to find a definitive style and format for his music. In 2004, a compilation of these recordings was copied and inadvertently leaked to the public. Known as "The Black Album" or "Black CD", it went on to gain a cult following amongst teenagers in Dublin.
Upon graduating, Mangan was able to focus his attentions primarily on music and switched from what was a predominantly hardware based setup to using virtual instruments alongside the popular digital workstation Cubase. There were numerous difficulties and false starts, including the robbery of his laptop and frequent breakdown of instruments. However, the greatest obstacle was Mangan's obsessive compulsive behavior, which manifested itself in a near-endless stream of demos, mixes and re-recordings.
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Born in 1985, Paul Mangan grew up in the Dublin suburbs of Finglas and Glasnevin. Surrounded by musical instruments from an early age, but with no formal training, his first creative passion was art rather than music. Whilst studying at Mount Temple Comprehensive school, Mangan began writing songs and formed several short lived bands. Realizing that his preferred method of songwriting was ill-suited to the traditional band format, he set about recording his own music in private.
Initially using a broken Yamaha keyboard with a loose ping-pong ball rolling around its innards in conjunction with an antiquated 4-track recorder, Mangan's early demos were dark and experimental. With the backing of his friend and future collaborator, the classically trained pianist, truck driver and martial arts expert Paul O'Byrne, Mangan was able to acquire better equipment and improve the standard of his recordings.
During a largely frustrating tenure at the National College of Art and Design in Dublin, Mangan continued to produced dosens of new songs as he strived to find a definitive style and format for his music. In 2004, a compilation of these recordings was copied and inadvertently leaked to the public. Known as "The Black Album" or "Black CD", it went on to gain a cult following amongst teenagers in Dublin.
Upon graduating, Mangan was able to focus his attentions primarily on music and switched from what was a predominantly hardware based setup to using virtual instruments alongside the popular digital workstation Cubase. There were numerous difficulties and false starts, including the robbery of his laptop and frequent breakdown of instruments. However, the greatest obstacle was Mangan's obsessive compulsive behavior, which manifested itself in a near-endless stream of demos, mixes and re-recordings.
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Additional Information
Mangan owns a variety of vintage synthesizers, organs and drum machines, though he has predominantly used software in his recent recordings.
The Clockwork Orchestra track "Animal Alphabet" is used in staff tutorial videos shown at Cineworld's UK cinemas.
Mangan's short film "Window Pain" was shown at the One Minute Film Festival in Switzerland in 2007.
Mangan briefly worked as an assistant researcher for the popular multi-platform game "Football Manager" in 2009.
There have been several covers in the sprawling back catalogue of Clockwork Orchestra demos. These include a tongue-in-cheek calypso version of the Roxy Music hit "More Than This".
Mangan attended Mount Temple Comprehensive school between 1997 and 2003. The school also counts U2 and Damien Dempsey amongst its musical alumni.
Mangan was voted "Most Likely To Become A Cult Leader" in school.
The Clockwork Orchestra track "Mummer" is used in Stefan Evan's documentary "Grey Matter" which centres on the life of lobotomy survivor Derek Hutchinson.
Mangan collects Carlton Ware money boxes.
The music of Clockwork Orchestra was once described as sounding like a "digital clown nightmare" by Irish wrestler Mad Man Manson.
Mangan owns a variety of vintage synthesizers, organs and drum machines, though he has predominantly used software in his recent recordings.
The Clockwork Orchestra track "Animal Alphabet" is used in staff tutorial videos shown at Cineworld's UK cinemas.
Mangan's short film "Window Pain" was shown at the One Minute Film Festival in Switzerland in 2007.
Mangan briefly worked as an assistant researcher for the popular multi-platform game "Football Manager" in 2009.
There have been several covers in the sprawling back catalogue of Clockwork Orchestra demos. These include a tongue-in-cheek calypso version of the Roxy Music hit "More Than This".
Mangan attended Mount Temple Comprehensive school between 1997 and 2003. The school also counts U2 and Damien Dempsey amongst its musical alumni.
Mangan was voted "Most Likely To Become A Cult Leader" in school.
The Clockwork Orchestra track "Mummer" is used in Stefan Evan's documentary "Grey Matter" which centres on the life of lobotomy survivor Derek Hutchinson.
Mangan collects Carlton Ware money boxes.
The music of Clockwork Orchestra was once described as sounding like a "digital clown nightmare" by Irish wrestler Mad Man Manson.