“One of the guitar players of his generation” – Maverick Magazine, November 2010
“As talented a guitarist as you’ll hear in many a moon” – R2 Magazine, December 2010
Guitar lessons in Glasgow tutor Paul Tasker began playing the guitar in Glasgow in the 1990s eclectically influenced by fingerstyle guitar players Bert Jansch and John Renbourn as well as Gram Parsons, the Rolling Stones, AC/DC and many others. Tasker moved to Aberdeen in the mid 1990s, a town with a strong tradition of fiddle and Scottish music, and started accompanying Scottish traditional music. Shortly after, Paul formed his first band “On The Case” consisting of French accordionist Regis Le Chattelier, and fiddle player Sandy Tweddle. This lineup was characterised by floating accordion and guitar led tunes and “On the Case” played at many folk clubs and festivals in the north east of Scotland including a performance on Grampian television. Paul left “On The Case” after about a year to join a new Scots / Irsh traditional music band called “Banish Misfortune” in 2000. “Banish Misfortune” played a high energy take on traditional music and went on to play at most folk clubs and festivals around Scotland including Orkney folk festival, Celtic Connections and tours in the netherlands and Faroe islands.
During the time playing with Banish Misfortune, Paul started teaching guitar lessons in Aberdeen after being asked to run a series of workshops on traditional guitar for the Scottish Culture and Tradition nigh classes in Aberdeen. These proved very successful so a second series of workshops this time on fingerstyle guitar were planned. This coincided with setting up another project away from traditional music showcasing songwriting and fingerstyle guitar. “Sal” played their first gigs in early 2002 and in the next 18 months played at T in the Park, and GoNorth music showcase before winning the Danny Kyle open stage award 2004 at Celtic Connections festival in Glasgow. During this period in Aberdeen, Paul became the advanced guitar tutor for the Scottish culture and traditions course as well as teaching rock guitar at rehearsal rooms in Aberdeen.
Doghouse Roses were formed in 2005 when Paul moved from Aberdeen back to Glasgow. In addition, Paul also plays the guitar and mandolin for US based, alt-country band The Willard Grant Conspiracy after Doghouse Roses were noticed playing at the Merchant City Festival by Willard Grant Conspiracy front man Robert Fisher, who was in town recording the “Pilgrim Road” album. Tasker contributed slide guitar to this record and toured with the Willard Grant Conspiracy across europe on a tour that lasted 5 weeks. Doghouse Roses most recent album “How’ve you been (all this time)?, featuring 9 tracks written by Paul Tasker, was released in January to great reviews:
“Tasker’s soundtrack mines the best of Scottish and American musical influences, at one moment homespun and folksy, at another bluesy… Perhaps the standout track is the tender, piano-led “Stalling” which, like a great Joni Mitchell tune, leaves the listener simultaneously sated and devastated” – Trevor Raggat, Rock & Reel Magazine
“Vocalist Iona Macdonald has an ethereal voice that gives songs like ‘Gone There’ an almost Clannad-like feel, while guitarist Paul Tasker plays with a level of expertise that immediately puts them head and shoulders above many similar bands. “ – Brett Callwood, Acoustic Magazine
2009 has seen the release of “49 Arlington Gardens” by Nick Garrie, the first album in over 30 years by this 60s icon, which features Paul Taskers guitar and mandolin playing throughout the record. Tasker also accepted a postion a guitar tutor for the musicworks course of the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama
Experience
2002 – Played at T in the Park and GoNorth industry Festival
2003 – Tour of Netherlans, Belgium , Luxembourg. Established yellowroom Records
2004 – Winner of a Danny Kyle Award at Celtic Connections Festival. Performances at Orkney Folk Festival, Rootin Aboot in Aberdeen and Celtic Connections
2004 – Advanced guitar tutor for Scottish culture and traditions course in Aberdeen
2005 – Performances at Celtic Connections, and both sides of the Tweed Festival
2006– Forms Doghouse Roses with Iona Macdonald in Glasgow. Joins US alt-country band the Willard Grant Conspiracy. Doghouse Roses release 1st EP – Doghouse Roses
2007 – Doghouse Roses release folk & Blues part 1. Tour Europe with the Willard Grant Conspiracy
2008 – Signs publishing contract with Basement Music Ltd. Doghouse Roses release “How’ve You Been (all this time)? Records and produces B-side of new Ally Kerr single “Amorino” which is subsequently played on radio 2. Yellowroom Music secure distribution through Proper Distribution
2009 – Doghouse Roses play Celtic Connections, tour Netherlands and Germany in Feb / March. Slovenia and Croatia in June
2009– Appointed as RSAMD Musicworks Tutor. Starts guitar lessons in Glasgow
2009 – Doghouse Roses tour in Slovenia, Croatia, Uk, Ire, Netherlands, Germany, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Austria, Spain, Italy and Belgium
Discography
“Set Yourself Free” from My Big Mouth by Chiara Berardelli (Chiara Berardelli 2014)
“Sister Sun” from “Hope’s Beautiful Daughter” – Katarina Juvancic & Dejan Lapanja (Stray Cat Tunes) 2014
“Whats Goin’ On” from “My Kind of Paradise”– Brian Hughes (Brian Hughes 2010)
“This Broken Key” – Doghouse Roses (yellowroom Music 2010)
“Folk & Blues Part 1” – Doghouse Roses (yellowroom Music 2009)
“Tree tumble Wake Mother” – Davie Lawson (Smoked Recordings 2009)
“49 Arlington Gardens” – Nick Garrie (Elefant Records 2009)
“Amorino / Everthing Ive learned I Have Forgotten” CD single – Ally Kerr (much Obliged 2008)
“How’ve You Been (all this time)?” – Doghouse Roses (yellowroom Music 2008)
“Greener The Grass/ Years” CD single – Doghouse Roses (yellowroom Music 2008)
“Pilgrim Road” – Willard Grant Conspiracy (loose 2008)
“Folk & Blues Part 1” – Doghouse Roses (yellowroom Music 2007)
“Doghouse Roses EP” Doghouse Roses (yellowroom Music 2006)
“Greanta” – Potted Heid (Stringroof Records 2005)
“Red Book Recording” – Sal (Yellowroom Music 2005)
Contact me for more details on taking guitar lessons in Glasgow
Phone: 07763164123
email: paul ( @ ) glasgowguitarteacher.com *please remove brackets and spaces from this address*