Paul Roper
PERFORMS WITH: Mint Chicks
About the Artist
Paul switched from playing classical violin to playing drums at age 13 when he found an old set in the attic of his local church. He was taught the basics by local musicians Gabrielle Craig and Ross Browne, and later learned about jazz independence, funk and Latin American rhythms from Frank Gibson Jnr (one of New Zealands most revered jazz drummers). Throughout his teens he cut his teeth playing with the church band and a handful of bands with friends from school, including the school jazz ensemble.While studying Architecture at Auckland University and playing in one of the University’s jazz ensembles, some of Paul’s friends from school asked him to join their new band the Mint Chicks. Paul has been busy in this capacity since 2002.
2003 saw the mint chicks first EP release Octagon, Octagon,Octagon (Flying Nun/FMR) which was met with critical acclaim, as was 2004’s follow up EP Anti-Tiger (Flying Nun/FMR). The first full length album F**k The Golden Youth (2005 Flying Nun/FMR) was largely misunderstood. The Mint Chicks most recent album Crazy? Yes! Dumb? No! (2006 Flying Nun/Warner) recently reached gold status in New Zealand shortly after winning 5 Tui’s at the New Zealand Music Awards. The success of this album is largely attributed to the catchy single Crazy? Yes! Dumb? No! which features a prominent rhythmic hook which has become Paul’s signature drum fill.
In early 2008 the Mint Chicks relocated to Portland OR.
