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A musician from Machen has released his debut album at the age of 65. 

Paul James released his first album Remember Your Name on digital platforms, including Spotify and iTunes, on May 12.

Paul told Caerphilly Observer more about what the experience meant to him and said: “It’s a nice milestone to reach.” 

Paul, who used to work as a teacher, added that a mix of retirement and lockdown allowed for a period of creativity. 

It was during Covid that he first started writing songs and posting them on Facebook. 

He was encouraged by listeners to record them and did just that recently at COBRA Music Studios in Newport – completing the session in just six hours.

The album features relaxing music and is named after one of its songs, which is about being “true to yourself”. 

Other songs cover topics such as social awareness, poverty, freedom, Bob Dylan and even some Caerphilly mythology in the Green Lady – which is about the ghost of Princess Alice de Lusignan, who supposedly haunts Caerphilly Castle.  

Paul first started playing the guitar as a teenager and has been in several bands throughout the years. 

He also attributes his interest in music to time spent at the former Forge Hammer Inn in Machen. 

“I was brought up in a famous pub,” said Paul of the establishment which closed in 2015, “I guess there were a lot of musical influences there.”

Paul is still making music and hopes to record more in the future. 

“There’s a plan for more,” he added.