The start of Paris Revolution is perhaps debatable. On one hand you could say it all began in 1998 at The Leventhorpe School in Sawbridgeworth, Hertfordshire where Kalada Bruce-Jaja (Bass), Sam Fox (Guitar) and Robin Martin (Vocals) all went for their education. It was here that Kalada and Robin would spend numerous hours in the music practice rooms learning how to play their instruments and making their first efforts at song writing. It was also here that the three of them played their first gigs together under the somewhat awful name of Next Edition. University however sent the three in different directions and drew a line under the first incarnation of the band.

After jamming with various musicians in the first year it wasn’t until 2006 when Robin met Tom Wollam (Drums) at a French summer school in Montpellier that things really started to get going. The two had been on the same course at the University of Leicester but until this point hadn’t really known each other. It was agreed however that upon returning to England they would start a band that would one day become the biggest and best in the world.  

After several practices the initial idea of Principal Veto as a name was discarded in favour of Paris Revolution. The name came from a song that Robin had written on a trip to the French capital. With Robin’s guitar skills being somewhat limited, the services of Sam Fox were called upon. Immediately the noises being made by Tom and Robin started actually sounding like music.

Summer 2007 saw some initial recordings being made by the three with the help of Stephen Findlay (Bass) and Tom Cole (Piano/Vocals). Recorded under the guidance of producer Jim White at Riverway Studios in Harlow, Essex, the tracks showed real potential and suggested the start of something special. Robin and Tom were to go abroad for 8 months as part of their university courses but it was agreed that they would meet up again in the New Year to keep things going.

Despite being apart, the rehearsals in January proved to be productive and it was decided that more recordings would be made in the Easter period. The rehearsals also signalled the return of Kalada Bruce-Jaja to fill the role of bassist. Being able to play the guitar and piano as well as providing solid backing vocals meant he brought a lot more than just bass playing skills to the table. It was at this point perhaps that the band was truly realised for the first time.

The That’s Where I Wanna Be DEMO (available on iTunes) was recorded March ‘08 and the band rehearsed constantly over the summer in preparation for live shows in the autumn. The band was ready for the world. They hoped that the world was ready for them. “We are Paris Revolution and this is our first gig…”