Cloud Studios - Parris Macleod

Biography

Born in England to a musical family, Parris started playing piano at the age of four. He spent his childhood and youth experimenting with all aspects of music, giving his first public piano recital at the Cambridge University May Ball at the age of 12 and going on to perform with numerous bands in and around London.

Parris migrated to Australia in 1985 and in 1987, at 19 years of age, he built his first recording studio. Over the past 18 years, and several studios later, he has developed his music and production skills. Parris is owner and manager of Cloud Studios. Today he is well recognised not only as a recording producer, but also an engineer, composer, arranger and multi-instrumentalist.

Although Parris has participated in a huge range of music, he always comes back to his own intimate style. His work touches the heart, and leads audiences along a journey of emotions. His passion and special touch pours outstanding vitality and depth into his music, which can easily be heard in his live performances and on his studio recordings.

Inspiration and experience has come from his association with countless great musicians. His work with artists such as Mark Atkins, Andrew Clermont, Sunil DeSilva, Mal Eastick, Phil Emmanuel, Leon Gaer, Kirk Lorange, Phil Manning, Duncan McGuire and Chad Wackerman - to name just a few - has ensured a solid professional example from which to forge an individual attitude to his music and his career.

Parris has performed live at venues and festivals around the world from London to New York, Nashville, New Orleans, Singapore and Taiwan. He has performed at The Basement in Sydney, Tamworth Country Music Festival, International Glass Festival (GLART) in Taiwan, Bellingen Global Carnival, Goulburn Blues Festival, Broadbeach Blues festival, Yungaburra Folk Festival and WOMADelaide 2004 with Mark Atkins, and as a guest at the All Star Concert conducted by master percussionist Zakir Hussain. He also currently plays keyboards with Australian electric guitar master, Phil Emmanuel and the Newcastle based blues band Bluezone. He is also a member of the world music group Opal Road and the contemporary quartet The Reason To Breathe.

Nominated 4 times for Best Instrumental in the Golden Guitar Awards at the Tamworth Country Music Festival.
Won Producer Of The Year at the 2007 Australian Blues (Chain) Awards for the Bluezone album The Sweetest And Most Perfect Things.
Won Keyboard Player Of The Year at the 2007 Bluestar People's Choice Awards
Won Producer Of The Year at the 2008 Australian Blues (Chain) Awards for Gail Page's album Colours That Run.

Parris Macleod performing at The Sori Festival in Korea Sept 2006

In the past, Parris has been the booking agent for several local venues including The Beachcomber (1996~1997) and The Grand Hotel, Wyong (1997~2002).

As a presenter and a musician, he has organised and promoted numerous events over the years both here and overseas including:

Rock Search 90 on air battle of the bands for Coast Rock FM (now SeaFM)
Youth Fest 1992 at Gosford Showground with attendances of over 5,000
Central Coast Battle of the Bands 1995
Phil Emmanuel's Taiwan Tour 2006
The Australian Guitar Legends Show - Blues & Beyond at The Basement, featuring Kevin Borich, Mal Eastick, Phil Emmanuel, Phil Manning, Peter Northcote, Ismet Osmanovic (The Screaming Jets), and Bluezone
Acoustic Guitar Show - The Freaks of Nature at The Basement, featuring Phil Emmanuel, Michael Fix, Lloyd Spiegel, Brian Campeau, Rob Long, and Smokin' Joe Robinson
The Sea FM Battle Of The Bands Central Coast 2007