Tag: Paul Greene

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Behind the Stars” – Paul Greene & the Other Colors

There’s not a lot of flash or fanfare to Paul Greene. When he releases a new album the industry barely murmurs. Yet he continues to be one of Australia’s most consistent singer-songwriters.

The rest of the music world might not be making a lot of noise about Paul’s latest album Behind the Stars, but the disc has taken up permanent residence in my stereo. It’s one of those albums that makes you want to press play again the moment that the final track ends.

I was surprised by the opening title track; it’s very different to that easy pop rock I associate with Paul Greene. That difference isn’t a bad thing though. It’s a beautiful tune, with haunting vocals and lovely lush orchestration. After that somewhat experimental number, Behind the Stars settles into a more familiar feel. Don’t mistake that familiar feel for being middle of the road. It’s a gift to create music so instantly accessible.

I found myself writing copious notes about the tracks as they washed over me. I noted the great bluesy groove of “Her Minor Key,” the striking simplicity of the romantic “Enough of You,” the no frills John Cougar Mellencamp vibe of “What You’ve Got Goin’ On,” and the cheerful mood “Bad Luck Lately” put me in.

But then I realised I could say something positive about every single track on the disc. There are no fillers here; it’s just a good honest album jam packed with good honest song writing and genuine talent. Behind the Stars is another solid stunner from Paul Greene.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Everywhere is Home” – Paul Greene

Making my way to Mother’s Day lunch yesterday was the ideal occasion to discover Paul Greene’s new album, Everywhere is Home. The album title hints at it, but this really is the perfect travel CD with its gentle grooves and mellow acoustic melodies.

The opener, “Ease Up,” tells us what we’re in for, reminding us that the journey is often just as important as the destination so we should all ease up and enjoy the ride. That gentle touch is prevalent throughout Paul’s music; he’s not the kind of artist that grabs you and shakes you. He sneaks up on you, charming you slowly. I enjoyed this album on its first spin, but now on my fourth or fifth time around I’m in love.

“Everybody Got a Little Love” is a standout, with its classic blues groove. I could imagine “You Should Know” appearing on a Donovan album; there’s something deliciously retro about its slightly psychedelic folk feel. The closer, “Stay On,” sees Paul completely stripped back and stunning.

Everywhere is Home sits nicely between my Josh Pyke and Ray Lamontagne albums. If you’re a fan of these artists, you’re going to eat Paul Greene’s latest disc it up. This is an album that gets to the heart of music, without bells and whistles and pretension.

Image source: Paul Greene website

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Paul Greene Signs Japanese Deal

Local singer-songwriter Paul Greene has just inked a licensing deal with Japanese label Tsunami Music. His latest album, Distance Over Time, will hit Japanese record stores on 22 November. It will feature two previously unreleased tracks: “Bumpy Ride” and “Talk To Me.”

“We have been searching for world class music to introduce to the Japanese people and the gods have not ignored our efforts. After hearing Paul’s music I feel like we have discovered a diamond and are very honoured to be working with him. We are committed to helping him soar higher and higher,” said Tsunami CEO Hironobu Arai.

Paul will visit Japan in December, seeing six cities in just 10 days, to promote the release. The promotional tour will include concerts in Tokyo and Osaka.

“The idea of playing to an entirely new audience is both inspiring and exciting,” says Greene. “Tsunami has been wonderful to deal with, their enthusiasm for the music and ambitions as a label are fantastic. I am very honoured to be involved with them.”

This isn’t the only travelling on the agenda for Paul. He’ll jet to North America in March for a series of shows including a performance at Canadian Musicfest. On returning home, Paul will unleash his highly anticipated new album. It’s scheduled for an April 2010 release.

If you want to catch Paul before he jets off, you can see him perform on his current Work Love Dance Trust tour.

Image used with permission from AAA Entertainment

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Paul Greene Tours Work Love Dance Trust

Paul Greene is of the hardest working men in the Australian music industry. To celebrate his new positive new acoustic pop single, “Work Love Dance Trust,” the talented singer-songwriter is preparing to embark on a massive regional tour.

The song confronts the harsh realities of life while reminding us not to dwell on the negatives. Just because we’re in the midst of a financial crisis, the world is still a wonderful place with endless possibilities. The uplifting tune comes from Paul’s current album, Distance Over Time. Check out the happy vid below!

Acclaimed singer-songwriter and Paul’s good friend will also join him on all the following dates.

27 September 2009 – Lennox Point Tavern
30 September 2009 – Dingos Backpackers, Rainbow Beach
2 October 2009 – Agnes Water Tavern
4 October 2009 – Oxford Hotel, Rockhampton
7 October 2009 – Central Hotel, Port Douglass
9 October 2009 – Green Ant Cantina, Cairns
10 October 2009 – Silkwood Hotel
11 October 2009 – Cactus Jack’s, Townsville
13 & 14 October 2009 – KC’s Bar & Grill, Airlie Beach
15 October 2009 – Denison Hotel, Bowen
16 October 2009 – Capella Cultural Centre, Capella
17 October 2009 – Maraboon Tavern, Emerald
22 October 2009 – Gold Coast Arts Centre
24 & 25 October 2009 – Caloundra Music Festival
30 October 2009 – Martians Cafe, Deans Marsh
4 November 2009 – The Grace Emily, Adelaide
5 November 2009 – Prairie Hotel, Parachilna
7 November 2009 – Pier Hotel, Port Lincoln
8 November 2009 – Port Neill Hotel, Port Neill
12 November 2009 – Mocean Cafe, Streaky Bay
13 November 2009 – Ceduna Sailing Club, Ceduna
18 November 2009 – Esperance Civic Centre, Esperance
20 November 2009 – Denmark Tavern, Denmark
21 November 2009 – Cape Wine Bar, Dunsborough
22 November 2009 – Quindanning Tavern, Quindanning
25 November 2009 – Mojo’s, Perth
26 November 2009 – Settler’s Tavern, Margaret River

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Q & A With Paul Greene

One of the hardest working men in the Australian music industry Paul Greene is back on the road promoting his new single “Love Work Dance Trust.” I caught up with this passionate and fiercely independent muso this afternoon to chat about life on the road, how he inspired a Ben Harper hit, and why the Olympics are a corporate marketing scam.

You’re touring to promote your new single “Work Love Dance Trust.” What can you tell me about the song?
It’s inspired by a Tibetan Buddhist proverb that I saw written on a friend’s wall in blue crayon once, nearly ten years ago now.  And on a drive to Bryon Bay from Sydney I had this song, which I thought was a bit of a joke, rolling around in my head. On long drives, that’s when I come up with a lot of my ideas, when I’m sitting in my car by myself. And I recorded it, I think I had a minidisk recorder at the time.

And it’s become probably my most requested song when I play live, which is pretty much all I do. It just seems to resonate with people. And I know it’s been used before – “Work like you don’t need the money, love like you’ll never get hurt, dance like nobody’s watching” is a bit of a cliché almost, sort of a modern cliché. But it’s interesting that song. With the way I write songs, I just make them up and bounce them off an audience and see what comes back, see what works and doesn’t work. And that’s definitely the song that has struck a chord with the most people.

You spend a lot of time on the road. What do you love about performing?
I love the individuality of it. It’s the journey that makes the songs a lot of the time, and really has established my sound and me as a performer. I particularly love being able to see the whites of the eyes, and seeing what happens when you bounce these songs off an audience of sometimes unsuspecting punters, seeing what their reaction is. People don’t have a chance to rereview or find out what’s going on a lot of the time. You get people’s raw reactions to the music. I get a lot out of that. I think that’s kind of what my whole project is really about.

What do you miss most when you’re on the road?
It’s more about what I miss when I’m not on the road!

OK then. What do you miss when you’re not on the road?
I miss being on the road! You very quickly forget about the uncomfortable beds. I’ve got to say after eight years of touring I’ve got it down to a fine art. I’m travelling at the moment with my seven-month-old daughter and my four-year-old daughter and my wife.

That would make things interesting!
Well, you know, I’d be sleep deprived if I was at home as well. I get to travel with my family. I come from Culbarra Beach, which is on the South Coast of New South Wales, and I love going home there. But I don’t go away from work. My life just kind of continues in another place. I just move from place to place, rather than having to go away and come back. I feel like this is my life, travelling and playing music, and I get to do it with my family. I feel like the luckiest person in the world.

Continue reading “Q & A With Paul Greene” →

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Paul Greene Hits the Road

Paul Greene is one of Australia’s best kept secrets. His album Distance Over Time recently hit number one on the iTunes blues and roots charts, and critics are raving about it.

Paul’s sold almost 30,000 albums locally, and played everything from major festivals to bar rooms to concert halls. You might have also caught him recently supporting American singer-songwriter supremo Patty Griffin and country king Adam Brand.

He’s just announced a bunch of new dates supporting this brand new disc. There are plenty of shows in the regional centres and capitals, so he’s bound to play near you soon. If you haven’t checked Paul out before, now’s the perfect time.

Click the link below for all the dates!

28 June 2008 – Royal Hotel, Corowa
29 June 2008 – Home Tavern, Wagga Wagga
3 July 2008 – Pot Belly, Canberra
10 July 2008 – Locomotive Hotel, Tamworth
11 July 2008 – Gunnedah Services Club
12 July 2008 – Moree Golf Club
20 July 2008 – Bateau Bay Hotel
25 July 2008 – Colac RSL (with Adam Brand)
26 July 2008 – Kinross Woolshed, Thurgoona (with Adam Brand)
30 July 2008 – Grace Emily, Adelaide
31 July 2008 – North Star Hotel, Melrose
1 August 2008 – Pier Hotel, Port Lincoln
2 August 2008 – Ceduna Sailing Club
7 August 2008 – Tanglehead Brewing Company, Albany
8 and 9 August 2008 – Quindanning Tavern
9 August 2008 – Cape Wine Bar, Dunsborough
10 August 2008 – Settlers Tavern, Margaret River
14 August 2008 – The Railway Hotel, Fremantle
15 August 2008 – Ronsard Bay Tavern, Cervantes
16 August 2008 – Freemason’s Hotel, Geraldton
27 August 2008 – Great Northern Hotel, Byron Bay (with Andrew Morris & The Huckleberry Swedes)
28 August 2008 – The Troubadour, Brisbane (with Andrew Morris & The Huckleberry Swedes)
29-31 August 2008 – Toyota Muster, Amamoor State Forest via Gympie
6 September 2008 – Bimbadgen Blues, Pokolbin (with Josh Pyke, Chain and more)
7 September 2008 – CoastFest 2008, Point Wolstoncroft (with Jeff Lang, Epicure and many more)
4 October 2008 – Deni Ute Muster, Deniliquin (with Kasey Chambers, James Reyne & Mark Seymour, The Living End)
23 October 2008 – Brass Monkey, Cronulla
24 October 2008 – Milton Playhouse Theatre
25 October 2008 – Kidgee Ridge Music Festival, Lake Conjola
26 October 2008 – Heritage Hotel, Bulli

Image supplied by Australian Music Biz