Event
The Paperboys!
It's been said The Paperboys' music is hard to describe. Truth is, you could add rock, Son Jarocho, and world beat to that list too. Call it 'Guinness with a tequila chaser while listening to an Americana Jukebox'. Or 'a place where Irish, Mexican and Roots music collide.'
Of course, this multicultural mix is hardly surprising from a bilingual band, whose founding member is Mexican-Canadian and whose players cover a range of musical backgrounds from Bluegrass to Funk to traditional Scots and Irish music.
"A lot has to do with where we're from," says lead singer Tom Landa. "Vancouver is a culturally diverse place which feeds what we do and the music we make."
"Yes, we cover a lot of musical territory and have a lot of influences. There is a lot I can tell you about the music. But what it isn't is something that you can easily put into a little box and say "oh, this is Celtic" or "this is folk." We are much more than that."
Meanwhile, critics from Billboard to the Washington Post don't have any trouble describing the Paperboys sound.
"Astonishing eclectic folk-rock from acclaimed Canadian quintet."
Mojo's Jonny Black.
"A mix of Eagles laced alt-country, Tower of Power horns and gospel choirs, reminiscent of early Elton John and Van Morrison."
Americana UK Magazine
'One of the most exciting bands to come out of the folk-roots corner'
- fRoots Magazine'
"If you don't believe a jig can shred, listen to The Paperboys."
Seattle Rocket
And then there's the hardware. They received a Juno Award (the Canadian Grammy) for Best Roots & Traditional Album of the Year (Molinos); and Juno Award nominations for the three of their albums; two West Coast Music Awards for Best Roots Recording (Molinos, Postcards) and three more nominations in that category.
Add to this list, an American Indie nomination; a Genie Award nomination for Best Musical Score for the film 'Lunch With Charles' and appearances in both that film and the movie 'Marine Life.'
In 2001, the Red House Records Label invited The Paperboys to contribute a track to 'A Nod to Bob' a 60th Birthday Compilation to honour Bob Dylan. Their dizzying rendition of 'All Along The Watchtower' was a critical favourite, consistently mentioned as one of the highlights of the album.
The latest release 'The Road To Ellenside' (2006) was wholly recorded at a country manor in rural England. Ellenside was recently listed in the Top Ten critic's poll in The Village Voice, while the video for the single 'Fall Down With You' camped out in MuchMoreMusic's Top Ten for a staggering ten weeks - peaking at Number Four alongside Nickleback, Madonna, and Nelly Furtado a feat almost unheard of by an indie band.
The follow-up video for the single 'Fragile' was shot entirely on location in Morelia, Mexico and enjoyed constant rotation on video channels, not to mention thousands of hits on YouTube and other video websites.
But what really sets The Paperboys apart is their live show. And for that, the only opinion that matters are the fans who routinely sell out some of the most popular and prestigious clubs throughout Canada, the U.S., Mexico and Europe. They've played everywhere from The Kennedy Center in Washington DC, to The Borderline in London. The Paperboys burn up stages at countless festivals including New York's Falconridge Festival, The Folk Alliance Festival, The Boston Folk Festival, San Francisco's Guinness Oyster Festival and Seattle's Bumbershoot. They've headlined at the UK's Warwick and Trowbridge festivals, and Denmark's Tonder and Skagen festivals. The band averages well over 150 shows a year.
"We get paid for the travel time," Landa jokes, "but we play the gigs for free."
Despite the accolades and sell out crowds, the Paperboys still remain philosophical about it all.
"We're not saving lives," says Tom. "We're not building rockets or running for office. But every night I get to go out there and play my music with great people. I get to sing to a crowd of smiling, dancing people who know the words to every song. And I think, man, am I'm lucky. I have the best job in the world."
The Paperboys' energy and enthusiasm are always a delight, and if I had to pick a band to follow around on tour, I couldn't think of a better candidate.
Rambles Cultural Arts Magazine
"The most exuberant record I've heard in ages...breathtaking." Folk
Roots Magazine
Once heard, you will cross mountains, valleys, floods and tempests to see this band wherever they play. Be ready to travel - even if they play at the ends of the earth, it will be worth the journey!
David Shipley, CD BABY
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LocationWil Buffalo House of Music
208 West Holly
Belingham, WA 98225
United States
Categories
| Minimum Age: 21 |
| Kid Friendly: No |
| Dog Friendly: No |
| Non-Smoking: No |
| Wheelchair Accessible: No |
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