The first time I saw Paper Tongues, they were perfectly set up. Not in the geographical sense, because there were seven of them on stage and if they’d had a Snow White, their troupe would have been complete, but because possibly-the-worst-band-in-the-world, True Lovers had just played before them when they were supporting Jet at New York City’s Blender Theatre. This meant that they could have come on stage as a two-man band to perform with a banjo and a whistle and still probably topped the previous act. Luckily, they didn’t. Instead, they brought the funk with a mix of rocksteady reggae and club-worthy, soaring rock.
Hailing from Charlotte in North Carolina, the band started when lead singer, Aswan North helped found the “Inprov Music Experience” there. The band started weekly jam sessions here, and began developing their own songwriting legs. Aswan brought those street sounds and ideas to producers in Los Angeles, and pretty soon, people were starting to notice the power behind their music.
They began working with a set of top-class producers to craft a debut album overflowing with energy and vibe. To be released on the A&M/Octone label, the record is due out this summer. “ Embracing elements of rock, funk, rap and soul, these seven individuals have created something you haven’t heard before. It’s music for dancing, crying, loving and living.”
The band says that “we want fans to walk away from our music with that good feeling. We think our music can bring healing for a group of people, a society, bad politics and artists that feel hopeless. Paper Tongues’ music should heal you and make you take a chance again.” We like that they’re all about the vibe. Life should always be about the vibe.
The two tracks from Paper Tongues that you should really listen out for are “For The People”, an optimistic anthem that wouldn’t be out of place in a dance club or on a rock stage, and “Ride To California”, with its reggae-style chorus and thumping beat. These songs could be hits the world over because the beat that Paper Tongues brings to its music is universal, and it sure is catchy as hell. Listen to it now!
For more info, check out their Myspace page.
ⓒ athousandguitars.com 2009