I chatted with Ellis Paul about his long career and his upcoming show in Annapolis.
Q: Where did you grow up?
I grew up mostly in Maine, my home town is Presque Isle. A small farming town in Aroostook County at the top of Maine.
Q: When did you know you wanted to be a musician?
I knew I wanted to be an artist of some kind by the age of 5 or 6. I was drawing, writing, playing music from a very young age. I decided I wanted to be a songwriter in my early twenties and became full time at 26.
Q: Favorite song that you’ve written, and why?
I don’t have one that I favor, they all have reasons to be loved. “Maria’s Beautiful Mess” has pieces of everything I do– finger picking, dynamics, melody, and decent lyrics. I think I play it so often because it takes me through the whole spectrum with the plectrum.
Q: What was it like opening for Bill Morrissey?
Bill was a gift to the world, I wish everyone could have seen and heard him. He was part sage, part jester, part broken hearted romantic. He took me under his wing and taught me what he could both with stories and examples.
Q: You’ve released 19 albums so far. How have you grown from album one to now?
It’s an exploration. I feel like Magellan in a way– you have a broader understanding of songwriting and your sense of self as an artist as you go deeper. I recognize that the potential for growth is endless.
Q: What is the hardest part of the industry in your opinion?
Monetization. It’s hard enough to make a living traveling with the it’s enormous expenses. Paying a team of people to help you book shows and be heard. There financially SHOULD be compensation for the moment a song is heard. But there isn’t decent tracking and decent compensation. And I don’t know if it will ever change. Musicians will likely be a segment of society constantly griping about fair wages.
Q: Favorite part of performing live?
There’s a moment when everything clicks– lights and sound are perfect, the crowd is perfect, you bring something close to perfect and the show becomes an elevated experience. You can do no wrong.
Q: Favorite album of yours and why?
“Stories” I think. It was my second one. It’s where I was in time– 28 years old, creating a template for the kind of musician I wanted to be. I’ve written and recorded stronger albums– but that was the first one where I began to recognize myself.
Q: Are you excited about your show here in Annapolis on August 20th?
Rams Head is a magic place. I’m excited to see my wounded musician pal Dan Navarro work around his broken wrist and weave his magic in a room full of love and empathy. I want to fill the room with songs, drink the ale, and enjoy the night as an audience member too..
Ellis Paul and Dave Navarro plays Rams Head On Stage Annapolis Saturday!
Visit Ellis’ Official Website
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