Paul Schalda has a ghost's voice, an old haunted soul that shivers its way up through his mouth to share its cracked-glasses view of the world with those of us lucky enough to listen.
New York's Pablo is the vehicle for that voice and the lives it's lived. Previously heard draped over the Pavement-influenced treble clang of outerborough indie rock heroes AWEK (see "NY: The Next Wave" on Kanine Records), Schalda's distinct and affecting vocals stand at the center of Pablo, drawing chills from the tight economy of his lyrics and conveying something deeper than most words usually get across anyway. It's smart music that connects at gut level, a rare treasure in a crowded space. Clipped stories prop themselves up against solitary acoustic guitar, or find a full body in the stellar and spare accompaniment provided by brother Will Schalda (ex-REALISTICS) and his varied keys, wife Maggie Schalda's harmonies, and the Strandberg Brothers' ample multi-instrumentation.
The result is a sound singular enough to equally evoke Odetta and the Replacements, and one that's perked up the ears of KEXP's "John in the Morning" and landed the outfit support slots up and down the East Coast with Matt Pond PA, Earlimart, Brendan Benson, myself and more. On the heels of a well-received self-released EP, Pablo's first full-length recording is set to be released this May on Brooklyn's own 230 Records. In the meantime, visit www.pablosmusic.com and www.myspace.com/pablomusic to hear what the well-deserved fuss is all about.
-Kevin Devine
A live review of the show at Chop Suey, Seattle, Dec. 30th 2006, part of the "John In The Morning at Night/KEXP Weekend Bender with Jeremy Enigk" Junk Media
John Richards' [of KEXP] Top 10 CDs of 2006
10. Pablo: Half The Time
"New York band Pablo's release is one of the most honest and personal albums of 2006. Led by Paul Schalda, this album is an auto-biographical view of the world that could be just about anyone's experience dealing with every-day worries and routines. Schalda's distinct and heart aching voice bring out the kind of emotion you immediately identify with and can't ignore."
NPR: National Public Radio
Recent reviews:
"The guitars and energy of the vocals build and swirl and quickly stop, like the changing moods we all go through every day."
Hero Hill
"Upon further audio examination, the inviting nuances and inflections that his vocal chords produced drew me closer and punched my gut instinct, well, right in the gut."
southcoast247.com
"Soulful and haunting yet sort of feel-good, the band has been touted as similar to a softer Replacements sound..."
Hate Something Beautiful
Props on tha add. I appreciate it. I heard u on tha radio w/ that zombies cover. I was hoping it was on this profile, but damn tha man. Where can I hear it again? I hope u can dig my instrumentals.
The new song is kick ass. I haven't heard anything quite like this before, and I can't wait to hear more. Also, I'm wondering: What were some of your influential bands while making this album?
That's it! Though I have no authority to do so, I'm commanding you to put out a new album. Half the time was an amazing album and the world needs more tunes from Pablo.
it certainly has been awhile, or at least feels that way. hope all i well brother. oh, and you best be coming to my grad party, June 14th. also: gotta hear the new shit? get back to me, let me know whats new.
p.s. ibanez still sounds great. although i hope to be purchasing a Sigma or just fuckin go all out on a Martin in the near future.
great seeing u last night bro......don't rock so hard next time lol.... the new stuff sounded great, and i cant wait for the new album to drop. Peace, love and Ny Mets!!!!!!!!
i just wanted to say ive been on a real fix of 'Half The Time' the past few days and it reminded me of how nice the two of you were at the Toronto show with Kevin a little over a year ago. You were so friendly and embracing of the very few people who made it out on one of the coldest, snowiest nights of last winter. We all appreciated it so much.
Your rendition of This Will Be Our Year has been a staple in my mind during this hectic time of year.
