Paul Michel’s third full-length release, JUNE, releasing in the Spring of 2010, is a full-force rock monster. Paul is already known for his songwriting, garnering praises for previous albums’ nuances and wordplay. But JUNE takes the same powerful ability and puts a fire under it, ratcheting up the dynamics with huge drums, big guitars, and, as always, his soaring, distinctive voice.
For the second time, Andrew Schneider joins - a grammy-winning producer whose recent endeavors include Made Out Of Babies, Daughters, and Warship. The two worked well together on Quiet State of Panic (Paul’s previous release) and on JUNE they work perfectly, with Andrew harnessing the raw energy of Paul’s songs, and molding them into some of Paul’s best work yet. From the second Brand New Car, the first song, opens, you can feel the tension building. This is a BIG album. Big themes, big sounds, rich textures. No-holds-barred.
The new twist mimics the course of Paul’s life since he last released an album. With more shows and touring under his belt, the songs are more confident, more concise. Statues begins with a glitchy keyboard lick, and blooms into a tour-de-force, with one of the year’s most singable hooks in the chorus. Say You Will pulses with Mike Ushinski’s tremendous drums. Surround Me builds to an epic, cello-drenched climax. This is a new Paul. Stripped down but in charge, coming into his own.
When asked, Paul said he just wanted to make a record he would enjoy playing live: something high-energy but still something to be proud of. It doesn’t mean the subject matter is too far from the dark poetry we’re used to from Paul, though. In Morrissey-like fashion, Paul’s soul-searching is placed under uptempo beats and chiming guitars. The result is compelling.
JUNE is Paul’s birthmonth. It is symbolic of so much - of growing older, more mature, of new beginnings, and of growth. JUNE is Paul’s best album yet.
Embarrassing camera footage of a bunch of fools in the back of a car in Chicago. I'm in the middle of the backseat. We had drinks.
Nice things people say about Paul Michel:
Philadelphia Weekly: Once a fixture in a number of D.C. bands, singer/songwriter Paul Michel has gone solo, allowing him to pursue his own brand of slightly edgy yet lush and beautiful tunes... Michel always keeps his songs sounding original with his mellow hooks, catchy guitar riffs and a God-given voice. That voice—always clear as a bell—adeptly conveys every emotion under the sun: sadness, longing, aggression, you name it. His songs alternate between softly sung ballads and guitar- and drum-driven rock tunes, all executed to a T. The icing on the cake? He’s kinda cute.
Readexpress.com: "D.C. indie-rocker Paul Michel's 2006 CD, "Quiet State of Panic," is a delicate and intricately produced record. Michel gives meticulous attention to his guitar work, creating a series of subtle atmospheres that are then highlighted by his soaring vocals."
Girl About Town blog: "The mix of Paul’s passionate side with his more sedate storytelling side make for some engaging music. Even the name of his album, “Quiet State of Panic”, is a perfect description for his music – soft but intense at the same time. This tension is what makes the music so compelling and so relevant. "
DCist.com says, "Michel is undeniably talented, and critics have taken notice... Like Cold War Kids’ lead singer Nathan Willett, Michel has a yelp that is endearing instead of annoying."
Spin magazine calls Quiet State of Panic "ravishing bedroom Radiohead, or basement Buckley"
Spin.com (Hey, This Is Awesome feature): "His second LP, Quiet State of Panic, runs the gamut from introspective whispers to earnest falsettos a la Jeff Buckley, and it boasts both up-tempo electric riffs and swaying electronic backbeats."
Hypeful.com says "Paul’s voice is a soaring tenor wail (something akin to Jeff Buckley, Thom Yorke, or Cold War Kids’ Nathan Willett)" and mentions Paul as one of this years Bands To Watch.
The Washington City Paper (One Track Mind feature): "STANDOUT TRACK: No. 4, “Wait,” a plaintive and terrifically catchy uptempo acousti-rocker that gives Michel’s angelic croon a chance to spread its wings."
The Washington City Paper: "The songs are deserving of the praise, with tunes such as "Perfect Someday," "Wait," and "Always Right" blending folk, prog, Brit-pop, and more into a pleasingly fresh indie stew."
Left of the Dial review: "With an incandescent dance of approaches, Michel cruises through the prefabricated halls of existence with an almost urgent pop deconstruction that is wriggling, knotted, and synthetic, but not plastic."
Its Not the Band I Hate... blog: "This CD is brilliant. The singer/songwriter thing has been done to death but that doesn't stop Mr. Michel from sounding totally fresh and original and his music is like a breath of fresh air in the often stagnant world of the former-band-member-turned-solo-artist genre."
Midwestrecord.com review: "When a punk goes introspective and does it right, this is akin to the result you get. Still with an aggressive edge, Michel tone sit down but he’s not going gentle into that good night."
Paul's on a label -- Stunning Models on Display. They've put out a record called Quiet State of Panic. You can buy it through Stunning Models here. Keep posted to new updates about the album and tour by subscribing to Paul's blog. Click here for photos of Paul and his friends. There's also a forum/chat room here. Check it out and talk some shit about Paul. It'll be fun.
Paul was also on a label called Magic Bullet Records. He has three releases off of those wonderful guys -- Revolve EP ('06), These Are All Beautiful Things LP ('05), and Ayuda EP ('04). Check out some tunes here or here. You can also purchase those records through Magic Bullet Records or via iTunes. A thanks to those that have already, or those that will.
To book Paul Michel please contact him through this myspace account or through Little Birdy Booking. You can also reach him at info@pmichel.com.
Paul says thank you.
Greetings. I just wanted to thank you for your continued support and invite you to have a first listen on myspace to the tracks off the new EP "Monster & Minstrel" due out later this month. Bright stars to you! Ahmond
El PULGAS MIX es una mezcla de artes, una mezcla de gente, expresión de una ciudad en que sus habitantes pulsan y producen, aun que con extremo esfuerzo en los días de hoy. El nombre PULGAS MIX viene inspirado en los tradicionales mercados de Pulgas que existen en todo el planeta - los Marché aux Puces de Paris, Flea Markets de Londres, FLOWS de Berlin, Buenos Aires, Sao Paulo y miles de otras ciudades del mundo, mixto de bazar, happening y evento, donde artistas se exhiben, donde el publico curiosea en busca de novedades, donde se encuentra un poco de todo y donde se puede tener un contacto directo con la gente que crea o vende. La marca de la Pulga, con su carácter informal y desenfadado, atrae a un publico amplio que acude masivamente al festival con ganas de ver a lo nuevo y también de encontrar a otros con sus mismas inquietudes. Gente que se transforma en Pulga durante un fin de semana, unidos por el marco de la cultura libre y por el contacto directo con sus creadores. Desde los mas fashionistas, hasta los mas despistados, todos somos Pulgas en el PULGAS MIX!!! Este año el hervidero de sonidos grooveros estará a cargo de los dj’s del nuevo club de música negra de Barcelona - Marula Café y también de los ya habituales Two Faces, que abrira el festival y Le Freak Selector con su set de free style, worl music & urban beats. En las actuaciones en directo que cierran cada jornada del PULGAS MIX, contaremos el sábado el grupo Mensey, del cantante canario Tinguaro, con su explosivo directo que fusiona rumba, ragga y medios tiempos, en clave de son y hiphop.
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Picada: Appetizers. Snacks. A tray full off little pieces of all kind of cheese, sausages, ham, parma ham, salami, olives, all kind of snacks, bread, etc. It is usually eaten with beer (lager or stout) or red wines.
The picada usually has : Aceitunas: Olives (green or black) Jamón cocido: Ham Jamón crudo: Parma Ham Maní salado: salty peanut, it is usually eaten with beer. Pan: BreadPan negro/integral: whole-grain bread Queso: Cheese Salame: Salami Salchicha: Sausage
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Concierto Presentación de MENSEY en la SALA PASARELA de Ampuria Brava GIRONA, dia 05 de Septiembre a las 00:30. Este disco tiene de todo, solo dejate llevar y seducete de sus atmosferas, en los pianos o en sus potentes bases, con arreglos impredecibles, que orquestan todo un sueño hecho realidad , ARTE en su estado mas PURO que acaricia el pasado y enriquece nuestro presente ,asimilando con conciencia real todas y cada una de las letras descubriras cosas nuevas que seguro que al pricipio no notarás, no hay prisa, MENSEY llegó para quedarse........
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