Hello Rockstars!
Today’s Artist of the Week is Alt-Rock Band Paper Dad! Here’s their full story in their own words, please enjoy! 😉
Editor’s Note:
This article is an incredibly bittersweet one today. I sent the questions to them months ago, with the goal for posting this article in this time frame, but sometimes life happens, which is all good, and last month the band announced on Instagram that they are parting ways as a band (for now).
Here’s their Full statement:
“We have some great and terrible news.
Great: We have an awesome show coming up on October 12th
Terrible: It’s our farewell show as Clifton Vickers is moving to a different state.
We hope you will all come out as we celebrate our catalog and play the whole thing live for you, as well as say au revoir to our friend. To anyone wondering, we do plan to continue writing and releasing music, (Postal Service Style). But it will definitely be a long while until we’ll be able to play live for y’all again.
We hope to see everyone there.”
Additionally, they did let me know that “David (drummer) and Sean (guitar) will continue with I’ll Catch Fire. Guy (bass) also plays for The Forerunner. We plan on continuing to write, record, and release together, with the hope of doing shows as we can, (but it will be a year or more before we can potentially do that.)”
I am going to post the original article, with their original answers since I don’t want to edit their story in any way. I truly think they are an amazing band, I wish them nothing but the best and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for these incredibly talented musicians.
I encourage you guys to come hangout and let’s celebrate these cool dude’s and the wonderful music they created together at their show on October 12th at Eagles Aerie Hall! You can purchase your tickets now via Paper Dad!
—–Lara at VMS. 🙂
VMS:
“When did you start writing and performing your music. What’s your backstory and current lineup.”
Paper Dad:
“While all of us have played music together in one form or another in the past, the 4 of us came together as Paper Dad in April of 2022, so we’ve been writing and recording for a little over 2 years. Our current line up is: Cliff on vocals, keys, and (now) guitar, Sean on vocals and guitar, Dave on drums, and Guy on bass. And we wouldn’t have it any other way. We don’t think Paper Dad would ever exist in any other form as each member is essential in what makes us… us.”
VMS:
“What artist or bands inspire you and your sound.”
Paper Dad:
“One of the many things we enjoy about writing together is the many influences and backgrounds we come from. But in general bands like Free Throw, Modest Mouse, Hot Mulligan, Orchards, Tiny Moving Parts, Brand New and Youth Fountain have all been key in forming what we consider “our” sound to be.”
VMS:
“What’s your writing process and inspiration for your lyrics.”
Paper Dad:
“Sometimes we start with a full framework that someone has written for a song and sometimes our process is basically summed up by the four of us getting together in a room, and throwing spaghetti at the wall until something sticks. This includes lyrics. No matter how we get there, it’s not a Paper Dad song until everyone is happy or sad.”
VMS:
“I love your songs “Is That Your Final Answer”, “Okay” and “It’s Only Good Vibes, Only!”. What is the inspiration or story behind these songs.”
Paper Dad:
“”It’s Only Good Vibes, Only!” is a love letter to all of our fellow Las Vegas bands that have ever played in the scene. Having to pay for the opportunity to play for five people, or getting screwed out of money after playing a set and bringing people. It’s our way of saying, “We hear you, and we are here with you.”
Listen to “It’s Only Good Vibes, Only!” on Spotify:
“Okay” at it’s heart definitely just a song about a girl, but if you want to dive deeper it can be about any situation where you’ve left something unsaid that you just can’t hold in any longer.
Listen to “Okay.” On Spotify:
“Is That Your Final Answer?” is a song also about a girl, but like, Sadder (lol). But really it is kind of a continuation from “Okay”. and dealing with the reality of what actually “is.””
Listen to “Is That Your Final Answer?” on Spotify:
VMS:
“Tell me about your EP: “Eclecticism”. What was the inspiration and process of writing it.”
Paper Dad:
“The “Eclecticism” EP was definitely our “sketchbook.” It was an amalgamation of all of our separate interests/inspirations coming together in one firm, sad handshake. We wrote it at a time when we were still figuring out who and what we were and is the predecessor for what is now Paper Dad.
Honestly, at first we weren’t even gonna release it. They were gonna just be demo recordings for us to start booking shows with, but by the time we finished it (even though it was a hodgepodge) we felt comfortable in showing people what we’ve been working on and hoping they’d wanna listen.”
Listen to “Eclecticism” on Spotify:
VMS:
“Which local artist would you like to work with and why.”
Paper Dad:
“We’ve actually had the great pleasure to play with a bunch of amazing groups so far such as SECOS, Twist Off, Radical West, Dantes, and our “Paper Kids” Maybe You’re Right. All of which bring it every time and create an energy that is all fun and “good vibes.” We’d play with any of them again, anytime.
We’d also really love to play with our sister band I’ll Catch Fire, especially because two of us won’t even have to get off stage. lol We’d also like to play with the musical wizards Post N.C. and Twin Cities.”
VMS:
“What’s your overall theme or message of your music.”
Paper Dad:
“When we started out, our only goals were to play music we like and have fun. What we didn’t realize, is that it was all about the sadness we felt along the way. But really, it’s about life being life, and allowing yourself to feel everything that comes with it.”
VMS:
“Do you have a favorite song that you like to perform.”
Paper Dad:
“Right now, the band unanimously agrees it’s “Afterglow” which isn’t released yet, but trust us, you’ll know when it is.
Side note: Sean is dying to play Beverly Hills by Weezer, so please let us know if you want to hear that so we can also ignore you… lol.”
VMS:
“Do you have any crazy or interesting stories from working in the music scene.”
Paper Dad:
“Do you want this alphabetical or chronological?
We once back-lined a rap group where the stage was so full of electronics that it killed our in ear monitors. Sean once forgot a whole verse for a song he’s been singing for 10 years. Guy once hopped into the crowd only to forget what he was playing. Dave’s perfect and should never change.
Cliff once played a mansion party full of celebrities and weed, no-one listened to the music.
And so, sooo many more.
If you’d like to hear the stories, come out to a show and say hi. We’ll tell you all the good dad stories.”
VMS:
“What does the future hold for Paper Dad.”
Paper Dad:
“Right now, we’re concentrating on being the best we can, and making music that we are proud of and hopefully that leads to a lot more sick shows that we get to share with the sick acts both in town and out. The culture here in Vegas is really cool right now, and we’re looking forward to continuing to add to it and foster it.”
VMS:
“What do you want your audience to feel and experience at one of your live shows.”
Paper Dad:
“This one we want each member to say something, as we each find our own importance:
Cliff:
“As cheesy as it sounds I genuinely hope our shows bring people together. In a weird way, there is a certain freedom in being part of something together. Or maybe I just want to yell with people…”
Dave:
“I want the audience to suffer but be happy about it. You know exactly what I mean…”
Guy:
“We want to be there. Even through all the hurt, pain, and sadness, you can still laugh and smile and sing. We want the audience to feel welcomed, a sense of belonging. We wanna hear all about it, sport.”
Sean:
“I wish for everyone that comes out would feel like they could let down their walls, and let it hit you. Our sound is characterized by the emotions behind it all – so feel it all. And then stay for a beer after .”
VMS Thoughts:
What I love about Paper Dad is the passion they have behind their music and their songs. With their raw and real emotions and that incredibly big heart that they wear on their sleeves, they have created some wonderful songs about love, heartbreak and everything in between.
With vocals that are raw and heartbreaking, you can tell he truly feels every song to his core, and their lyrics that perfectly encapsulate that as well. As musicians, everyone is incredibly strong and plays with their whole heart, bringing so much joy, sadness and passion into everything they do. The chemistry this band has is very real and translates beautifully into the music that they make. They will have the listener walking away feeling emotions they might not have tapped into recently and that to me is the most important thing about a band, opening up a person’s heart to new feelings and new experiences.
That is the power of music and that is the strength they have as a band.
But alas, life happens and things change, which is why it’s incredibly bittersweet to post this article about Paper Dad. Even though we will be saying goodbye (for now) to this awesome band, the most important thing is the wonderful music they have left us with, which I encourage you to come out and see live and in person at their show on October 12th! Please check out their Spotify, and keep supporting the other bands they are apart of, I’ll Catch Fire and The Forerunner are awesome bands as well, so please go show them some love also! I’m excited to see what the future holds for these talented musicians, and I know I will be waiting in anticipation for new projects, shows and music from all of them in whatever direction life will take them.
For now, I’m just going to go put on my headphones, and go get lost in the beautiful music legacy they have left for us to all enjoy.
For more information about their show or about Paper Dad and their future projects, please visit their Instagram!
——–VMS xoxox