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Darrin: Paul, after the grueling
touring that you did supporting Potter’s Field, you took a long
overdue rest. Are you feeling ready to be back out there supporting
Anthem?
Paul: Oh yeah, we have been out on
the road for about 8 weeks already, and it feels great to be back
out doing what we love the best.
Darrin: Wow, you are 2 months in…do
you even remember what city you kicked it off in?
Paul: Umm…what city DID we kick it
off in…(pauses) ..no. (laughs) No idea at all.
Darrin: When you took that time off
recently, did you accomplish anything outside of the band, that
normally you would not have the time for?
Paul: Actually, I became a dad,
spent some time with my little girl and my wife. I spent some time
growing up as an adult. I got started in all of this when I was 19,
so I spent most of my growing up out of high school years working on
the band. It was nice to get to take a break and grow up and spend
some time with the family.
Darrin: Listening to the lyrics on
the album, I came across a pretty strong introspective on what
happened with Hurricane Katrina. I know you call that region home,
so was this something you intended to write about, or did it just
come out in the writing process? 
What effect did Katrina have on
yourself and your family?
Paul: I know we did not set off
intending to write any songs, or album about Katrina. It was a very
devastating time for the entire region, it IS where we call home,
personally, we had nothing worse than tree limbs down and some bad
wind damage, but there were lots of people in the area that lost
loved ones, and lost their homes. People lost their jobs and had to
relocate. I am lucky enough to live in an area that did not
experience any flooding. These things definitely come out as a
writer, when you are writing songs. Personal experiences and the
things around you, definitely play a part in that.
Darrin: What was the writing
process like for Anthem? Did you get into a rehearsal space, write
in the studio, have it written on the last tour?
Paul: Actually, none of the above.
I know that sounds kind of weird, but we had a bunch of material
when we were out supporting Potter’s Field. We went to the label and
stated that we wanted to branch out, and stretch our horizons as
writers. So we actually spent a bunch of time traveling around
basically on a writing tour. We sat with a bunch of top notch
producers and song writers and picked their brains for ideas, and
basically wrote the album that way.
Darrin: A massive compilation of
writers.
Paul: Exactly, I think there were 9
or 10 writers involved. There were just as many people that played
on it as well. We had a nice time meeting all these new people, and
learning things about writing. It was all a very educational
experience.
Darrin: Did any of those people
stay with the band?
Paul: Actually our new addition on
guitar in the band is Justin Rimer. He actually co-produced the
album and he is now our rhythm guitar player. He was in a band
forever, and they put 2 records out, and he wanted to get back into
production. That was where he got his start, in the studio. We got
in the studio, started writing and recording together, and I
convinced him he was still young enough to go out on the road. He
can always produce records when he gets too old to be out on the
road.
Darrin: Where did you record this
album? Did you do anything new in particular when tracking the
album?
Paul: We actually recorded this in
Tennessee. It was a really nice studio called 747. We just went
there, and spent the time writing and recording. Up in Memphis was
where I met Justin, and we were writing until the very last day.
Darrin: How long did the studio
process take?
Paul: For actual recording, we were
only recording for about a month. About 3 ½ to 4 weeks. The rest of
the time we just spent writing, fine tuning and trying to be
perfectionists.
Darrin: How extensive do you think
the touring will be in support of this album?
Paul: Hopefully booked solid. We
took a lot of time off, so we are full of drive. We have been out
for 8 weeks now, and have toured with Saliva, Chris Daughtry. We are
doing some headlining dates. That should keep us busy through the
holidays, and then we can get out there in the new year.
Hopefully people
 will
want to come out and see us.
Darrin: What is the best part of
being out on the road for you?
Paul: The best part of touring for
us is just getting to meet the fans. Having the chance to have one
on one time with people that buy our records and talk to them
Darrin: How old were you when you
got into music? How did your parents feel about it?
Paul: I was 13. My parents were VERY supportive of my choice, even
when I told them I was going to pursue it as a career.
Darrin: Do you ever consider writing music for other people to
perform.
Paul: Definitely. Every writer
likes to write for other people. It allows you to branch out, and
write material that you would not necessarily perform yourself.
Darrin: Maybe there is a country
song in there for you?
Paul: Hey, you never know, I live
in the right part of the country to write a country song.
Darrin: Paul, thank you so much for
taking a few minutes with me today. I really appreciate the
opportunity to talk with you. I wish the best luck on tour to you
guys, and hope Anthem sells a ton!
Paul: You are welcome, and thanks! |
After
a very long rest, well deserved after one of the most grueling
schedules I have ever seen, 12 Stones has gotten the follow up to
Potter's Field ready for the public, and are now champing at the bit
to get back out on the road.