Minnesota-based artist/songwriter Paul Nye is a throwback to the days when artists like Dylan, The Beatles and Crosby Stills Nash & Young gave us albums that were exceptionally eclectic.
Nye’s new album Songs Well-Traveled has echoes of those artists, plus Al Kooper’s organ whoosh and the guitar stylings of Jeff Beck and Bruce Cockburn.
In short, it’s a fabulous album.
Some of the songs have lyrical bite, like the Mark Knopfler-esque “Everybody Wants To Be An Adjective”. Others are musically spellbinding, like the fantastic guitar work on “Freefall Fusion”.
There’s a remarkable breadth of topics explored on Nye’s new collection. That’s in stark contrast to many of today’s top artists like Taylor Swift, who is mega-talented but never strays far from relationship drama.
Most of today’s pop music has an extraordinarily narrow focus. Shoe-gaze music is dreamy and detached, while bedroom pop is mainly about boyfriends and breakups. Paul Nye’s new album is a refreshing reminder that there’s a world of wonders out there (to cite Bruce Cockburn) – and it’s fun to explore all of life, not just a tiny sliver of it.
Your new album is amazingly eclectic, from reggae to the Dylan-esque “A Song Well-Traveled” to “Marbles” (which has a Beach Boys feel). Who were your three biggest musical influences growing up?
The Beatles had a huge impact on me when I was young, but I also loved The Association, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, Eric Burdon and the Animals. I’m still a huge fan of Canadian artist Bruce Cockburn.
Your guitar work on “Freefall Fusion” is amazing! Reminds me of John Fahey and Jeff Beck. Who were your favorite guitarists growing up?
Two classmates in college taught me fingerpicking, and I dedicated the album to them and other musician friends I toured with. My style grew from Travis-style picking to finger-style, inspired by Australian guitarists Tommy Emmanuel and Joe Robinson. Joe is a major influence, and I still take online lessons from him. He’s an incredible guitarist and teacher.
Your entire album really connected with me because it’s real. You write about faith, boyhood, kindness to others, getting to retire, and a whole lot more. In contrast, most pop music today sticks exclusively to Topic A: boyfriend/girlfriend songs for people in their 20s. Do you think that people are hungering for music that’s about the entirety of life, not just romantic crushes and breakups?
The 20-year-old market drives a lot of the music industry, which is why those themes are popular. My Christian faith and curiosity shape my songwriting, focusing on deeper life questions and positivity. My dad, who worked in the physics department at the University of MN, taught me to question everything, which greatly influenced my music and my outlook on life. I’ve always been a curious person, which is probably why I chose a career as a journalist when I was younger. I aim to inspire people to think beyond their daily lives and consider greater purposes. Whether it sells product or not, I’m committed to this approach, and it seems to resonate with my audience.
You’re selling CDs of your music and getting an income from that. Do you think more artists will do that, given that streaming pays so poorly?
I don’t measure success by sales or popularity. My audience still buys CDs and appreciates diverse content beyond typical pop themes. Identifying and catering to your audience is crucial. The CD market isn’t what it used to be, but it’s still viable and there are small indications that it could even make a comeback like vinyl. There are many revenue streams for artists today, but for me, it’s about creating music and bringing joy, while evoking some challenge in my listeners’ lives that gets them to see beyond themselves. Lindsey O’Halloran from Tribl Records once said, “Paul brings brutal honesty to his songs, but it is always met with hope and an answer to the problem he is calling out.” I think that sums up my music well.
Why do so many Baby Boomers cling to their youthful favorites (Eagles, Beatles, etc.) instead of listening to new music like yours… or artists like Maggie Rogers and Caroline Polachek?
Probably because it evokes good memories. Many people live in their past, feeling uncertain about the future. Our present and future will become memories, and music plays a huge role in that. It evokes strong emotions and memories, which can be very powerful. Music from the era of the Eagles, Beach Boys, and Beatles was more organic and had stronger melodic structures and deeper lyrics, generally speaking. Today’s music is more diverse but often focuses on rhythm and beats. It’s not about good or bad—just different tastes and cultural influences… or whatever ticks your cultural clock.
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