THE MUSIC IS OUT THERE
By Nicky Baldrian
Hailing from Victoria BC, Canada, we find blues artist PAUL BLACK. He has an excellent new eleven track album out now called ‘Beautiful Sin’ which clocks in at around forty-one minutes long and is the artist’s third full length release.
The sun is setting on a Friday evening and blues artist Paul Black has just finished set up and sound check for a show in downtown Victoria. He is chilling out with an Irish whiskey and a quick bite. “Fortunately, for me, there’s a back patio that I have all to myself on the second floor of an old two-story red brick character building that was converted into a live venue,” he smiles. With guitar in hand he starts going over the setlist all the while thinking about how to promote and market the fabulous new album that he has just released. Paul believes that what makes the band unique comes from the mix of influences that shaped him growing up. His musical journey started with a deep love for hard rock and metal, and it was only later that he was drawn to the raw, expressive power of the blues. “That combination gives our sound a certain edge -a grit and intensity that brings a fresh, almost aggressive energy to the blues genre,” he expresses.
Originally, Paul dreamed of becoming a professional soccer player. “I was all in, completely focused on making it in the world of football. But at seventeen, that dream came to a halt when an ankle surgery took me out of the game for good. Life had other plans, though,” he smiles. For his sixteenth birthday, he had received a Sears guitar, complete with a little plastic amp. “It sat mostly untouched in the corner until one night, when a friend and I decided to see what it could do. We cranked that amp up as high as it would go – past ten, maybe twelve – until it literally caught fire. That was the moment I realized there might be something for me in music, something as exhilarating as any goal I could’ve scored on the field. That blend of my rock roots and love for the blues drives our music today. It’s the intensity and rawness of metal meeting the soul and storytelling of the blues. That fusion has become the heartbeat of our sound,” he enthuses. When he is not wrapped up in writing, playing, or recording music, he loves taking time to hit the open road with a few buddies on their bikes. “Just cruising along the island coast and soaking in the scenery. There’s something freeing about riding with friends, just the sound of the engines and the sea breeze, no destination in mind. I also enjoy fishing whenever I can sneak out for a bit -it’s the perfect way to unwind and clear my head. But honestly, if I’m not focused on music or doing gigs, you’ll usually find me at home with my wife and two kids. Family time means everything to me, and it’s where I really recharge. Whether it’s cooking together, playing games, or just hanging out and talking, these moments keep me grounded. Watching my kids grow, seeing the joy in their faces, and having that time with my wife make all the hard work worth it. They’re the reason I do what I do, and being with them reminds me what really matters,” he enthuses.
‘Beautiful Sin’ is a collection of songs that spans nearly a decade of Paul’s life. “Each track capturing different moments, moods, and stories along the way. Some of these songs were written years ago, and they’ve evolved over time as I kept revisiting them, adding layers, or shifting their direction as I grew as an artist and person. Even in the final days leading up to the studio sessions, I found myself inspired to keep rewriting lyrics, refining melodies, and even writing entirely new pieces that fit the energy and themes emerging in the album,” he explains to me. Each song became a living piece of his journey, almost like a musical diary that reflects the ups and downs, the lessons, and the transformations that he has experienced over the years. “There were moments of doubt, moments of clarity, and everything in between, all of which ended up shaping the sound and feel of this project. Working on this album felt like a continuous creative process – each new track and revision helped me understand a bit more about myself and what I wanted to say. By the time I hit the studio, I knew this was going to be something special, a project that really captures where I’ve been and where I’m heading. It’s raw, it’s real, and it tells the story of my past ten years in a way that feels genuine and true to me.” ‘Beautiful Sin’ stands apart from Paul’s previous releases in a lot of ways, not least of which is where and how it was recorded. “We did the entire project at One Ton Studios in Victoria, BC- a space that really let us capture a warm, authentic sound. Working with Wynn Gogol as both producer and Hammond player brought a unique layer to the album, as his dual role allowed for an incredibly seamless integration of his vision and musical contributions. Wynn’s presence behind the board and on the keys helped shape the album in ways I hadn’t experienced before,” he smiles. The guys actually started recording just before the pandemic hit. “When COVID forced us to press pause, the album became a much longer, more involved project. When we finally got back into the studio, I felt differently about some of the original recordings, so I made the decision to re-record several tracks. This turned out to be a blessing in disguise, giving me the chance to refine and reshape parts of the album with a fresh perspective. Each re-recorded track took on new life, with added depth and emotion that may not have been there initially. The result is an album that feels richer, more mature, and truly reflective of everything we went through to make it happen.” His highlight of the album was the journey itself. “Every twist, turn, and challenge that came with recording it. We recorded at One Ton Studios in Victoria, BC, a space that truly feels like home for this project. The vibe there was perfect for capturing the organic, raw sound I was going for. Working with Wynn Gogol, who was both the producer and the Hammond player on the album, made the experience even more rewarding. Having him there in both roles meant we could constantly bounce ideas off each other and experiment without missing a beat. His input added a whole new layer to the music, especially with the depth and warmth of the Hammond organ weaving through the tracks,” he expresses. One of his most memorable parts of the process was navigating the impact of COVID. “We started recording just before the pandemic hit, but when everything shut down, we had to put the project on hold. It felt like the momentum had stalled, but when we finally returned to the studio, I came back with a fresh perspective. Listening to those early recordings, I realized there was room to take the songs even further, so I ended up re-recording a lot of the tracks. This second round in the studio felt almost like rediscovering the album – I had a deeper connection to the music, and the tracks had more intensity and emotion than before. That sense of growth and rediscovery became the highlight of the entire process, and it’s something that I believe you can feel when you listen to the final product.” Paul’s highlight of the album was when the guys finally got the bed tracks nailed down. “With that foundation set, I could let loose, layering gritty guitar parts and pushing my vocals to the edge. I didn’t hold back -I tried different harmonies, played with raw textures, anything that would give the tracks more bite. Bringing in a couple of killer backup singers was a game-changer too; their voices added this soulful, almost haunting vibe that made certain songs hit even harder. There was something addictive about those late nights, just piling on layers and seeing the music get more intense with every pass. But honestly, the best part? Holding that finished album in my hands after all those sleepless nights and rough sessions. It’s like you can feel every hour you put in. Hearing the final cut, knowing we’d pushed ourselves to the limit -that’s a high like nothing else,” he says with satisfaction.
The live shows have been going incredibly well for the guys. “The momentum surrounding the new album is exciting. We were honoured to receive a nomination for Blues Album of the Year from the Western Canadian Music Awards (WCMA), Additionally, performing at the Toronto Jazz Festival was a fantastic experience that brought the band’s sound to a new audience. Our main goal now is to tour extensively, bringing the new album to as many stages as possible, with hopes to expand internationally and reach new audiences overseas. Since the album’s release, the band has performed over twenty live shows, along with numerous solo performances. It’s been a busy period, but it’s also a rewarding one, with each performance allowing us to connect more deeply with fans. Moving forward, I’m aiming to elevate the momentum even further in 2025, increasing our live appearances and solidifying our presence both locally and abroad.” In the near future, he is planning to get back into the studio, hopefully within the next year. “Over the past four years, I’ve been writing non-stop, so I’ve built up a solid collection of material that I’m excited to bring to life. It feels like I’ve got enough songs and ideas to fill not just one album but maybe even two. This time around, I want to push my sound even further, experimenting with different styles and bringing in some new instruments that I haven’t worked with before. I also hope to collaborate with a few other artists whose work I admire, adding some fresh perspectives to the mix. The goal is to have everything ready for a 2026 release, which feels ambitious but realistic. I’ve been craving the energy of the studio again- the late nights, the trial and error, the moments where everything just clicks. There’s something powerful about capturing those raw moments, and I can’t wait to dive back into that creative chaos. By the time 2026 rolls around, I want to have an album that reflects the journey I’ve been on and where I’m headed next. I’m ready to take everything I’ve learned and channel it into something even bigger and bolder,” concludes Paul, bringing an end to our conversation. ‘Beautiful Sin’ is available now on CD, Vinyl, and all online and streaming sites, Highly recommended.
POWERPLAY MAGAZINE ISSUE #279
