Paul Dutton | Interview | Exclusive Premiere of ‘Pantheon’
In the midst of a cross country move from California to his home state of New Jersey, Paul Dutton is releasing his follow up single to ‘Walls of Light’ entitled ‘Pantheon’.
As a multi-instrumentalist and recording engineer for acts like Joshua Barnhart and Strange Pilgrim among many others, he discovered his own voice and embarked on the journey of recording a solo album to be released later this year. The single ‘Pantheon’ will be officially available on all digital platforms via February 11 2021.
“How to shift the modes of the major scale under one pedal tone throughout the song.”
‘Pantheon’ is an interchanging modal soundscape. In a departure from the previously released single ‘Walls of Light’, ‘Pantheon’ is derived from more compositional elements. The pedal tone drives a plea for rationality and civility in a distinctly unrestful time. Yet the plea is directed at the songwriter himself to remain level headed and productive. Dutton again takes the helm as multi-instrumentalist and engineer, with collaborator Brett Hammond furnishing soaring guitar leads and polishing the track with his refined mixing and mastering skills.
Interview with Paul Dutton
Which happens first for you, the music or the wording? What’s the songwriting process like?
Paul Dutton: The songs usually spawn from a guitar part that I’ve written. As of late, compositional techniques like pedal tones and modal interchange have helped to write new parts and finish songs. Next is recording the guitar to a click track and tracking the drums and bass to it. Vocal melody and words usually come after I hear the music almost complete in a recording scenario.
“I’d say a common theme in my music is a continued inspiration”
What inspires you? Would you say that there’s a common thread or theme running through your music?
Lately I’ve been inspired by some of the heavy music that has been coming from Sweden such as Monolord and Witchcraft. I’d say a common theme in my music is a continued inspiration from any new or old music that I may be listening to at the time.
What can you say about ‘Pantheon’ in particular?
The music from ‘Pantheon’ was inspired by some recent music theory education that I’ve been undertaking. It was an experiment in how to shift the modes of the major scale under one pedal tone throughout the song. The lyrics I think came from a need to step back from any civil unrest and focus on what really matters which is creating art and music and hopefully through those mediums giving some sort of beauty back to the world. I feel the final product took shape as a raucous and joyous rock song filled with some great tension and release.
I would appreciate it if you can share a few words about your past recordings. Where can our readers find your music?
The songs ‘Collective’ and ‘Walls of Light’ are the first two singles for my upcoming album entitled ‘Parallel Spark’. ‘Pantheon’ will be the final single before releasing the album in the spring of 2021. My music can be heard on all streaming platforms. A short run of ‘Parallel Spark’ will also be released on vinyl as well.
Do you feel you have more control over your music as a multi-instrumentalist and recording engineer? How was it to collaborate with Brett Aaron Hammond?
A bit too much control I’d say. Fortunately, I was able to reconnect with a long time friend and collaborator Brett Aaron Hammond. I was able to let go of the reins on the mixing and mastering end of the spectrum and just focus on the songwriting and recording clean tracks.
How are you coping with the current pandemic?
After twelve years as a California resident, I felt it was time to pick up and move back to my home state of NJ. With all the uncertainty at the moment it felt most appropriate to be closer to family. It also brings other opportunities for music in the form of collaboration with my brother Michael Dutton who is also a great songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. We are in the process of recording his band’s album in our basement studio. They are called Spirit Fox. Paul Dutton
Klemen Breznikar
Paul Dutton Official Website / Bandcamp / Spotify / YouTube
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