Here are some updates for those of you I have not spoken to in a month of Sundays:
My debut album was released last fall, and you can still download it from my main site at justplainpaul.com. I had developed a live set to promote the album and was able to get a handful of shows in before the end of ‘09. All of which were great fun and good opportunities.
Sadly, in January, I very unexpectedly lost my dad to a massive heart attack, and needless to say, all things were put on hold. He was one of the most important people in my life, and I would be doing him a disservice if I did not say there has been a huge void in my heart and life since.
Two weeks after his passing, while I was taking time off to deal with matters and myself, I decided I would write music in his honor. It started off well, but it became too difficult to focus on, since it was still so fresh, and was like opening the fresh wound daily to pour more salt within. I tinkered, and experimented, thought, and cried. I knew I had to do something accomplish something, but it had to be reflective and personal, yet more positive to create. My father was a positive part of my life, but all I could think or write about was that he was gone. I wanted to reflect on a time when he was here in my life, and when things were good, positive, etc.
It hit me. I decided to create an album that embraced my desire to pursue music in the first place. My parents both worked hard when I was a child, and my mother was interested in technology. She bought a Commodore 64, to which we spent many hours gaming it up, and even programming new games that came in thick magazines filled w/ tons of hard to read, and sometimes boring code.
During that time, I enjoyed the tunes on many of the games that I played for hours. Games like Aztec Challenge, Commando, The Last Ninja, all had soundtracks that turned me on to music, and synthesizers in general.
Enter “Data of the East Accolade”, my sophomore effort. This will be the second album I release within a year from the last one, but it is because I knew I had to move forward. This year has taught me life is far too short to not attempt an accomplishment or two, and I wanted this out this year to turn things around for me, and my family.
We all still miss him dearly, and realize it will take some time to fully recover from the sudden loss, but this is done in his honor.
The new tune “Robotniks” as posted previously is from the upcoming album. It is a different direction altogether than MILES, which had about 5 years of creation time. (MILES was aptly titled due to the fact that I was working a job 60 miles away, and going to college. Many miles between chances to record and create.) I wanted to focus on the emotive power of simpler songwriting, and not let my techy-glitchy addictions get in the way… much. 
While this album is not a CHIP TUNE album, it is a tribute to my childhood awareness of music, and the awesomeness that was the Commodore 64. There are hints of Sid Chip sounds here and there within the whole work, and a lot more vocals as well. My wife even contributes to a tune, and I have several close friends collaborating on the experience. It will be released in a limited edition fashion (details soon!), as well as available for download through many of the major digital outlets, etc. I hope to get some extra goodies thrown in with the physical, limited edition copies as well.
Thank you for the years of encouragement. I do appreciate my friends and listeners for taking the time to show support and love during good times and bad. I also thank my Dad for his years of support and generosity, and never dismissing my dreams as a ridiculous fancy.
I’m done typing this book. Enjoy the tune, comment away, and stay tuned for the rest of “Data of the East Accolade”.
