Cree Musician PaulStar’s Debut Album Bring It All Together Fuses Indigenous Roots with Rock and Pop Influences
PaulStar, a.k.a. Paul Napash, the multi-talented Cree musician, artist, and producer hailing from Chisasibi, Quebec, is set to make a significant impact on the music industry with the release of his first full-length album, Bring It All Together.
With a blend of influences from his Indigenous roots and his love of alternative rock, pop, and hip-hop, the versatile artist’s newly released record is a testament to his musical evolution. When creating “Bring It All Together”, PaulStar underwent an introspective journey, propelled by his passion to elevate the voices of Indigenous people while taking inspiration from his favourite bands.
Every track on the album showcases a different facet of PaulStar’s identity and creative vision, drawing from his own experiences and the hardships encountered by Indigenous communities.
“I always wanted to be a rock star and I loved the 80s music growing up in Chisasibi,” shares PaulStar. “I learned quickly through private instruction and self-teaching, even though I didn’t attend music school. My goal is to leave my mark in the music industry and ‘Bring It All Together’ encouraged me to demonstrate my guitar skills and vocal range.”
The energetic musical journey of Bring It All Together takes listeners on a journey through a wide range of themes, from love to self-discovery. Highlights of the album’s versatility include the raw, intimate performance of “Rain” and the genre-spanning prowess of “Home With You” and “Perfect Love.”
PaulStar explains,
“The bulk of my songs were crafted and recorded in my former apartment, where I drew inspiration from popular tracks and exceptional talent found on streaming platforms.” He continues, “I recorded ‘Timeless’ at my residence in Smiths Falls. The sound of the acoustic guitar inspired me to write about leaving a legacy in the song.”
PaulStar, who founded Meikin Records and is a graduate of Algonquin College’s Music Industry Arts program, is well-known in the music industry. The acclaim he has received for his work as a producer and session player has been reinforced by his collaborations with artists like Claire Sully, Arrow, Shonna, CJAY GRiZ, Slice, Money-1, Melody McArthur, Violent Ground, K.A.S.P. Aspects.
“Music has always been my passion,” reflects PaulStar. “With ‘Bring It All Together,’ I hope to inspire others to embrace their heritage, follow their dreams, and never give up on what they believe in.”
Care to introduce yourself?
My name is Paul Napash, but I am professionally known as PaulStar. I come from Chisasibi, and my mother is from Waskaganish, both located in Northern Quebec. I am a multi-instrumentalist, performer, session player, 3-time nominated producer, songwriter, engineer, and the CEO of my record label, Meikin Records. I have been in the music business for almost three decades now. I started my musical journey as a guitarist, coming from a very musical family. My father is a musician who can play multiple instruments, and my uncles were in a band in the mid to late 70s.
When I was ten years old, I started learning chords and playing songs by ear. Every year, I learned a new instrument until my guitar mentor, Robert Bobbish, introduced me to some rock guitar skills, such as fast shredding licks or scales.
Later on, I was able to play guitar solos on any song with my own personal style. My brother and I played at local talent shows, music festivals across the James Bay Region, and pretty much almost all the Cree communities.
However, I didn’t know much about the music business until my late 20s and early 30s when I went to Algonquin College to study and graduated from the Music Industry Arts in 2017. After graduation, I started my record label, Meikin Records (formerly PaulStar Entertainment), and it’s been great lately. The artists I have on the roster are CJAY GRiZ, Slice, Money-1, Arrow, Shonna, and Claire Sully – to name a few. You can see the complete list at www.meikinrecords.com.
Tell us about the process of recording “Perfect Love”?
I recorded this song in a simple way. I started playing it on the piano with a basic chord progression. I wrote this song back in high school in the early 2000s, but I never found the right time to perfect it until a couple of years ago. The chords and melodies stayed the same, but I refined the lyrics before putting the song on my new album, ‘Bring It All Together.’ I matched the sound with other songs, and they blend in perfectly.
What’s it like being an artist in Quebec, where you live?
Growing up in Chisasibi, Northern Quebec, I encountered various challenges and problems, such as being bullied at school and getting into fights during my teenage years. Although things were a bit different in Waskaganish, and people were generally kind, I still encountered bullies here and there. My life was difficult, but music provided me with an escape and a means to express my emotions. I strongly believe that other artists based in Quebec may have also experienced similar traumas. In fact, many people across Canada face comparable life experiences and issues.
Who was the first and most recent Canadian artist to blow you away?
As a child, Bryan Adams was my favorite Canadian artist. His rock ballads left a lasting impression on me. Today, my new favorite Canadian artist is The Weeknd. He is an incredibly talented songwriter and artist. Both of these artists have greatly influenced my sound and style. I have a lot of artists that I listen to in the US and UK as well.
You’ve been making music for a bit of time now, what’s one piece of advice you can offer to those starting out?
Making music can be a lot of fun once you have the necessary skills. For those who are just starting out, it’s important to learn the basics first. This includes understanding things like rhythm, chords, scales, and melodies. There is a wealth of free resources available on YouTube, as well as music books that can be found at any music store or library.
If you’re interested in the business side of the music industry, you can apply for Music Business programs at Algonquin College, Recording Arts Canada, Trebas Institute, or Seneca. These are some of the best schools for this field. Additionally, if you’re into producing or live music, you should consider attending a Recording Arts school.
Finally, it’s important to remember that networking is key for any artist who wants to have a successful career. So, make sure to connect with others in the industry and build relationships that can help you along the way.