Steven Hill
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Aficionados of Celtic, Latin, soul, country or roots music had best get to the Brackendale Art Gallery (BAG) March 11, as all those genres of music come together in the form of Juno Award-winning band The Paperboys.
Founded by Tom Landa in 1992, The Paperboys began as a Celtic pop group, but soon began to meld other roots-based and acoustic sounds to the mix.
That eclectic sound garnered the band a loyal fan base, along with rave reviews and industry accolades, a deal with Warner Music, and gigs at some of the best clubs, stages and festivals in North America and Europe.
The band has a big connection with the Sea to Sky corridor.
Former band member Cam Salay lives in Brackendale, and can usually be found performing at local music venues, as well as in Whistler at the Dubh Linn Gate.
"I played with them from 1993 to 2000," said Salay. "I just got tired of being away from home so much. It was great when you're young, but you do get tired of it. Basically, I got married, got a house and a dog."
Although officially retired from the band, Salay said he still gets to play with The Paperboys from time to time, and still helps out on the group's CDs.
"Tom (Landa) started it and a few players went through the band before I came on board," he said. "We eventually fell into a five-piece group and recorded our first album. Tom and I are the only ones who have been on every recording."
The band's latest offering is called Road to Ellenside, and will b officially available in Canada in June, according to head Paperboy Tom Landa.
"Ellenside is the name of the house where we recorded it in England," said Landa. "We have been putting a stronger Latin feel over the past few records, but with this one there is really a strong Latin and Mexican influence on the songs."
That Latin/Mexican influence was inevitable, Landa said.
"I was born and raised in Mexico, so it is my heritage and I'm sort of digging back into that," he said. "Last year I received the Canada Council grant and went down to Mexico to study music. Part of what I studied was showcased on the new record."
The second half of the album was recorded in Ontario, with Salay lending a hand again.
The Paperboys will play the BAG March 11, and then head to Whistler March 15 at MY Millennium Place.
"After our shows in March, we will be heading to Europe in April," said Landa.
