Paula Boggs has written and recorded four full-length albums fronting the Paula Boggs Band, and has also recorded two EPs. She is a voting member and a Governor of The Recording Academy, Pacific Northwest Chapter Board, and member of the Americana Music Association.
Paula and her band mate Darren Loucas will join seven other finalists to network and compete at the NewSong Performance & Songwriting Competition finals on Saturday, January 11, at Citizen Vinyl. Find tickets here.
NewSong Music: What sort of music was playing in your house when you were growing up?
Paula: I grew up Catholic but my mom was African Methodist Episcopal, so in my home I heard the music of both faith traditions. My dad was actually a cantor in our parish church. Beyond church music we played mostly Motown in my house. By attending Catholic school I got exposed to folk music by Peter, Paul and Mary, Bob Dylan, The Byrds, Simon & Garfunkel, etc. At 13, my family moved to Europe and while there I got exposed to jazz, classical, Europop, top 40s rock/pop and a broader range of folk, including the works of Joni Mitchell.
What inspired you to become a songwriter?
At age 10 I started writing songs shortly after learning how to play guitar. Guitar was the main instrument I heard when listening to folk music in school and its poetry mesmerized me. I wanted to do that too. The first song I ever wrote was “Ozymandias,” about an imaginary dog. I’m pretty sure Peter, Paul and Mary’s “Puff The Magic Dragon” inspired it.
If you could partner with another living songwriter to co-write a song, who would it be?
Bruce Springsteen. The canvas he paints through song has wowed me since I first discovered his music in my college years.
What attracted you to submit your song(s) to the NewSong Competition?
Most songs I write, and our band performs, are rooted in storytelling. The NewSong Competition is prestigious and rewards songwriting so we decided to apply. We also love Asheville, having played at the now closed Isis back in 2017.
Do you have any recent or forthcoming projects to tell us about?
We recorded our 5th studio album Sumatra last summer at Grammy-winning Tucker Martine’s Portland, OR studio. It releases in 2025 and features The Blind Boys of Alabama and Brandi Carlile’s longtime cellist Josh Neumann among other guest artists.
