Alex plays bass. Alex is in a band. That band’s name is Paulson. Paulson makes awesome music. If you’ve never heard Paulson, well shame on you. They are one of those rare bands that envelope you in their music and deliver something that is better described as an experience. Don’t believe me? Check them out here. While you’re jamming out to their new tunes, read below, it’ll be awesome. I promise. 
Dnothing: How did you guys meet each other?
Alex: It’s not that interesting really. We all went to the same high school, played in different local bands, had mutual friends, yadda yadda yadda. I should make up a more exciting response to this question someday.
Dnothing: How did the name, Paulson, come about?
Alex: It’s Nosluap backwards.
Dnothing: Would you say you all have similar musical tastes or is Paulson a combination of different musical desires?
Alex: It’s definitely a combination. Think back to high school math – remember those Venn diagrams? They have a number of circles that all overlap and in the center where all of the overlap lies that’s you’re answer. You could say Paulson is like that with its members. We all drift around the musical spectrum, but have a tiny sliver of overlap which makes our music sound like it does. Unfortunately, the overlap sometimes changes too often, so we never really stay totally put with one style.
Dnothing: Is there another album in the works?
Alex: Yes. We have around 20 songs written for it.
Dnothing: What advice would you give a new band going on tour for the first time?
Alex: If you’re dropping everything in your life to do it, make sure you have the infrastructure in place. Don’t tour without a record, merch or any sort of fanbase. With the internet it’s so much easier than it used to be to get yourself fans in other areas before you get there. Also, tour places that make sense. Don’t go all the way to California if you’re from Boston and can’t get out to Cali soon enough for people not to forget you were there. Most states have a number of cities worth playing. Develop yourselves in those markets and then expand outward. But if you’re just doing it for fun and not dropping your life for it, do whatever you want because in that sense you’re going on vacation, not going to work.
Dnothing: Do you guys have a favorite city to visit or stop in on tour?
Alex: We like going anywhere that we draw a large and enthusiastic crowd. We started out DIY so a lot of our best spots are B markets that were easier for us to get booked in all those years ago. Wichita Falls, TX, Fort Myers, FL, Greensboro, NC, etc. We also love the standard spots like NYC, Seattle, and Dallas.
Dnothing: From the Ridiculous/Engine EP to All at Once, how would you say you guys have grown as artists?
Alex: We learned to play better, write more coherently, gained a better sense of melody and have become more comfortable playing in front of people. Life on the road really tightens your band up and the threat of failure, after you put your entire life on hold, really motivates you to work your ass off.
Dnothing: What were some stand out albums from 2008, in your opinion?
Alex: Oh shit. In no particular order: Coldplay – Viva La Vida, Cut Copy – In Ghost Colours, Van She – V, Kanye West – 808’s and Heartbreaks. I think those all came out in 2008, right?
Dnothing: What first got you interested in music?
Alex: Nirvana, Pearl Jam, and the idea that it makes you cooler than everyone else – if you know how to do it and not totally suck. When I got older, I was into music for other reasons like the craft of it, initially it was wanting to be a rockstar and wanting to be cooler than everyone else.
Dnothing: What are some things you guys enjoy doing when you have downtime on tour?
Alex: We have so many friends around the country. We really just love going to bars with them in whatever city we happen to be at. We also love searching out awesome restaurants and eating great food. Of course we also love movies, partying, sleeping, crossword puzzles and thinking up stupid jokes and games to play. We have this one called “Watermelon Helmet” where our singer, Logan, puts half of a watermelon over his head and we take turns punching him in the face. The watermelon absorbs all the impact so no one gets hurt. Nonetheless it’s messy and we only play it when we’re wasted.
Dnothing: Are there any bands you’d like to tour with that you haven’t had the opportunity to yet?
Alex: So many. Are we talking realistic touring opportunities or fantasy ones? I’d love to hit the road with Cut Copy or Van She or Daft Punk. Something that just brings the party you know? Of course there’s also a million bands we’d never fit with but we totally love like Radiohead, Bjork, Nine Inch Nails, etc.
Dnothing: In your opinion, is it important to never take yourself too seriously as a band?
Alex: Yes and no. Take yourself seriously when it comes to business, because so many people will try and fuck you and take what you’ve made. But when it comes to yourself or your music, just do it for you and do what you like doing. If you’re not having fun you should probably rethink your career path.
Dnothing: What has been the defining moment, thus far, for you as a musician?
Alex: I wouldn’t even know where to begin with this. Most of the things that I always thought would be my top goals end up getting accomplished and I have to raise the bar. I recorded All At Once on this bass that Jeff Tweedy from Wilco used to use. That was rad. Our record came out in Japan and I have all of these Paulson CDs and promotional things in Japanese. That was rad. Bands I looked up to when I was younger like Thursday became fans of my band and took us on the road. That was rad. I’m on TV sometimes. That’s pretty cool. Honestly, I think maybe just every time we go back to a town and there’s more kids than the time before and they’re all dancing their sweaty little butts off, that might be the most satisfying and defining moment. Every time it happens I’m overwhelmed and exhilarated.
Dnothing: What can fans look forward for from Paulson in 2009?
Alex: Hopefully a new record and if I have my way a whole ton of touring. But who knows what the future holds. We can only wait and see!
