Articles By Chris Paul
PHOTOS from Umphrey's McGee at The Stone Pony
2023 celebrates the 25th anniversary for eclectic improv-rock band Umphrey's McGee. Recently the band was thrown a curveball due to drummer, Kris Meyers, placement on the IR list. Meyers underwent shoulder surgery and will be missing UM fall tour. Improvising, UM has officially started fall tour with notable guest drummers behind the kit. On Thursday August 17, 2023 this experiment began at the Stone Pony in Asbury Park, NJ. First up performing was Duane Trucks of Widespread Panic.
published on 08/19/2023
An Interview with Ryan Stasik of Umphrey's McGee
Umphrey’'s Mcgee is an eclectic improv-rock band originally from South Bend, IN. This year, Umphrey's is celebrating its 25th anniversary with an active tour schedule and release of their album, "Asking for a Friend". Umphrey's Mcgee members include Brendan Bayliss (guitar), Jake Cinniger (guitar), Joel Cummings (keyboard instrument), Andy Farag (percussions), Kris Meyers (drum kit), and Ryan Stasik (bass guitar). On Thursday, August 17, 2023, Umphrey's Mcgee will return to the Stone Pony in Asbury Park, NJ. This performance has become an annual tradition for the band, and I had the opportunity to speak with Ryan Stasik in anticipation of the rocking event.
published on 08/12/2023
PHOTOS from Trey Anastasio Band at Stone Pony Summer Stage
On the morning of July 7, 2023, I got the best news! My request to photograph the Trey Anastasio Band (TAB) at the Stone Pony in Asbury Park, NJ came through. This show was originally scheduled back in 2021, but thanks to Covid-19 did not take place until two years later. Trey Anastasio even remarked at the start of the show, "it's great to be here, we were supposed to be here two years, but couldn’t be thanks to something. That something is gone now, and we are here!" Adding to the excitement of the news I got that morning, was that this show was sold out and the buzz in the air as I arrived in Asbury Park at the beginning of sound check was electric.
published on 07/10/2023
PHOTOS from The Disco Biscuits at Count Basie Center for the Arts
(RED BANK, NJ) -- The Disco Biscuits performed at Count Basie Center for the Arts on June 15, 2023 and photographer Chris Paul was there to cover the show. The band originally formed as a Phish cover band at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia in 1995.
published on 06/16/2023
A Special Night: Lotus at the Capitol Theater
Two days before Chuck & Charley Morris (Lotus' percussionist and his son) disappeared on Beaver Lake in Benton County Arkansas I had a nightmare. I was rolling over and over uncontrollably in the dream and it almost felt I was drowning. I woke up in a panic overwhelmed by how real that dream felt. Little did I know that shortly ahead my joy for music, specifically for Lotus would suffer a similar faith as in my nightmare.
published on 05/10/2023
PHOTOS from Greensky Bluegrass at Count Basie Center for the Arts
(RED BANK, NJ) -- Greensky Bluegrass performed at Count Basie Center for the Arts in Red Bank on January 18, 2023 and photographer Chris Paul was there to take photos. Chris also interviewed Mike Bont, banjo player for Greensky Bluegrass, ahead of the show and that interview can be found here.
published on 01/25/2023
Lotus at Union Transfer in Philadelphia
Lotus kicked of their 2023 winter tour on 1/21/23 and the horizons for this tour and beyond are soaring. The energy entering Union Transfer in Philadelphia was electric heightened by the Philly faithful out to enjoy a hometown show even as the Eagles prepared to continue a playoff run against rival NY Giants. Yes, the Eagles won and as a Giants fan, I was not fazed by this blow-out, thanks to having my mind blown by such an energetic effort by the hometown favorite band. Echoes of fly Eagles fly filled the air as Lotus struck fast with a first set that features some known bangers with a slow hypnotical journey through the precision that is Lotus’s technique and structure.
published on 01/22/2023
An Interview with Mike Greenfield from Lotus
On Saturday January 21, 2023, Lotus began their 2023 winter tour with a hometown show at Union Transfer in Philadelphia, PA. I was able to chat with Mike Greenfield, the drummer for Lotus about the highlights for him from 2022 and what lies ahead for Lotus in 2023.
published on 01/22/2023
PHOTOS from Umphrey's Mcgee at The Fillmore in Philly
(PHILADELPHIA, PA) -- Umphrey's McGee, the eclectic improv-rock band, came to The Fillmore in Philadelphia on January 14, 2023 and photographer Chris Paul was on hand to take photos. The band consists of Brendan Bayliss (Guitar, Vocals); Jake Cinninger (Guitar, Vocals); Joel Cummins (Keyboard, Piano, Vocals); Andy Farag (Percussion); Kris Myers (Drums, Vocals); and Ryan Stasik (Bass, No Vocals).
published on 01/16/2023
An Interview with Mike Bont of Greensky Bluegrass
On Wednesday, January 18, 2023, Greensky Bluegrass returns to the Garden State to perform at the historic Count Basie Center for the Performing Arts in Red Bank, NJ. In anticipation of this show, I was able to talk with Mike Bont, banjo player for Greensky Bluegrass, about the stellar year the band had in 2022 and his anticipation for what lies ahead in 2023.
published on 01/07/2023
PHOTOS from Greensky Bluegrass & The Wood Brothers in Seaside Heights
(SEASIDE HEIGHTS, NJ) -- Greensky Bluegrass brought their tour to Seaside Heights on August 13, 2022 and The Wood Brothers, who have been touring with Greensky, opened the night. Photographer Chris Paul was there to take photos.
published on 08/15/2022
PHOTOS from Lotus at The Bourbon Room
(ATLANTIC CITY, NJ) -- Lotus performed at The Bourbon Room in Atlantic City on August 5, 2022 and photographer Chris Paul was on hand to take photos.The band, which has performed at festivals like Bonnaroo, Outside Lands, Ultra, and Rothbury, has steadily built a devote fan base through steady touring. They've also crafted a unique musical style outside of simple genre limitations. Equal parts instrumental post-rock and electronic dance, the band’s distinguishing feature is the ability to maintain a decidedly unique musical voice and remain current while bucking passing trends.
published on 08/07/2022
PHOTOS from Lotus at Union Transfer
Lotus performed two nights (May 13-14) at Union Transfer in Philadelphia, PA and photographer Chris Paul was on hand to grab some photos. The band, which has performed at festivals like Bonnaroo, Outside Lands, Ultra, and Rothbury, has steadily built a devote fan base through steady touring. They've also crafted a unique musical style outside of simple genre limitations. Equal parts instrumental post-rock and electronic dance, the band’s distinguishing feature is the ability to maintain a decidedly unique musical voice and remain current while bucking passing trends.
published on 05/18/2022
PHOTOS from The New Deal On Back To Back Nights
The New Deal came to Ardmore Music Hall in Ardmore, PA on February 21, 2020 and Brooklyn Bowl in NYC on February 22, 2020 and photographer Chris Paul was on hand both nights to take some pics. With over 1400 legendary late nights, sold-out clubs and triumphant festivals under their belts, The New Deal returned in 2019 with ‘TND3' – the third incarnation of the renowned live electronica trio: Jamie Shields (keyboards), Dan Kurtz (bass), and new drummer Davide Di Renzo.
published on 03/27/2020
PHOTOS from The New Deal at Wonder Bar
The New Deal came to The Wonder Bar in Asbury Park on February 20, 2020 and photographer Chris Paul was on hand to take some pics. With over 1400 legendary late nights, sold-out clubs and triumphant festivals under their belts, The New Deal returned in 2019 with ‘TND3' – the third incarnation of the renowned live electronica trio: Jamie Shields (keyboards), Dan Kurtz (bass), and new drummer Davide Di Renzo.
published on 03/05/2020
