Paul Nourigat plays the hand he’s dealt in his new folk-rock single Bad Cards — showcasing today on Tinnitist.
A preview of his upcoming album Smiles That Pass By, the singer-songwriter’s latest single is a laidback number laced with hard-earned wisdom and Paul’s son Nick Nourigat on electric guitar alongside an array of killer session musicians. It’s a darkest-before-dawn type of song with inspiring lyrics:
“Sun comes up each morning like a washing machine
Fixes up our messes, helps us all get clean
It’s OK to get beaten down, then set yourself free
When I’m down, I remember, there’s a lotta folks worse off than me.”
“As one of my 10 life lessons on this album, this song is about how we all get dealt bad cards,” Nourigat says. “Life can really suck for all of us. Most happy people are not in a good place by chance, they get there through perseverance, hope, and perspective.”
Speaking of perseverance: Nourigat had been a “musical bystander” his whole life. Five years ago, however, he picked up a guitar and five thoughtfully themed albums later he hasn’t looked back. With steely determination and no formal musical training, Paul learned to play ukulele, guitar, sing, write songs and produce.
Today he has a richly diverse catalog of songs that traverse folk, country, rock, and blues. The Portland, Oregon artist’s album Smiles That Pass By, due in early 2024, stands out in his oeuvre for being his most uplifting and empowering. It features 10 original songs brimming with universally resonant personal stories and a-ha moments, reaching across genres and generations.
“I’m at a point in life where I’m compelled to share what’s on my mind,” says Paul, who turns 65 in November. “Having experienced many highs and lows, I’ve come out of the extremes stronger for the experiences, which is the essence of the lyrics for each song on Smiles That Pass By.”
Paul’s broad sweep of the Americana landscape recalls such artists as Slaid Cleaves, Guy Clark, The Lumineers and Jim Lauderdale. Each of his songs occupies its own unique roots-flavored world, and Paul, with his producer and guitarist extraordinaire Adam Selzer, curate just the right mix of musicians for the personality of each track.
At the heart of Paul’s songs is his life. Growing up, his family moved around internationally and nationally as a result of his father’s military career, and he lived in 12 homes by the time he graduated high school. This transient existence forced his sense of independence and mindfulness of the world around him. Just after high school, he survived a brutal and humbling motorcycle accident that claimed a few digits on his shattered hands, after which he discounted playing musical instruments. That is, until his wife of 40 years signed him up for a group ukulele session, which led to guitars, writing over 150 songs, and the rest is history.
“My songs speak to people who want to hear stories,” Paul says. He crafts each album with well-developed overarching themes, and each song features narratives with classic story arcs, including sweet resolutions.
Watch the video for Bad Cards above, hear more from Paul Nourigat below, and join the game on his website, Facebook and Instagram.
