The band was formed in 1991 by vocalist and songwriter Tom Landa. The band currently consists of Landa, Kendel Carson on fiddle, Brad Gillard on banjo and bass, Geoffrey Kelly on flutes, and Matt Brain on drums. Occasional guests include Cam Salay on banjo and bass, Damian Graham on drums, Tobin Frank on bass and accordion, and Vince Mai on trumpet.

Mexican Son Jarocho mixed in with Irish Jigs and Reels and a good dose of Country and Bluegrass. It has healthy servings of Ska, Soca and African Highlife and we've been known to throw in a little White Boy Reggae. Of course it also has strains of Soul, Pop and Funk although we are by no means a funk band. It is mostly Acoustic although we also like Electric guitars. It is Singer-Songwriter based but not the coffee house variety. It is definitely FOLK music, but not in the Kumbaya style.

It has a deep respect and appreciation for tradition (Bluegrass, Old Time, Celtic, Son) but it's by no means Traditional. It Rocks incredibly hard and is extremely danceable, but that is not to say it can't be mellow and slow and beautiful. It can be heart breaking, but also joyous. It is never dark or angst ridden, and always full of hope - but not in the 'Up With People' kind of way. It's not Jazz, although we like Jazz a lot.

It's not heavy metal or punk or grunge, although we love Rush and AC/DC. It is World Roots Music. It's POP music. It is GOOD music. It has a tendency to connect people and means a lot to many folks the world over, and for that we are very grateful. It is the only multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, multi-generational, multi-lingual, multi-instrumental, genre bending, co-ed band you will hear today!!

It's been said The Paperboys' music is hard to describe. Truth is, you could add rock, Son Jarocho, and world beat to that list too. Call it 'Guinness with a tequila chaser while listening to an Americana Jukebox'. Or 'a place where Irish, Mexican and Roots music collide.'

Of course, this multicultural mix is hardly surprising from a bilingual band, whose founding member is Mexican-Canadian and whose players cover a range of musical backgrounds from Bluegrass to Funk to traditional Scots and Irish music.

"A lot has to do with where we're from," says lead singer Tom Landa. "Vancouver is a culturally diverse place which feeds what we do and the music we make."

"Yes, we cover a lot of musical territory and have a lot of influences. There is a lot I can tell you about the music. But what it isn't is something that you can easily put into a little box and say "oh, this is Celtic" or "this is folk." We are much more than that."

Meanwhile, critics from Billboard to the Washington Post don't have any trouble describing the Paperboys sound.

"Astonishing eclectic folk-rock from acclaimed Canadian quintet."
Mojo's Jonny Black.

"A mix of Eagles laced alt-country, Tower of Power horns and gospel choirs, reminiscent of early Elton John and Van Morrison."
Americana UK Magazine

'One of the most exciting bands to come out of the folk-roots corner'
- fRoots Magazine'

‘The Paperboys' energy and enthusiasm are always a delight, and if I had to pick a band to follow around on tour, I couldn't think of a better candidate.’
– Rambles Cultural Arts Magazine

"The most exuberant record I've heard in ages...breathtaking." Folk
Roots Magazine

‘Once heard, you will cross mountains, valleys, floods and tempests to see this band wherever they play. Be ready to travel - even if they play at the ends of the earth, it will be worth the journey!’
– David Shipley, CD BABY

www.paperboys.com