Montreal-based musician Paul Jacobs returns with a music video – which he drew, animated and directed himself – for “Half Rich Loner,” a rambling road runner classic in the style of 60s icons Canned Heat and JJ Cale. Following a prolific run of garage rock releases and an album and EP with his band Pottery (in which he plays drums), this new song is the first single off Pink Dogs on the Green Grass, his upcoming album and debut Blow The Fuse release, due out April 30th. Mastered by Oliver Ackermann of A Place To Bury Strangers, the album is available for pre-order as of today.
True to Paul Jacobs’ signature style, the animated music video ranges from bold black lines and patterns to super bright colors. Jacobs’ drawings show an everyday man doing everyday things, as he teases a single note on guitar to tell the tale of a working stiff struggling to get by. “I enjoy spending time alone and drawing pictures, what’s wrong with that?” he says in reference to the song’s title.
“At the beginning of this video project, I had planned on filming some ideas with friends and collaborating on some stuff, but as Montreal’s lockdown continued throughout 2020, I knew I would have to figure out a way to get something together myself at home,” Jacobs says. “I find the purpose of a music video is to enhance the song, so I didn’t want a story to take away from that. For “Half Rich Loner” my only rule was that the character needed to be alone, and for the visuals to reflect the feeling of the music. Also I always visualize the drum part while listening to this song, so I was sure to animate some drums.”
The songwriting on Pink Dogs on the Green Grass was inspired by those unwanted moments in life that stick with you, such as unexpected encounters and bizarre situations that repeat themselves in your dreams. After wanting for a long time to marry his love of psychedelic, timeless studio recordings with his independent, rebellious indie spirit, Jacob’s apartment studio allowed him to use acoustic drums and to explore with more organic sounds. Although the creation process – of writing, working on over 40 half-finished demos and recording – took over Jacob’s life for a while, the album is a refined 13-track collection of ageless, yet modern melodies inspired by folk acts past and present, with a twist of current technologies and topics.
For every musical project, Paul Jacobs writes, performs, records and mixes all the music, always accompanied by his personal animations and artwork. This time, he returns with all that, but also with a deeply personal record on which he opens up about his experience in life, with hints of folk, pop, rock and psychedelia.
Paul Jacobs
Pink Dogs on The Green Grass
(Blow The Fuse)
Release Date: April 30, 2021
Pre-Order Here
Track List:
Christopher Robbins
Day to Day
Half Rich Loner
Most Delicious Drink
Cherry
Everything’s Fine
Underneath the Roses
Dancing With the Devil
Glory Days, Yesterday
Kathy’s Bible
Your Last Words
The Boys are Back
Hello Sunshine
Photo credit: Christopher Vincent
