“It’s OK to turn the electric guitars up, and Lesinski does just that on a number of tracks on his new disc.” - The Oregonian
Prog Radio rates Paul's New Album “Across the Light” 4/5 Stars!
“[Paul’s latest album] is a well-rounded, eclectic yet very focused effort...Do yourself a favor and pick up the album or better yet make it out to show your support and buy the album at the venue.” - Oregon Music News
Announcing the Release of Paul Lesinski's fourth full-length album, Across the Light:
Paul Lesinski has released his fourth full-length album, called Across the Light, May 17, 2024 across all streaming services, on CD, at https://paullesinski.bandcamp.com/ and from www.paullesinski.com.
“This is hands-down my best work,” said Paul. “We took great care to get everything right, from every word written and sung, the musical construction, performances, recording, mixing, mastering and even the artwork and overall presentation. If this is the last thing I ever do, I’m going out on a personal high note. But now I want the world to hear it!”
Recorded with his long-time musical partners David Kendall (drums, vocals) and Mike Budd (bass), Across the Light is direct and visceral, exploring themes of self-reflection, societal challenges, personal struggles, and the desire for change. There is a sense of urgency and determination in the words, with a focus on taking action and making a difference. The lyrics also touch upon themes of love, forgiveness, and the passage of time evoking a sense of emotional depth and a call to embrace one's true self and seize the moment.
Musically, the 10-track release is Paul’s most “progressive” album, with two eight-plus-minute epics (Your Last Song, and the title track, Across the Light), an upbeat guitar-based instrumental and songs boasting several ethereal, extended musical passages. But this is offset by the tighter tracks Show Me and Right Day, and the lush acoustic-based Be Better Be Bold and October Wind.
Recorded at DJK Studios in Vancouver, Washington and Paul’s Portland, Oregon home studio from 2020 to 2023, Paul and David co-produced and mixed Across the Light. Steve Turnidge at Ars Divina/UltraViolet Studios in Seattle tackled the mastering, sequencing and reproduction, while Portland graphic artist Grace Jensen created the album artwork based on Paul’s concept of a silhouette precariously walking across a tightrope of light. Portland keyboardist Asher Fulero contributed the Marillion and Pink Floyd influenced synth solo on the title track and Hailey Kendall-Bray contributed backing vocals to album closer Right Day.
The first single, called “Show Me” dropped on January 12, 2024, receiving positive feedback from fans, followers and the global music community. Watch the lyric video here, and stream it from these sites.
Of “Show Me,” Paul says “The song has a deceptively simple message: 'Don’t say you’re sorry/Show me; Don’t say you love me/Show Me.' However behind the simple message and infectious riff are layers of uncertainty. Do we really learn from our mistakes? Can we give and receive grace in our relationships? Do we acknowledge that being the best versions of ourselves is a daily endeavor, and damn it, a lot of work?!”
The second single, “Be Better Be Bold” dropped on May 5, 2024 and the AI generated video can be seen here. This song was inspired by Paul's grandfather's journey to the U.S. as a Polish immigrant in the early 1990s.
100-word bio
Paul Lesinski is a singer, songwriter and guitarist hailing from Portland, Oregon. With a career spanning almost four decades - through his original music and fronting the Pink Floyd tribute band he co-founded 27 years ago, called Floydian Slips - Paul has established himself as a mainstay of the Pacific Northwest music scene.
Paul's music and recordings come to life through the Paul Lesinski Band, a high-octane three-piece power trio that has released four full albums and an EP of original music. Paul's most recent album, called Across the Light, was released in May 2024.
150-word bio
Paul Lesinski is a singer, songwriter and guitarist from Portland, Oregon. With a career spanning almost four decades - through his original music and fronting the Pink Floyd tribute band he co-founded 27 years ago, called Floydian Slips - Paul has established himself as a mainstay of the Pacific Northwest music scene.
Paul’s music is a fusion of genres, blending the power of roots, progressive and classic rock. Lyrically, Paul reflects the voices of his audience, whether reveling in being the best version of yourself, to lamenting the fractured state of political and social connection driven by social media silos.
Paul’s electric guitar approach ranges from soaring ethereal leads to tasty clean blues-based riffage, to sonic dissonance. Paul's music and recordings come to life through the Paul Lesinski Band, a high-octane three-piece power trio that has released four full albums and an EP of original music. Paul's most recent album, called Across the Light, was released in May 2024.
Press photos
photo credit - Dean Yarnell
photo credit - Jozie Donaghey
photo credit - Dean Yarnell
Downloadable "Across the Light" Album Cover, by Grace Jensen-Wood
Paul Lesinski Band, photo by Krishta Abruzzini-McGroovy