Band on the Rise: Paper Tongues

Lead Singer of Paper Tongues, Aswan North, might have called it destiny when he ran into Randy Jackson at a restaurant in Los Angeles. North invited Jackson to hear their music and Jackson got a "vibe" from North so he took a chance and looked them up. He immediately signed the band to A&M/Octone Records and has since been promoting them. 

Jackson says he was looking for something different and unique, and Paper Tongues had no hesitation to make it big, believing they "are going to change history." They sound like a mix between U2 and Rage Against the Machine, but have powerful lyrics with strong political messages and songs titled, "For the People" and "Rich and Poor."

Hailing from North Carolina and playing since 2007, Paper Tongues is made up of seven guys, all currently on tour with Switchfoot on The Hello Hurricane Tour. Although it's only been a year since they were signed, they're already hitting the radio with their latest single, "Ride to California" and getting their album ready to debut this summer. 

Paper Tongue's music is positive and refreshing, but has a force that declares their music is here to stay in the music world. On the band's website North says, "I wouldn't want to start a revolution. I believe things only change from the inside out. I don't feel that we can change much unless we join hands with people who have already been bleeding." 

The say their purpose as a band is to bring healing to people, to bad politics, and to a society that needs change. For a country seeking change, Paper Tongues is the perfect dose of music to revive the arts in a way where music and action can merge. 

For more information, visit www.papertongues.com

Katie Cervantes 

Live OC Magazine

www.LIVEOCMAG.com