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PNR​-​002 - Up To Date: Songs 2006​-​2007

by The Paper Orchestra

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1.
(Instrumental)
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3.
J'ai Besoin 04:06
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5.
Walk On By 03:39
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8.
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11.
(Instrumental)
12.
(Instrumental)

about

The Paper Orchestra began its musical life in the summer of 2006, helmed by front man Alex Poska. Initially collaborating with Josh Chang on recordings of songs Alex started writing that spring as well as covers for The E6 Townhall, the project became a full fledged band once it booked its first show in July. Gathering a group of friends including Alex’s brother Ryan and fellow MVHS orchestra members Tim Rottenberg and Michelle Packman, the band trekked down to San Diego to play in the living room of one David Barclay.

David was crucial in our formation and inspiration as a band and musicians. Earlier that spring, Alex and Tim ventured to the Che Cafe to see two bands they had discovered via the internet and the love of Elephant 6 (E6) related projects. The Red Pony Clock were a few steps removed from E6, but they were on a label called Happy Happy Birthday To Me that had released some music from E6 bands. They loved their horns and indie pop mariachi sound, but were also super excited to see The Diskettes, a legendary underground indie pop and DIY group originally from Canada featuring none other than David Barclay. David was in San Diego getting his Ph.D and although they never saw him play as the Diskettes, he was at the show running sound. They met him and talked to him, making plans to come see him play in one of his other bands another night.

Alex and Tim returned to the Che Cafe and saw him play with another band called The Feet, who opened our eyes to a whole new world of simple, lo-fi bands who took music and songwriting into their own hands, producing endearing and meaningful music that we could relate to in our everyday lives. Alex and Tim saw a flyer at the Che Cafe for another show The Feet were playing at David’s apartment. Having just written songs, and entertaining dreams of a real band, they asked David if we could play the show under the band name The Paper Orchestra.

Through David, the band was introduced to people from across Southern California who took music into their own bedrooms, co-ops, coffee shops and community spaces. The Do-It-Yourself and Do-It-Together spirit drove group, as we put on our own park shows, coffee house shows and even a few shows in real venues! Up To Date: Songs 2006-2007 was a compilation of various covers, live recordings, and home studio experiments recorded during our tenure as a DIY twee pop band. A rundown of the tracklist will provide more fruitful information and juicy stories from the history of The Paper Orchestra, the best teenage twee pop band, and maybe the only teenage twee pop band, in Orange County.

Pacific Nature Recording # 002 (Released a few select shows, sold with PNR-001)

credits

released March 1, 2008

1. Dance of the Paper Orkestar Pt. 1
Recorded at The Meadow in Mission Viejo, CA during 2007
Alex: recording, autoharp, tambourine, electric guitar; Janaye Pohl: Drums; Josh: piano, cello; Ryan: trumpet; Tim: trombone
This jam was the first song ever written as a band, way back in the summer of 2006. Almost always the band’s last song at shows, it spiraled out of control into a sometimes 4 part monster jam lasting upwards of 10 minutes. This version was a concise recording of the first part of the song with a distinctly Beirut-esque flare. The title of this recording was what later renamed the band when they rearranged members and adopted a horn heavy, balladeering sound.

2. Summer Love (Live in SD)
Recorded by David Barclay at his apartment July 23rd, 2006
Alex: Guitar, Vocals; Michelle: cello; Josh: glockenspiel; Tim: tambourine; Ryan: shaker
This was the first original song ever written by Alex and it was the first original song the band played live. 3rd song into the set, they busted out this cheery summer love song that became a live staple of their entire performing career.

3. Ibi Dreams of Pavement (Live)
Recorded at The Waterloo Station Coffee House, October 5th, 2007; Originally by Broken Social Scene
Alex: guitar, vocals; Stephen: guitar, vocals; Ryan: Trumpet; Tim: Mellophone; Josh: cello; Carrie: shaker, vocals
While the recording is terrible, and the musicianship pretty weak, this show was a watermark and highpoint for the band. Taking over the Waterloo Station Coffee House for the night, the group celebrated Stephen’s birthday by splintering off into solo projects and collaborations, ending with a finale set from The Paper Orchestra. After multiple hours of playing we were all tired but so happy to be playing a show on our own terms with a supportive audience of family and friends.

4. Ja’i Besoin
Recorded at The Meadow in Mission Viejo, CA during Fall 2007
Alex: recording, acoustic guitar, accordion, vocals; Ryan: trumpet; Josh: glockenspiel, cello, arrangement; Stephen: electric guitar
During the Fall of 2007 the band started to itch to record it’s own music and songs. They had performed about 6 to 8 times since they had formed but had only released one EP in their early days. The recorded music they had, besides live recordings, was not very representative of the band so they undertook some, mostly ill-fated, recording sessions. With the backdrop of the Santiago Fire, they hunkered down in Alex’s home studio trying to write new material and capture old songs that had become concert staples. Alex wrote the bare bones of the song (lyrical translation provided by his mom), with Josh and Stephen contributing arrangements and melodic parts to the recording.

5. Walk On By
Recorded at The Meadow in Mission Viejo in Spring 2007
Stephen: songwriting, guitar, vocals; Alex: slide guitar, recording; Ryan; trumpet solo
Stephen Rich wrote this song, it was one of his earliest songs and the ballad of every show. The song was recorded through a Yamaha mixer, straight into an old Windows XP computer, requiring a near perfect one-take performance. Tracked in the same session as a few unreleased Paper Orchestra recordings during Spring of 2006.

6. Same Old Drag (The Apples In Stereo)
Recorded at The Meadow in Mision Viejo, CA Fall of 2006 for an E6 Townhall Apples In Stereo tribute compilation
Alex: recording, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, vocals

7. Summer Love (Live at the Che Cafe)
Recorded by Josh Chang/Jon Manning on a digital camera at the Che Cafe in April 2007
Alex: guitar, vocals, songwriting; Stephen: guitar, vocals; Josh: glockenspiel; Ryan: trumpet; Tim: tambourine; Carrie: shaker, vocals; Elaine: vocals; Felix Ritz: Drums
This is another live version of our best loved pop song. This show was particularly cool because we had our German friend, and at that time foreign exchange student, Felix Ritz playing drums! He was the unsung hero of our string of spring shows in 2007.

8. I <3 New York Shirts (Live at The Vault)
Recorded by Mr. Scapellati on a phone at The Vault in Laguna Hills, CA May 25th, 2007
Alex: guitar, vocals; Stephen: guitar, vocals; Brennan: bass; Ryan: trumpet; Tim: horn; Carrie: percussion, vocals; Janaye: glockenspiel; Ethan Scapellati: Drums
This was the first song with lyrics the band wrote as a group. One day Josh recounted a dream of his that involved shirt that say I <3 New York on them. Immediately inspired the band wrote this two chord burner, complete with a sartorial, color counting breakdown. Ethan busted out a major drum solo no one was expecting and we smashed our way through this raucous performance.

9. Cheer Up Calvin (Live at the Che Cafe)
Recorded by Josh Chang/Jon Manning on a digital camera at the Che Cafe in April 2007
Alex: guitar, vocals, songwriting; Stephen: guitar, vocals; Josh: melodica; Ryan: trumpet; Tim: tambourine; Carrie: shaker, vocals; Elaine: glockenspiel, vocals; Felix Ritz: Drums
Another gem that was never recorded in a studio setting, but was poorly captured at a live show with German drummer extraordinaire, Felix Ritz. Alex’s botched guitar solo captures the sloppiness and pep of the young band with their joyous cacophony somehow making the tragic life of Calvin seem bearable. When the band members learned what the actual lyrics were, even they were surprised at how palatable the imagined depressive life of a classmate could sound.

10. I <3 New York Shirts (Live in SD)
Recorded by David Barclay at his apartment July 23rd, 2006
Alex: guitar, vocals; Michelle: cello, vocals; Josh: glockenspiel, vocals, squeal; Tim: tambourine, vocals; Ryan: trumpet
An acoustic version of the band’s ridiculous brand of twee pop sartorial novelty. This song was taken from the live recording and left unedited, not-so-witty banter in its full glory but surely a bit of insight into their naive and idealistic teenage-selves.

11. Dance of the Paper Orchestra (Part 1)
Recorded by David Barclay at his apartment July 23rd, 2006
Alex: guitar; Michelle: cello; Josh: cello; Tim: shaker; Ryan: trumpet
The first live incarnation of the band’s closing jam, that spiraled more out of control with every performance. However, nothing will match up to the intensity of the very first practice jam of the song, hammered out through long jams that involved standing on tables and handrails.

12. Dance of the Paper Orchestra (Part 2)
Recorded by David Barclay at his apartment July 23rd, 2006
Alex: guitar, percussive guitar played with shaker; Michelle: cello; Josh: cello; Tim: tambourine; Ryan: shaker
Part two was always inaugurated with the stereotypical flamenco-esque figure played on the cello. As the cello duel escalated (later it would be a guitar duel), shakers and tambourines flew everywhere as Alex played his guitar with a shaker later throwing it to Ryan and Tim to finish the song.

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Pacific Nature Records California

The record label side of Pacific Nature is on indefinite HIATUS. Stock has been updated as of 7/10/2020 and we will fulfill orders if they come in. It may take a few weeks since we dont check this often.

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