Starting a project is easy, but finishing it can feel impossible.

In this clip Paul explains how he approaches a project to minimize roadblocks.

I try to preface working with bands by having a conversation about, “look it's... we're not making a good record if there's not some tension, you know, at times. But I need you to know that my entire goal with this whole thing is that the music be the best that it can. And I want to serve you guys. I've no ego or agenda and so don't feel like my ideas are things that we have to do, but also don't throw them away because they're not your ideas. You know, let's work together.” 

And if you feel like there's that comfortability with the band, you know I've worked a lot with this national band called Goodbye June that is three cousins, two guitar players, and a singer. And they have a bass player and a drummer, but it kind of changes depending on who's available. And so when they would come to the studio, all their ideas were guitar driven, and so a lot of my input on it was, you know, like this is great, but how do we boil this down to like a, you know, four minute pop song than your stoner jam that’s, you know 20 minutes long. 

And I say all that to say, and then coming at it from, “well let's get, let's get a rhythm section vibe happening that really supports what you guys brought in.” And all I'm doing is finding what's missing. In that element, kind of the same way that I approach writing songs is if someone comes in and they're really great at melody, then I'm going to turn my melody part of me off that day and work on the lyric, and the same thing with the producer like if a band comes in with the song and it's like he said, 75% there. Well what is that other 25%, and how do I bring that out of the band while making them feel like it was a group effort? Not me, just you know, this is how I hear the song... we need to do it. And it can get tricky. I think that to me the thing is having conversations about building trust. You know, a lot of people, I think, feel like they're indebted to the producer because the producer’s taking his time in his life to give to the project, but I kind of look at it with a band. Like everyone's equal and we're just gonna... like even my guys that I'm working with... like everyone's input is valid and there's no hierarchy per se. It's just us all trying to figure it out. I think that's me coming from a band background of wanting to just see... I'd say a lot of times maybe the reason why I became a producer is so I can be in a band for six weeks and then quit that band and join another band.