Papa M

David Pajo utilizes Papa M as his busiest solo identity, this multi-instrumentalist having moved through several inventive Midwestern groups while pursuing his own inventive personal and collaborative work. Papa M recordings extend from the abstract yet grounded post-rock of Live from a Shark's Cage in 1999 across the direct folk style of Sings in 2001 and multiple EPs issued afterward, with occasional electronic explorations appearing at intervals. Following an apparent end to the project in 2004, Papa M resurfaced with the varied and at times forceful Highway Songs in 2016, then the reflective acoustic album A Broke Moon Rises in 2018, and the daring 2024 release Ballads of Harry Houdini.

Born in Texas during 1968 to Fernando "Nanding" Pajo and Darlene Feldbusch, he grew up in Louisville, Kentucky. He helped establish Slint, the Louisville slowcore outfit that impressed critics between 1987 and 1991. Once that band dissolved, he performed with Palace Brothers, Stereolab, the For Carnation, King Kong, and Royal Trux. He also belonged to Tortoise on a full-time basis until 1998, when he reduced his role to concentrate on the M releases.

Pajo's expressive and nearly haunting guitar work connects every M undertaking. Supported on occasion by soft wave-like pulses and the presence of synths and keyboards, the pieces create a hypnotic effect while suggesting vast spatial vistas. Key efforts encompass a split single with Monade featuring Laetitia Sadier of Stereolab issued under M Is the Thirteenth Letter on Palace Records in 1995, plus three Drag City albums: the self-titled Aerial M from 1997, Post Global Music credited to Aerial M in 1999, and Live from a Shark's Cage, the initial Papa M full-length, also from 1999. The country-folk EP Sings appeared two years afterward.

Papa M issued multiple singles throughout the 2000s together with the albums Whatever, Mortal in 2001 and Hole of Burning Alms in 2004, the latter gathering non-album tracks across various identities. He adopted the Pajo name for the self-titled 2005 album and 1968 the next year. During this period he joined Dead Child, the hard rock and metal group containing members of the For Carnation, Parlour, and Shipping News. He also took part in Slint's occasional reunion tours and festival shows. In 2009 he delivered Scream with Me under the Pajo name, an acoustic set of Misfits covers. He performed with the Yeah Yeah Yeahs on the It's Blitz tour and appeared as Papa M at the ATP New York 2010 festival. He additionally served briefly as a touring member of Interpol.

Pajo maintained involvement in Slint's infrequent reunions, yet around 2014 he lost enthusiasm for performing music. In February 2015 he survived a suicide attempt after placing a note on his blog. Support from family, friends, and listeners encouraged him to continue and eventually return to recording. His first Papa M album in more than ten years, Highway Songs, arrived on Drag City in November 2016. While that record explored grunge and hard rock, he pursued a far quieter path on 2018's A Broke Moon Rises, which closed with a version of Arvo Pärt's "Spiegel Im Spiegel." Pajo belonged to the brief Household Gods project alongside Unwound's Vern Rumsey, Palo Verde's Lauren K. Newman, and bay area musician Conan Neutron. Household Gods finished one album before the deaths of both Newman and Rumsey. Early in the 2020s he began playing guitar with Gang of Four. In 2024 the eighth Papa M album, Ballads of Harry Houdini, appeared. Once more issued by Drag City, the record was produced and recorded entirely by Pajo, combining assorted guitar textures and styles with occasional electronic elements.