Paper Tongues

Paper Tongues came together in 2007, merging rock, rap, funk, pop, and soul while pulling from unexpected touchstones such as Steve Perry and Grandmaster Flash. The band originated in Charlotte, NC, when eight musicians first gathered for a continuing run of improvisational jams. Guitarists Devin Forbes and Joey Signa, keyboardists Clayton Simon and Cody Blackler, bassist Danny Santell, singer Aswan North, and drummer Jordan Hardee used those gatherings to weave their separate tastes into the sound that became Paper Tongues. Once the roster was set, the musicians relocated to California to track material with a wide-ranging group of producers. During 2009 they collaborated with John Fields (Jimmy Eat World), Brian West (Nelly Furtado), Billy Hume (David Banner), and Mark Endert (Maroon 5) on the debut EP Ride to California, issued late that year by A&M/Octone. A self-titled album arrived the following year.