Paul Manousos

Born and raised in Almadea, California, amid a household of devoted music listeners, Paul Manousos developed an expressive vocal approach and a gift for crafting intimate, emotionally charged songs. At five he persuaded his mother to arrange piano instruction, quickly mastering standards such as “Moon River” and “Alfie” on the household instrument. During adolescence he embraced rock & roll and, at fifteen, entered a neighborhood group; although occasional lead vocals were granted from behind the keyboards, he yearned for greater visibility, prompting him to adopt guitar and begin composing original material.

In 1999 he became a member of Sway, a project that later transformed into Power13 and issued two albums before disbanding in 2002. The second of those releases, Soon, was helmed by Steve Fisk, whose guidance urged Manousos toward more autobiographical writing and broader stylistic exploration; heeding that counsel, Manousos launched a solo career in 2003. He commenced independent touring and reunited with Fisk to cut his debut solo album, For Better or Worse, issued in early 2006. The track “Beautiful Girl” from that record was licensed for a Century Theaters promotional campaign in which Manousos himself appeared.

Shock & Fall Recordings released his follow-up, Common Thread, on 18 March 2008. Two years later, on 14 September 2010, he delivered his third solo collection, C'mon, C'mon.