ST.PAUL

Saint & Sinner...

We caught up with national performing artist, St.Paul in Northern Colorado.

When did you first get into music?

I first started really getting into music when I was 16 years old. Back then my friends and I would sit around and just freestyle. I didn’t get into recording music until I was 18 years old and from there the rest is history.

Who or What inspired you to pursue a career in music?

There are a lot of people who inspired me to do music, however, the most influential I would have to say was my mother. It didn’t matter what day it was you could always hear Marvin Gaye or Motown playing in our apartment in Jersey. Techn9ne was also a very big influence for me when it came to my decision to start doing music. I really knew after going to a Techn9ne concert and watching him perform “This Ring” live that music was something that I wanted to do. Just watching him engage his crowd and the feeling that came over me is something to this day that I will never forget.

How has your music evolved since you first began performing?

Over time I feel like my music has evolved with me. My music is a reflection of my life, which as we all know is forever changing. I feel like to connect with people music needs to be authentic which is what my music is, it’s my life story.I really feel like these last few years I have found my voice and style of music that I am most comfortable with and is just a natural flow.

I’m sure you have shared the stage with a lot of talented artists/celebrities along the way. Would you share 1 or 2 of your favorite stories with us?

One of my favorite stories is back in 2012 I opened up for Machine Gun Kelly and Tech N9ne. It was an amazing experience for me to see how they prepared for their shows backstage. It will also always be one of my favorite memories because I was able to bring my son with me. Not only did he get to meet Tech N9ne but he also got to meet an up and coming rapper named Ryan Bowers RIP (which would later be one of our favorites) but he got to watch me open for them and live out my dream showing that nothing is impossible with hardwork and dedication.

If you were forced to choose only one, which emotion, more than any other drives you to stay in this tough business? Is it joy, anger, desire, passion or pride and why?

When it comes down to the emotion that drives me to continue to do music I would have to say it’s my passion. Music is all around us and it has the ability to adjust everything you feel. My passion drives me in everything that I do when it comes to music and the industry. Being able to let out my creative side with music and knowing that someone will be able to relate is motivation in itself.

Which ingredient do you think makes you special and unique as a performing artist in an industry overflowing with new faces and ideas?

In a world full of Drake’s and Eminem’s there is only one St.Paul. Like I said previously I think my authenticity really sets me apart. I make music that is a reflection of my life. I feel like people don’t really do that anymore. They don’t open themselves up to be vulnerable.

What has been your biggest challenge as a performing artist? Have you been able to overcome that challenge? If so, how?

I think that the hardest challenge that I have had to face is being the one wearing all the hats (no pun intended). Going from writing the music to booking the shows it can be overwhelming because it for sure is a team effort. The people you surround yourself with really matter. I’ve been working with Jason Cave at Beat Hog Production Company and that has been a huge game changer for me because now I don’t have to worry about everything and we are both lined up with the same goals.

A common phrase in the industry is, “you must suffer for your art.” Do you agree with this statement? If so, how have you suffered for your art?

Yes I do agree. We suffer emotionally and financially. In the emotional way sometimes we write about the hardships that we are facing in our lives. Financially sometimes musicians suffer by getting entwined in the politics of music when the promoters ask you to pay in order to play. Making you buy a set amount of tickets and then do a majority of your own promoting, that’s why it is so important to surround yourself with good people and people who have the same goals in mind as you.

How do you feel the internet has impacted the music business?

The internet has impacted the music industry in such a huge way. With one click of a button your music can be heard all of the world. It has given musicians such as myself a bigger platform to be heard on.

Have you done or plan on doing any Live-stream Concerts? If you have, how has the response been from your fans?

I have not done any live stream concerts, as of yet. I would love to do one however with these trying times it has been difficult to do so. I started a new business, which has been taking up a huge portion of my life.

If you could change anything about the music industry. What would it be?

The music industry can be a tricky one, especially with all the politics that come with it. I feel like the music should speak for itself. Personal vendettas and whether or not you like someone shouldn’t factor into if they get on your set list. If they’re dope then they are dope. The pettiness has got to go. Everyone deserves to be heard.

What are the 5 albums that have helped make you the person you are today? And why?

There are so many different artists and albums that helped shape me into who I am today, but if I only had to choose 5 I would have to say:

NaS - “Illmatic” - This album really helped me shape and decide what type of hip/hop I wanted to do.

MasterP - “Ghetto Dope” - it was the first CD that I ever owned that had the Explicit lyrics and back then, I thought I was hot shit.

Jodeci - “Diary of Mad Band” - This album has always reminded me of being a kid and being around family and just how important it is to always hold on to the child inside us all.

Marvin Gaye - “I want you” - Always reminds me of my roots and where I came from and that there will be struggles but to always remember where I came from.

Tell us about your current project. Are you working on new music? An EP or Album?

COVID is a mother fucker. Before all this happened I was working with Beathogs on an album called, “Here for a good time not a longtime” then covid happened. The last song I had recorded the artist I had do a feature took his own life (RIP Ryan Bowers). Now I am just waiting for Beathogs to complete setting up their amazing studio and then I am going to get back to it!

What is your baseball walk on to the field song?

My baseball walk out song would for sure have to be “I Love” by Joyner Lucas. This song just gets me pumped and I can relate to the song as a whole. Joyner Lucas is such an underrated artist.

What’s next for you?

Who knows! I opened up my own business called Krownz & Kickz, doing custom embroidery caps (www.krownzandkickz.com). It’s another way for not only me but for other people to express their creativity and for them to see their ideas come to life! Also, when COVID is over with and I can do shows, my merch table will be stacked!

How can fans-to-be gain access to your career?

I’m on all major music platforms! Here are my tags for them:

Youtube - Paul Rodriguez, Spotify - St.Paul, SoundCloud - PaulRodriguez13, iTunes - St.Paul

Photos by Dominic Jacoby