Live from the Boom Room is a live music video series featuring live performances recorded in the Blip Blap Video HQ bunker in St. Louis, Mo. Learn more about Blip Blap Video at blipblapvideo.com, or follow them on Instagram and YouTube.
This week’s episode features Paul Niehaus IV performing his original, “If I Stay Too Long.”
About this week’s artist:
Paul Niehaus IV is a multi-instrumentalist, Producer, Songwriter, and Engineer born and raised in Saint Louis, MO. He fell in love with music in his youth and knew he’d be pursuing a career in music by his teens. He has toured with some big names in the Blues world all over the country, playing in 47 states as well as Canada and Mexico. In 2016, he founded Blue Lotus Recordings, a record label that the RFT described as “Redefining the St. Louis Sound” by combining the Blues, Soul, and Roots tradition of St. Louis with an innovative approach to songwriting and a classic aesthetic. Paul has had a hand in producing and engineering albums that have been nominated and won awards including the Blues Music Awards and Blues Blast Music Awards. Paul was fortunate to produce 5 celebrated compilation albums for the St. Louis Blues Society. In 2021, Paul became a member of the Recording Academy and is proud to be a voting member for the Grammys. In 2023, Paul released his debut album If I Stay Too Long, an eclectic take on the “St. Louis Sound.”
What brought you to this point in your life as a working St. Louis artist?
After years of being a “side man” playing freelance for various local and touring groups, I’m now performing under my own name. My debut album If I Stay Too Long came out on the Blue Lotus Recordings label in November.
What inspires your music? What does this song in particular mean to you?
My music is inspired by nature as well as the music of the 1960s up until about 1975. To me that’s the “golden age” of popular music. This song is called “If I Stay Too Long” and it’s a song about music and the power of music. There is even a call to the audience to “sing along” which is fun at live shows. The sing along is simple: “la la la la la la, la la la la.”
Who in St. Louis are you inspired by right now?
My favorite current St. Louis artist is Brian Owens. He’s a genius and a virtuoso. He’s also a very righteous man. I’m thankful to have worked with him on a variety of projects.
What bands are you performing with lately?
I am mostly doing solo gigs these days but occasionally I play with a band backing me up. I also work with Butch Moore, Walter Greiner, Boo Boo Davis, and others.
Where do you hope to be in 5 years?
In 5 years, I hope to have produced many more St. Louis artists’ albums. I also hope to have grown a larger fan base for my own original music.
Links:
YouTube | Spotify | Artist’s page
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