Paul Pigat’s many fans are probably more familiar with him as the front man of the rockin’ Cousin Harley band. You might think that acoustic music is a new diversion for the already multi-talented Vancouver musician. Not so. His love for this type of music started back in high school when he discovered the genius of Texas singer-songwriter Townes Van Zandt. But not everyone is familiar with this side of Paul … that of emotive singer-songwriter. That situation will soon change, with the release of Boxcar Campfire. Paul Pigat’s latest CD is a collection of songs about love, heartbreak, and redemption; mostly self-penned tunes along with a handful of creatively arranged covers. At one end of the scale are light hearted ditties, and on the other, dark fantasies of the mind. Although laced with tasteful musicianship, this recording is a departure in the sense that the songs rather than the playing are the main feature. Featured players on the recording include: Paul Pigat – vocals, guitar, dobro, and banjo; Paul Rigby (Neko Case) – mandolin; Tommy Babin (François Houle) – acoustic bass and Barry Mirochnick (Neko Case) – drums. Paul Pigat started playing the guitar at 11 years of age and was gigging steadily in downtown Toronto by the time he was 12. Through a lifetime dedication to live performance, recording and study he has developed into a superb instrumentalist, vocalist, songwriter and instructor, with an acute fondness for vintage guitars and amps. As well as headlining his own shows, Paul has appeared and/or recorded with Neko Case, Jim Byrnes, The Sojourners, Carolyn Mark, Ndidi Onukwulu, Michael Kaeshammer, Zubot and Dawson, CR Avery and many more. Paul’s style is deeply rooted in the playing of Les Paul, Merle Travis, Doc Watson and Mississippi John Hurt, with a modern twist to create a style that is exhilarating in its intensity, at the same time both fluid and precise. His creative use of tone and dynamics is a hallmark of everything he plays. His superb talent as a guitarist is matched by his songwriting and his vocal abilities; a warm baritone equally at home singing flat-out rockers and or laid-back folk songs. A stellar performance at Viva Las Vegas in April 2009 netted Paul an endorsement with Gretsch Guitars. He is the newest addition to their roster of distinguished guitarists, and will be touring extensively for Gretsch as a clinician and workshop instructor. www.paulpigat.com ~ www.cousinharley.com