Paul Nicolas Varlamoff
What started as one man’s artistic vision for a new sound has become a reality in the band Foxtrot November. In 2002, the 22-year-old singer / musician Paul Nicolas split from the Atlanta-based rock trio, Odyssey, to create a solo record and form a new band around the concepts generated from recent studio sessions. The resulting record, Rush the Clock, was released in the late summer of 2004. Loosely classified as alternative / rock, the eleven tracks bring together a wide array of styles, influences, sounds, and emotions into an exceptionally cohesive album that is both innovative in its approach to songwriting as well as its appeal to a mainstream audience. Paul Nicolas’ distinctively clean voice, wide vocal range, and provocative lyrics cut through the intricate instrumentation to produce thoughtful, yet powerful emotions. “This record is a snapshot of the thoughts and feelings at this point in my life. It represents the struggle of an up and coming musician trying to blaze his own path and establish an identity in an industry wrought with conformism and superficiality.” This is best exemplified by the edgy and driving single, Your Holiday. _As soon as mixing on the final tracks began, Paul Nicolas began meeting up with friends from past musical ensembles. Chris Bartholomay (Percussion), Brandon Smith (Guitars / Vocals), and Christopher Piland (Bass) all joined Foxtrot November in the Fall of 2004. Chris, Paul, and Brandon participated in various drumlines throughout the state of GA and kept running into each other over the last few years. A few calls were made, and they both joined the group followed by Christopher Piland. Foxtrot November began touring in 2004 and began earning critical acclaim from many notable industry insiders for Rush the Clock. Two tracks, “Release Me” and “Islands in the Sun”, earned honorary recognition at the Billboard world song Contest in 2005. The band was also invited by the Songwriter’s Hall of Fame in July 2005 to participate in an industry showcase for up and coming songwriters in New York City.
After months and months spent on the road, the band went back into the studio in early 2006 to start working on their sophomore album, The Beautiful Out of Control, scheduled for release in the Fall of 2007. Asked how this record differs from the debut release, Paul Nicolas replied, “This record takes the very best elements of Rush the Clock and incorporates everything that we’ve learned and experienced since then. This record is fast, edgy, accessible, and is going to turn a lot of heads. The songs are even leaner and get right to the point. That’s what life is about to me. We should be constantly trying to cut through the static and white noise that’s going on in the world around us to get right to the essence of living. At the same time, we’re writing about a wide variety of dark and light topics and mixing them in with a vast palette of colors. The songs have a ton of layers and are very three dimensional. I think listeners are really going to be drawn into the songs and lose themselves in there with me.”
About the Production of The Beautiful Out of Control:
The sophomore album from Foxtrot November was recorded at a number of production studios in and around Atlanta including: TG and L5P Studio, Studio D, Creekside Productions, Glen Schick Mastering, and Nickel and Dime Studios. Lending a hand to the final phase of production are:
Two-time Grammy winning Producer Don McCollister (Credits: The B52’s, Indigo Girls, Sister Hazel, Pat Monahan of Train, and Johnny Colt of the Black Crowes)
Matt Mangano (Bass, Credits: Shawn Mullins, John Mayer, Clay Cook, Wisechild),
Gerry Hansen (Percussionist/Engineer, Credits: Shawn Mullins, John Mayer, Clay Cook),
Glen Schick, Mastering engineer with 12 platinum credits.