Paul Marc Rousseau: Silverstein, Touring & Record Deals

This week we’re excited to welcome Paul Marc Rousseau to the show. Paul is the lead guitarist for Canadian post-hardcore band Silverstein. Joining the band as a guitar tech initially, he was the natural choice to replace Neil Boshart after he left the band. Silverstein have sold over 1 million records worldwide, have been nominated for a Juno Award, and released their 8th album (“I Am Alive In Everything I Touch”) in 2015. In this interview, Paul shares some advice for bands going on tour, talks about the approach labels take to signing bands, and the importance of having relationships with your fans.

Highlights:

Paul was a part of Silverstein’s touring family long before he joined the band as a guitarist

One of the most important parts of being on the road is the relationships you have with each other

Ross shares a story involving a passive aggressive note he left for a former flatmate

Paul shares some highlights about being on the road with Silverstein

We hear about a time where the band almost to pay €15,000 to put their instruments on board as baggage

We talk about the importance of artists meeting and talking to fans when touring

Paul commends Silverstein’s fans for speaking to them as he’s too scared to do that with his favourite artists

We hear the story of how Paul became a full time member of Silverstein

We talk about how labels are much more careful about the artists they sign and how they need to build a profile themselves first

There are so many factors to achieving longevity in the music industry

Advice:

You have to be sure that what you’re making musically is of a high enough quality to take on tour

You have to be self aware and self critical enough to know that what you’re doing is good enough for people to see

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