Review Fix Exclusive: Dorian Paul Talks ‘Shake It Around’ And More

Review Fix chats with singer/songwriter Dorian Paul, who discusses their origin n music and new single, “Shake It Around.”

Review Fix: How did you get involved in music?

Dorian Paul: Music got involved with me. LOL! I was five years old, sitting on the living room floor mining my own business, when a commercial came on about a cereal that the mascot and song were called, the funny pink elephant. The groove on that song would mess with me every time I heard it. On this particular day I cut loose and song the entire thing to the surprise of my family. I have been told that I was a quiet child who hardly spoke before my breakout on that day and been grooving ever since. I honestly believe that a relationship between music and an individual must be mutually agreed upon to be cultivated and expressed to the highest level, because I know so many people that I believe are musically gifted, they just choose not to cultivate the gift.  

Review Fix: What’s your creative process like?

Paul: My process varies from hearing a melody and writing the hook first or writing the whole song acapella. Because I can’t play an instrument or read music, my process is unorthodox and even challenging to some musicians who may be use to chords being called out or the writer simply sits down and plays what he wants to hear. Well I can literally hear every note of a chord that I want to use in my songs and sing you the chord without knowing it’s proper name. My mentor Charlie Wilson of the Gap Band said when I was producing and writing my first song with them that I was one of two things, Insane or Brilliant, and he chose the latter. 

Review Fix: What inspires you?

Paul: I usually get my inspiration from these 3 areas; what I witness, what I’m told or what I experience. As a writer, those 3 elements have a plethora of subject matter that can be explored with bias or objective. For example, when writing about a breakup, if the writer just suffered a negative breakup, rest assured you’re about to get a song completely from the angle of the writer, based on their opinion of both the breakup and the circumstances leading up to the breakup. I completely enjoy delving into my mind from different perspectives to see what I come up with.     

Review Fix: What does music mean to you?

Paul: Music is like breathing; I can’t recollect a day in my life that music hasn’t affected me somehow. If something made me sad, it would lead me to a song that would help me get thru it. If I was happy, music would probably make me dance or make me want to dance. My world evolves around music in some fashion, I simply must have it! 

Review Fix: Was there a moment where you thought about leaving music? If so, what kept you in?

Paul: I have never thought about leaving music, but I do feel like I put music on hold to raise my children as a single father. The demand of attention your children need can truly impact your availability to write and produce especially if you are raising them by yourself. But really looking at it, music was still relevant in my parenting because we went to many concerts, and plays, and a couple of my children was even in the choir for a brief time. 

Review Fix: How would you describe your sound to someone who has never heard you?

Paul: My sound could best be described as a great bowl of gumbo because I’m influenced in many ways. I love the arrangement, warmth & beauty of harmony by The Carpenters. The power and undeniable infectious groove of James Brown. The story telling of Bobby Womack. The way Marvin Gaye  seem to paint a melodic picture with his vocal versatility. The sensuality of Sam Cooke & Ronald Isley. The different edges of Stevie Wonder & Charlie Wilson. Put all that into what I already have and that sounds like some really good gumbo to me.       

Review Fix: How are your live shows different from your studio work?

Paul: I try to make the audience in my live shows feel what I felt when I first wrote whatever song I sing. I practice hard and try to sound just like or better than the record being played on radio. I use moves and effects to deliver excitement and keep the audience engaged, and when they leave, I want them to feel like what they witnessed from me was worth every dime they spent.

Review Fix: What inspired your latest single, Shake It Around?

Paul: Shake it Around was inspired by my feelings at the time the pandemic had the whole world in a dark place that we had never experienced before. Everywhere I looked it was fear & death. America, with the senseless tragedies of George Floyd, Briana Taylor, and others. Personal back to back deaths in my family that were not Covid related, but happened during the pandemic and forced us to adhere to rules that wouldn’t even allow family to be present at their burials. Then my son was in a horrible car accident that almost killed him. I said I have to do something to bring energy and hope not just to my family, but to the whole world! I wanted to write a song that would energize us to do all we could to turn this thing around; thus Shake it Around was born!

Review Fix: How is it different from your previous work?

Paul: This song is not different from what I’ve always tried to do when I do a personal project. I try to take you on a journey with me from start to finish. I give you songs of a hope, love, God, relationship, humor, dance, positive energy, and rest assured, I GOTS TO GET FUNKY.

Review Fix: Why is gospel and R&B more important today than ever before? 

Paul: Gospel and R&B are significant today because they give songs of hope, love, fun, and joy back to a world that has suffered many trials in recent times. Gospel songs assure them that God still has the plan they need to have a good life. Songs that emphasize never being alone thru trials, a way of escape from evil doers and people trying to influence you in the wrong direction. Encouragement songs and a message of holding on and don’t never give up. That’s the significance and beauty of Gospel, R&B and message music of today.

Review Fix: What are your goals for the rest of 2021? 

Paul: My goal musically is to give the world multi singles and drop my album entitled, “Cause I Want To, Cause I Can” in July. My ultimate goal is to perform on & give away an award on every award show there is for 2021/2022. On those same awards shows, be nominated AND WIN!

Review Fix: What’s next?

Paul:

Review Fix: Anything else you’d like to add?  

Paul: I’m hoping my musical offerings will be well received and allow me to tour again, bringing my live show to stages worldwide. I hope to make audiences feel so much better when they leave from seeing me. I also pray the success will allow me to support my beloved HBCU’s, St. Jude Hospital, and my Father’s Who Will Foundation.