Phoenix, AZ—On November 15, 2024, local band Paper Foxes threw a party for their new release “Paradise Deluxe” at the Linger Longer Lounge, with openers Stereoplxsma and Manik Vamp. Though the venue was small, the fan excitement and devotion was evident. The crowd was very diverse, showing the audience reach that Paper Foxes has. Additionally, Tristen Holmes of Light Heart Tattoo was on sight doing band-specific flash art. When I arrived, Robert Ciuca from Paper Foxes had just finished getting a tattoo on his right shoulder. How else does a musician commemorate a release party?
I love a good local band. Local bands are a refreshing break from the bland barrage of formulaic fodder for the masses, and Paper Foxes is definitely that and more. With the opening bands, it was a well-rounded show, each set just different enough from each other to be engaging, but complementary enough that everyone was warmed up and ready for Paper Foxes to begin.
I had a chance to interview the members of Paper Foxes before the show began. CJ Johnson (vocals/guitar/composer/lyricist), Patro Gaston (keyboard), Robert Ciuca (bass), and Jared Denham (drums) were present; Oliver Lemke (guitarist) was still getting ready for the show.
What was the most challenging song on the release to write, and why?
Johnson: “All That You Give For Free,” it has lots of intertwining parts, and changes in timing. We worked with Jared’s roommate Collin Bashaw, and gave him free reign to do what we wanted.
Denham: “Paradise Deluxe.”
Gaston: For me, it was the difference in automation vs. just the band.
Given that the release took several years to complete, and you changed recording processes halfway through producing the release, how did you maintain a consistent sound throughout?
Johnson: Just working with people we trusted. We were working first with Bob Hoag [of Flying Blanket Recording] out of Mesa, and he does everything live. We gave everything to Collin and let him do what he wanted.
How does your songwriting process usually start? Is it lyrics first, melody, or something else?
Johnson: For me, music first. I work on my laptop, recording ideas. I like to flush everything out, then do lyrics on top.
Were there any particular artists, albums, or events that influenced the sound of this record?
Ciuca: CJ does the meat and potatoes, and everything else we do is the flavor.
Johnson: I was listening to Depeche Mode, Klaxxen, New Order. It was my experience of COVID and watching everything shut down. This was the therapy, and it helps with my happiness.
What’s the best part about working together as a band? And what’s the hardest?
Patron: They are both almost the same thing. It can get heated because everyone cares about this. Likewise, it can be a moment of gelling. When it clicks, it’s really great.
What’s something you’ve learned about yourselves as musicians while creating this release?
Denham: I found it’s helped me see how much I shine in structure. I’m the newest member, I joined two years ago. It’s my ability to help things flow. CJ brought me two songs and I was able to help them flow.
If you could go back in time, what advice would you give yourselves when you first started the band?
Johnson: Don’t be afraid of backing tracks. There are things we didn’t try because we were limited by the instruments in front of us.
Ciuca: No limits.
What’s been the most surprising thing about being in a band?
Denham: When people show up and they know the songs. They’re singing along and dancing.
Johnson: Yeah, I kind of forget the lyrics when everyone else is singing them. It’s shocking.
Have you had any interesting or unexpected reactions from fans or critics so far?
Johnson: We were a little scared to do vinyl. It’s scary to do a pre-order. It’s amazing the response we had, and that people care about us across the ocean.
What’s your favorite track from the new release and why?
Patro: “Paradise Deluxe”– that change in the middle is banging.
Ciuca: “All That You Get For Free.” It’s kind of an earworm.
Johnson: “Indica Feels.” That one is one of our older songs, but we redid it and I’m so glad we put it on the album.
Denham: “Sunset Riot.” It’s such a straightforward song. I also got to write my first drum solo.
Are there any Easter eggs or hidden details on the songs that listeners might not pick up on right away?
Johnson: Not really…I suppose “Power Out.” We were working on that song and the power went out, and we just had to pack up and stop working for the day.
Denham: Collin put an orchestra sting in it. It’s a quiet little thing, but if you listen, you hear it.
Do you have any upcoming tour plans to promote the new release?
Johnson: Not really. We are working on setting up a show in Hollywood. Touring is expensive. We would definitely join a tour for a bigger group if the opportunity came up. We’d make it work somehow.
What’s the most memorable live performance you’ve had so far?
Denham: Pizza Fest, at the park [Margret T. Hance Park] in downtown Phoenix.
Johnson: Glass Spells at the Underground; 300 goths were there. The feedback from the crowd was overwhelmingly nice. We also did great in merch that day.
Ciuca: The Marquee. We played a Prince song, where Prince once played.
If you could tour with any artist, past or present, who would it be and why?
Johnson: Depeche Mode, I’ve been obsessed lately. They are the biggest influence in dark wave. They have been creating music for 40 years, and every release is just so good.
What’s a non-musical hobby or interest that influences your music in unexpected ways?
Johnson: Video games or immersive art. There’s new music in video games. I’d love to do music for a video game.
Ciuca: Horror movies. I’d do music for horror movies, too.
Describe the band’s dynamic in three words.
Ciuca: (after much banter and discussion among the members) Hardworking fun. CJ pushes everyone.
Johnson: Yeah, that’s true. I’m a controller, but I want to push everyone.
What are each of your guilty pleasure songs?
Ciuca: I like everything I listen to, no guilt for me.
Denham: Falling in Reverse. I know Ronnie Radke is not a good person, but some of those songs are just so much fun.
Johnson: Demi Lovato, “Sorry Not Sorry.”
Patro: Lately, Fiona Apple, “Fast as You Can.” I just love the piano.
Show Review
The first opening set, Stereoplxsma, is a Phoenix duet comprised of Nick Martinez and Sadie Azersky, whose instrumental music is best described as the illegitimate love child of the chill lounge genre. Martinez and Azersky are equally talented at playing different instruments, and the collaborative vibe between them results in music that is a pleasure to listen to. At times as I listened to Azersky playing keys, I was reminded slightly of the tones and musicality of Robert Miles’s 90s trance hit, “Children.” Stereoplxsma was the right choice for an opener, as they were the perfect opener to aurally prep the audience for the eventual appearance of Paper Foxes.
Setlist:
The second opener was Manik Vamp, based out of Los Angeles, CA, accompanied by drummer Gio. Manik Vamp’s music style is definitely a throwback to the LA women’s hard punk scene of the 70s and 80s, which I absolutely love, with a touch of today’s dark wave and goth genres mixed in for good measure. Instrumentally, the hard-charging guitar elements were on backtracks, with Gio drumming in accompaniment. Manik Vamp was open during her set about issues of depression, drug addiction, and a really nasty breakup from a toxic relationship. Her lyrics are definitely inspired by her life experiences. However, I really enjoyed her set, and I’d love to see her backed by a full band, see her dive hard into a bigger stage performance and see what the energy exchange could be with the right band members. The Linger Longer Lounge seemed too small and constrained for who I think is a really dynamic performer, given a bigger venue opportunity. Manik Vamp was the right escalation of energy for the upcoming Paper Foxes set, and I hope Phoenix gets to see more of her in the future.
Setlist:
By the time Paper Foxes came out for their set, Linger Longer Lounge was crowded. Once the band entered, most of the crowd moved forward on the floor to be as near to the band as possible.
Paper Foxes played the entire “Paradise Deluxe” release, starting off with “All That You Want.” It’s a great song, upbeat, catchy, and Johnson’s currently deep, semi-growling vocals are really highlighted in this song. In doing a deep dive into Paper Foxes’ discography going back to 2015, it’s interesting to hear how Johnson’s vocals have evolved over time, transitioning from the higher ranges of the early years to much lower ranges for this release.
Paper Foxes continued through the songs on the new release, periodically chatting with the crowd, thanking them for their support, and Johnson thanking his wife for her support and for her lighting conception for the small venue.
At the end of “Pray,” Johnson joked it was a family song.
“That’s the grandma song right there.”
After finishing “Crystal Ball,” Johnson explained that he and Ciuca had been playing together since their high school days, even playing at Johnson’s graduation party.
“We are much better now,” Johnson joked, to the crowd’s amusement.
Paper Foxes indeed gets better and more creative with each successive release, which is why this band earned “Best of Phoenix: Best Band” in 2021. I believe that we will indeed see much more of this band in the years to come, and I look forward to seeing their evolution.
Setlist:
Encore:
