::Paul Costa::

Album WALKIN' IN THESE SHOES - OUT NOW!!
Distributed by Shock Records
June 2005

After the Top 10 chart success with his first single I Think I Like It, PAUL COSTA is back with his smooth vocals, ready to win over more fans with the second single from his debut album Walkin' In These Shoes.Written by Will Kimbrough, HOUSE OF MIRRORS has been an audience favourite at shows, and is a killer track. Paul's vocals wrap their way around this emotive ballad, showing his immense vocal ability and talent. Produced by multi golden guitar producer ROD MCCORMACK - Rod has helped to unearth the hidden star of Paul Costa for us all to see - and in doing so has created one of the hottest new acts to hit the scene, and certainly one of the standout Australian country albums of the last year.

HOUSE OF MIRRORS will tantalize and capture you - this is a hit ready to happen!

PAUL PUTS HIS BEST FOOT FORWARD
Country Update March 2005

When Paul Costa was recording his debut album, Walkin’ In These Shoes, he couldn’t help but think to himself, “I’m in heaven”. And rightly so.

He had one of Australia’s best known country producers in Rod McCormack on board. He had some of the country’s finest musos playing the songs and he had some very strong songs to cut.

“We really had the ’A’ team playing in the studio,” Paul laughed when recalling the experience. “It took about five weeks to put down the album but time went so quickly, I didn’t want it to end.” But just as one chapter of the book closes, another opened and from being in heaven to having to get on top of his nerves in Tamworth this year for the album launch, Paul has gone through the full swing of emotions.

He is no stranger to Tamworth, having made the trek to Australia’s country music capital with his brother Don since 1993. Together they have delighted audiences and fans as The Costa Brothers and that was the case again this year. However there was the matter of a solo album launch which was confronting Paul.

He didn’t have to worry, the launch went off without a hitch and afterwards, Paul admits he breathed a sigh of relief. For the talented performer from Robinvale in Victoria, the album marks a change of direction for him musically. Not that it means the end of the popular duo but it was a challenge he felt he had to tackle and a chance to build his own profile.

His brother Don has also released his own album of favourite tracks but for Paul, Walkin’ In These Shoes represents an opportunity to show his individuality. There must have been something there because it’s not everyday you canenjoy the services and professionalism of Rod McCormack but a demo sent to him by Paul obviously created an impression.
“I didn’t know Rod personally but the demo I sent him was answered with a phone call from him which was a real buzz,” Paul said. “I knew I would be in good hands. He had some great songs and I even managed to do a bit of co-writing with him and Gina Jeffreys. “The entire experience was something I won’t forget.” Paul said he was also happy the music chosen for the album not only “flowed” on the playlist, but also showed him as more than a one-dimensional performer.

“I have been used to playing with my brother so going out on my own was like starting like scratch,” he said. “I had totally new material to work with, some great musicians and I just wanted to give it my best shot.” Already the first single, ‘I Think I Like It’ is making and impact on the Australian singles charts and with the film clip getting good rotation on CMC, Paul is hoping plenty of fans “think they like him” and the album. Managing both his own career and continuing to work with brother Don, this year’s Tamworth proved to be extra busy for Paul.

Still he says he is lucky to have his brother there. “He is always very supportive and free with advice,” Paul laughed.
“He is honest with his opinions, sometimes too honest, but it’s good to be able to bounce things off him and get his thoughts and he is behind me with my album.”

Now, after getting through Tamworth, Paul has been busy touring as a solo artist, playing Walkin’ In These Shoes to South Australian country fans before turning his attention further north. “It’s now up to me to make this work and make a name for myself by doing as much touring as I can,” he said. “I would love to head to Queensland and do some festivals, promoting the album along the way.” With an album of such fine pedigree, Paul Costa will have plenty of people wishing they were in his shoes.

PAUL COSTA might be better known for his duo work with brother Don in the COSTA BROTHERS, but now he’s stepped out for his first solo release, Walkin’ In These Shoes. Produced by ROD MCCORMACK, the album is strong with power ballads in the style of GEORGE STRAIT, subtle Latino influences and silky south of the border elegance.

“I just love George and the MAVERICKS, ROY ORBISON and JOHNNY CASH – that cool, smooth sound. I kinda think that that part of the market in Australia hasn’t been explored “ Paul said. “When we started the project we wanted something a little different, and me being of Italian background, it just suits me; who I am.”

It was a great leap of faith for Paul and his wife Suzy to make the trip from Robinvale, on the Murray River, 80 kilometres from Mildura, to Gosford on the NSW Central Coast for the months it took to record the album.
“Rod and Gina (Rod’s partner and country music superstar GINA JEFFREYS) made us so welcome,” Paul said. “In the back of my mind I was kind of worrying, were they going to care what happened to this new guy or were they just in it to do a job, but I shouldn’t have worried. They were 100 percent committed and caring. Rod really put his heart and soul into the project.”

Paul’s brother Don wasn’t involved in this project, being a venture that Paul needed to complete as a sole artist, but the duo has by no means been abandoned.

“We’ve been going to Tamworth for thirteen years now,” Paul said “and we just finished the Mildura Country Music Festival together. This solo album is something that I’ve always wanted to do; to see if I could perform at that level, with a producer like Rod and with Australia’s finest musicians.

“I always wanted to record something that was of such high quality that it would be considered for the Golden Guitars. Not that I am disregarding the albums that Don and I recorded, but they’re more like ‘road albums’ or albums of cover songs to sell at concerts. Good albums, but this album is different; it’s more personal, more intimately me.”
Each song from the new album was individually chosen from the vast library of work that Rod has compiled as one of Australia’s top producers.

“Rod had access to a lot of great songs and we chose most of the tracks from the album from them,” Paul said. He was also delighted to have had had the opportunity to write several tracks with Rod, Gina and ADAM HARVEY. “I can’t say that I’m polished songwriter by any means, but I thought that to make it more personal I’d put forward a few of my ideas and see how they’d stand up. Rod, Gina and Adam were happy to sit down with me and work on them. “When It’s Love is a beautiful ballad, written with Adam and Rod. Then Gina came in one day, feeling inspired and we wrote When The Right On Comes Along and I’m Just A Man. “She didn’t have to do that. She is just that sort of person; warm and open hearted.

“When we were looking for the first single, Rod advised something catchy, a quick fix to tantalise before hooking the public with the follow-up single – one to thrill, so to speak.” That single is I Think I Like It, an infectious tune with a strong Latin rhythm.

“We released it to radio in September and the film clip is playing on CMC, so thank you to everyone who requested the track – keep those requests coming.” The follow-up single is still undecided. “I’m leaning towards House Of Mirrors,’ Paul said. “I also love Incommunicado. But I’m not committed I’m open to feedback”. With a wealth of high quality tracks, there is not doubt that the decision will be tough. Paul Costa has stepped up to the mark and is walking into a bright future.

COUNTRY UPDATE – DEC 2004
REVIEWS
PAUL COSTA
Walkin’ In These Shoes

Paul Costa’s debut album, Walkin’ In These Shoes, has class stamped all over it thanks to a combination of Paul’s great vocals, great songs and musos, and award-winning producer Rod McCormack. There’s an eclectic mix of songs on the 12-track playlist, ranging from solid ballads to toe tappers.Throw in some Latin influences, the odd jazz/blues feel and a bunch of songs, which don’t assault the senses and Walkin’ In These Shoes comes up trumps.

There’s plenty of depth to the album, both in the substance of the songs and musical backing with an unmistakable country flavour.

There’s a familiarity about the album, which adds to its appeal. Paul’s warm vocals easily master emotive ballads such as ‘When It’s Love’, the powerful ‘Stoneage Romeo’, the soulful ‘When My Lips Are Sealed’ or ‘I’m Just A Man’. He mises it up with Tex/Mex rhythms of ‘I Think I Like It’, the hint of jazz coming through on the laid back ‘Memory Maker You’, or pumping it up on the excellent ‘What Else Could Go Wrong’.

As an introduction, this CD augurs well for a promising career.