{"version":"1.0","type":"rich","provider_name":"Acast","provider_url":"https://acast.com","height":250,"width":700,"html":"<iframe src=\"https://embed.acast.com/$/62bc729dcf1ab400126c1e1b/66731114d51efba9c84613d3?\" frameBorder=\"0\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\"></iframe>","title":"Paul Chastain: The Small Square's big sounds","thumbnail_width":200,"thumbnail_height":200,"thumbnail_url":"https://open-images.acast.com/shows/62bc729dcf1ab400126c1e1b/1718816838563-d81fb171b9abfb421eac1e6fccd362ea.jpeg?height=200","description":"<p>Today, the Spotlight shines On singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist <strong>Paul Chastain</strong>.</p><p>Paul is one half of the duo <strong>The Small Square</strong>, with drummer, percussionist, and vocalist John Louis Richardson. He is also a songwriter for and co-founder of the group <strong>Velvet Crush</strong> and has worked with Matthew Sweet, Roger McGuinn, Susanna Hoffs, the late Tommy Keene, and many others.</p><p>Paul and John released the second record from The Small Square, <em>Ours &amp; Others</em>, on <a href=\"https://farmtolabelrecords.com/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Farm to Label Records</a> in October 2023. While separated by a continent and ocean (Paul lives in Japan, John in Wisconsin), they co-produced the record and created a modern sound using modern techniques rooted in classic songwriting and musicianship in the Beatles, Beach Boys, and Big Star tradition.</p><p>Enjoy!</p><p>(The musical excerpts heard in the interview are from The Small Square’s album <em>Ours &amp; Others</em>)</p><p>–</p><p><strong>Dig Deeper</strong></p><ul><li>Purchase The Small Square’s <em>Ours &amp; Others</em> from <a href=\"https://www.qobuz.com/us-en/album/ours-others-the-small-square/amj19pusnhjzb\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Qobuz</a>, <a href=\"https://thesmallsquare.bandcamp.com/album/ours-others\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Bandcamp</a>, or directly from <a href=\"https://farmtolabelrecords.com/product/ours-others-by-the-small-square-cd/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Farm to Label Records</a>. You can also listen to the album on <a href=\"https://songwhip.com/thesmallsquare/ours-and-others\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">your streaming platform of choice</a></li><li>Follow The Small Square on <a href=\"https://www.facebook.com/TheSmallSquare\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Facebook</a> and <a href=\"https://www.instagram.com/smallish.square/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Instagram</a></li><li><a href=\"https://trouserpress.com/reviews/velvet-crush/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Velvet Crush | Trouser Press</a></li><li><a href=\"https://www.avclub.com/a-beginners-guide-to-the-heyday-of-power-pop-1972-198-1798234154\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">A beginners' guide to the heyday of power-pop, 1972–1986</a></li><li><a href=\"https://glidemagazine.com/297754/paul-chastain-talks-synthesizers-songwriting-and-the-small-squares-ours-others-interview/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Paul Chastain Talks Synthesizers, Songwriting, and The Small Square’s ‘Ours &amp; Others’</a></li><li>Be sure to peruse this episode’s extensive show notes at <a href=\"https://www.spotlightonpodcast.com/episodes/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">spotlightonpodcast.com</a></li></ul><p>–</p><p>• Did you enjoy this episode? Please share it with a friend! You can also rate Spotlight On ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and leave a review on Apple Podcasts. </p><p>• Subscribe! Be the first to check out each new episode of Spotlight On in your podcast app of choice. </p><p>• Looking for more? Visit <a href=\"https://www.spotlightonpodcast.com/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">spotlightonpodcast.com</a> for bonus content, web-only interviews + features, and the Spotlight On email newsletter. You can also follow us on <a href=\"https://www.instagram.com/spotlightonpod/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Instagram</a>, <a href=\"https://www.facebook.com/spotlightonpod/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Facebook</a>, and <a href=\"https://social.lol/@spotlightonpod\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Mastodon</a>. </p><p>• Check out Spotlight On’s next live event at The Royal Room in Seattle on Saturday, June 22! <a href=\"https://theroyalroomseattle.com/event/spotlight-on-improvisation-in-music-and-life-with-the-james-falzone-division-ensemble/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">More info here.</a></p>","author_name":"Lawrence Peryer"}