Paula Held
DRIVE

Austin-based singer-songwriter Paula Held gave herself permission to follow her muse, the velvet-blue night sky and its cast of heavenly components, when her son transitioned into adulthood and left her with some well-deserved time alone to finally put a pen to her thoughts. The result is sophomore release DRIVE, a crafty concoction of heartfelt folk and vintage jazz that has earned the chanteuse both critical acclaim and stage-time in notable songwriter hubs like Nashville’s Bluebird Cafe.

Produced by veteran Stephen Doster (Nancy Griffith/Lyle Lovett) at Austin’s E.A.R. Studios, DRIVE‘s tracks provide the perfect soundtrack for summer with campfire storytelling (“Tumbleweed Heart”), time-honored ragtime (“You’re My Falling Star”) and lighthearted, organic fare that seamlessly melds the fun, surfer-blues vibe of Jack Johnson with the classic American composition of Cole Porter (“Shoop Ta Sho”). DRIVE‘s lyrical intimacy and blithe instrumentation take listeners on the scenic route to a warmly familiar destination.