IN CONVERSATION WITH PAUL KLEIN

interview by JANA LETONJA

Paul Klein is the lead vocalist and guitarist of one of the most successful touring bands, LANY together with drummer Jake Goss. They have become one of the most successful touring bands in the world. Outside of his music, Paul has become one of the most stylish musicians on and off the stage, a frequent front row guest at the fashion shows, Paul has worked with many of the tops brands from Calvin Klein and Marni to Saint Laurent.

So much growth has happened with LANY from its inception to today. What have been the most pivotal moments for you as a band?

I’m very proud of how we’ve persevered through seasons of adversity and consider those moments to be the most pivotal. I went through a public breakup, yet we came out with one of our most beloved albums, ‘Malibu Nights’. The world shut down because of a global pandemic, making it impossible to tour. Instead of wallowing in self-pity, we made 2 albums in that timeframe. Our 3rd member decided to leave the band to pursue other passions, which made Jake and I grow closer, forming a stronger and deeper connection, and have now been on 3 world tours since, each tour breaking the previous tour’s record.

What has it been like to witness the evolution of LANY, from your self-titled debut album to the latest release? How would you describe the progression in terms of sound and themes?

I think the biggest evolution has taken place within us. We believe in ourselves more, which has caused us to dream bigger, which has then changed the way we approach making music. At the end of the day, it still comes down to following our instincts and only releasing what we love. But, we try a lot of stuff in the studio. We’re more open-minded than when we started. We’ve found a way to know who we are and also admit that we don’t know everything, and I think you can feel that evolution, or sense of exploration and discovery through the last 5 albums.

LANY has sold out major arenas worldwide, including being the first international band to sell out 3x nights at the MOA Arena in Manila. How does it feel to achieve such global recognition, and what does it mean to you to connect with audiences around the world?

It’s always been “for the world” for us. I’m sure it has something to do with looking up to bands like Coldplay and U2 who are known for their worldwide presence. The internet can connect people from all over the world, but from my experience, a global audience can only be built in real life via tour. And tour has always been a pillar for us and our culture. The race we’re running is centered around longevity instead of virality. We played our way up to those 3 sold out nights in Manila, which eventually turned into 5 sold out nights there, and then turned into selling out the largest indoor stadium in the world. But it didn’t happen overnight.

With a massive social media following and millions of Spotify streams, how do you manage the balance between maintaining authenticity and engaging with such a large, global fan base?

I only have experience being me. I try to say exactly what I mean and to also communicate in a way that I would want to be spoken to. I do aim to please, but I will never fully know the preferences of a global fanbase. I can only know what I want or would want in their position. Therefore, being authentic and trying to please myself in our artistic endeavors gives me the best chance at effectively leading and engaging our culture.

Your collaborations with artists like Kygo, Lauv, and Julia Michaels have been hits. How do you approach working with other artists, and what do you think you each bring to the table in a collaboration?

So far, all of our collaborations have happened in an organic way. Some were unsolicited, incoming requests that we were flattered by, and others happened by writing a song together in a room. Of course there’s a strategic element involved when two separate artistic worlds collide, but our body of work is something we are proud of and remain protective over, so conviction is always our compass when it comes to choosing collabs.

Your fashion collaborations, like the partnership with Calvin Klein and the YSL collaboration during Paris Fashion Week, seem to align with your creative brand. How do you view the intersection of music and fashion in your career?

Outside of music, the way I dress is my preferred mode of self-expression. Truthfully, I think I’m better at wearing clothes than I am at making music, which is why I’m more interested in music than fashion. The challenge is what keeps me hungry and invested, but I love clothes. I’m constantly trying to find the perfect middle point between dressing as who I am and who I want to become.

LANY has a reputation for being one of the most successful touring bands in the world. What makes a live LANY show so special, and how do you ensure each performance feels fresh for both you and the fans?

It’s a big deal when someone goes to a website, buys a ticket with their hard-earned money, takes time out of their busy schedule, Ubers or pays to park at the venue, waits in line, and then stands in a crowded room, all because they enjoy the music you’ve made and want to be a part of the culture. I feel humbled and truly honored that anyone feels that way about us. Giving 100% for the 2 hours we’re on stage, no matter what might be going on in our lives, is the right thing to do, and it’s a blessing to do it.

How do you keep the connection with fans strong, especially in a digital world where fans are engaging with the band online just as much as they are at live performances?

Nourishing relationships, physically or digitally, is nuanced. There are seasons of steady-flow communication, then times of “space” or distance. Absence can make the heart grow fonder. In this world of yap, I try not to take up space just to take up space, to post just to post. That way, when we speak or have an announcement to make, our fans know it’s important. It’s one way we’ve built trust with our people over the years.

What is coming up next for you, both with LANY and on your solo career path?

I view LANY as my garden. Albums, music videos, and all of our art represented as flower bushes and trees we’ve planted over the years. As we continue to water and prune and then plant new seeds, I look forward to watching our garden bloom and grow.

Specifically in my artistic and professional life, I have spent the last few years developing an affordable alternative to big merch blank garment companies. I have spent the last decade designing merch for our band that had to be printed on less-than-ideal blanks. “How good can art be on a bad canvas?” was the question I kept asking myself. After years of buying, wearing, collecting and studying hoodies, crewnecks, and T-shirts, I’ve come up with a beautiful line of “canvases” for companies and creators to print their art on. The company is called EMPT, and we are currently transitioning to print all LANY merch exclusively on it.

CREDITS:

photography TYLER MAZAHERI