Press Release
Pilgrim. One who journeys to a faraway land. Athens, Georgia band Pilgrim is set to release their sophomore album Neverland. Pilgrim is the brain child of songwriter / multi-instrumentalist Paul McHugh. Paul has been a stalwart in the music scene playing with an incredible variety of bands and musical adventures as either a guitarist or keyboardist or both. Paul has toured just about everywhere either as the keyboardist for Cracker or behind the merch table for the Drive-By Truckers. Paul has seen it all. Paul has played it all. Pilgrim released their first and self titled album in 2014. Now, a few years and thousandsof miles later, the follow-up album is ready to light up the ears of the public.
An often psychedelic yet beautiful yet rocking journey awaits those who put the needle down on this seven-track expedition. Recorded at Chase Park Transductions with master engineers Drew Vandenberg and Henry Barbe, Pilgrim recorded the meat of this album over a 3-day period of frenzied creative momentum. Henry Barbe (son of producer David Barbe) mixed Neverland with incredible ingenuity and originality, creating a sonic masterpiece worthy of any of the great predecessors. Audio nerds, take note and listen hard. Neverland kicks off with the title track, a dirty, hazy stomper about a man lost in the Neverland of a music scene. Never growing old, yet unable to connect with the girl he’s searching for. Next up is the Zeppelin III meets Stax groove “Anna Lucia,” a song of beauty masking the tragic romance of the protagonist and Anna Lucia. Track three is “The Greatest Actor,” a vulnerable Crazy Horse-esque slow jam depicting the acting we all do to guise the inner self. Life is a stage and we are but players in it. Rounding out side A is “La La La.” This sprawling triptych is a melodic dream with toe tapping snap that takes on touring, art, and loss. (Insert shoulder shrug emoji.) Side B comes out blazing with “Watch You Cry,” an angry post-break-up fantasy “masking the song’s actual intention of being a political revenge fantasy,” according to McHugh. May as well watch those that have done harm suffer their own fate. Next is “Night After Night,” the powerful Muscle Shoals-meets-“Hey Jude” piano ballad/rocker. This gorgeous tune about touring, performing, and the power of friendship builds to an incredible climax that could stir the soul of the hardest-hearted. The journey comes to an end with the beautifully psychedelic canvas “Something About This Picture.” Close your eyes, burn one down and go into the inner depths of your mind in the dreamscape of not knowing what the future holds. “A comedy or tragedy - I just don’t really know.”
Neverland will be released on vinyl, CD, and digital platforms on February 12. 2021 on newly-founded Trajectory Records. Now accepting pre-orders - go ahead a reserve yourself a copy of this musical experience. You shan’t be disappointed.
Neverland
All songs written by Paul McHugh
Recorded at Chase Park Transduction, Athens, GA.
Engineered by Drew Vandenberg and Henry Barbe
Produced by Paul McHugh, Drew Vandenberg, and Henry Barbe
Mastered by Jason NeSmith at Chase Park Transduction
Personnel:
Paul McHugh: Vocals, guitar, keyboards, backing vocals, percussion
Richard Mikulka: Guitar
Bryan Howard: Bass
Jim Wilson: Drums, backing vocals
Vaughn Lamb: Backing vocals, tracks 3, 4, 5, 6
Artwork: Graham Shirley
Kind words from a friend:
“Athens is a town full of great musicians and Paul McHugh has long been one of my
favorites. The king of tone on guitar. A Nicky Hopkins-esque badass on keyboards.
On his second album as Pilgrim, he has raised the bar with his singing and songwriting
also. A totally kick-ass Rock and Roll album. Can’t wait to have it on vinyl.”
- Patterson Hood (Drive-By Truckers)
