Meet Paul Versten | Musician & Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Paul Versten and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Paul, do you have some perspective or insight you can share with us on the question of when someone should give up versus when they should keep going?
ShoutoutLA

How to know whether to keep going or to give up?

Great question for me at this particular point in my life – in my 4th decade on the planet and recently finding myself having long-held creative dreams coming true! I’m glad that through the many challenges I’ve faced (mental illness, substance abuse, open heart surgery and more!) I’ve never truly given up on my music and art. The need to create is just such an innate part of me. In fact, even when I began to find myself lost and in addiction I was still creating- sometimes music and art that was surprisingly decent- but because my life was chaos- i found very little success. But I create because I love it, and find new ways to relate to art. Today, Im a teacher- I get to teach the next generation of artists. And I’m releasing my first-ever solo single, “Episodes” which was mixed by the legendary Jay Baumgardner at his NRG studios in North Hollywood! When I was a teenager, I used to deliver pizzas there and fantasize about having my music produced there. Then, on a whim, I sketched out a storyboard for a potential music video. Next thing I know, my recovery community- including many talented individuals- rallied to my cause and we made a video for “Episodes” that I’m really proud of. Please look forward to it! I hope you enjoy it (it’s based on a true story from my life!) Incredibly, another long held dream if mine is coming true. I’ll be playing bass with my friend Ron Beem’s band The Gatsby Affair at the 28th Sober Musician’s Picnic on September 21st! I would have missed out on all of this if I had given up, which is why my advice to any artist or creator is to STAY OPEN and stay out of the results. Create because you love it, and share it! There’s only one you and the world needs your voice, don’t let the inner critic deter you. I just know that for myself, I never give up on something I love, and nothing makes me happier than making stuff and sharing it.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Hi, my name is Paul Versten. I was born in Chicago, Illinois, but I’m an LA guy through and through. I’ve been here since I was a year old. I’m a musician, artist, actor and teacher. I also stream on Twitch and try to be creative in every aspect of my life. I believe that I am co-creating my reality with the Universe on a daily basis.

For as long as I can remember I would always create art through drawing and painting. I started playing music after having an epiphany on mushrooms at the last Los Angeles show the original Grateful Dead with Jerry Garcia ever played. The trip I had showed me how connected we are as human beings, and I realized I wanted to bring love to as many people as possible. I looked at the band. I looked at the crowd. “That’s it! I have to play music!”, I thought. I Bought a guitar that week- I was 17. My friends and I would jam in my family’s Italian Restaurant (Mazzarino’s in Sherman Oaks, RIP) and I ended up touring the country in a ska punk band called the The Adjustments. We played over 500 shows in 5 years! Good times.

The image I have of myself as an artist is rooted in that psychedelic epiphany I had at the show. I want to entertain people, elevate them, help them reconnect with their hearts and get out of their heads—even for a little while. My own head can be a dangerous place, so I try to share the feeling of freedom when I find it.

Lately I’ve been experiencing a creative renaissance of sorts. I’m so excited release my first solo single, a song about love and mental health called “Episodes”. I hadn’t played in a band since touring with my old ska punk band The Adjustments decades ago, and I had been wishing I could. Lo and behold, several months ago I was asked to play bass in my friend Ron Beem’s band, The Gatsby Affair. We just played the Viper Room and are playing the 28th Sober Musician’s Picnic this month- both literally dreams come true! I guess that vision board I made really worked!

It hasn’t been an easy road for me. One of the hardest things I’ve had to overcome in my life, has without a doubt, been my addiction to drugs and alcohol. addiction was only but a symptom of the larger problem – trauma and mental illness. Every day I do battle with my own mind. And every day, I’m able to overcome my difficulties and remember that “it’s a beautiful day-no matter what I think!”

I just wanna let people know that no matter how far down you have fallen – there’s always a way back, and that while your dreams may take different form, they can still come true in ways that will surprise you, and sometimes, be even richer and more rewarding For it. My love my fans so much, they really are the fuel that keeps my fire burning, and I hope to be able to entertain them till I’m old and gray, and even then I hope I can still bring some love to their hearts.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
When my cousin from Chicago was here I made sure to take him to see the Santa Monica pier and we sat down for Teppenyaki at Benihana on 4th Street (I used to work here, and yes- I have my outfit and sometimes wear it! Then Venice Beach Boardwalk was on the itinerary, you never know what you’ll see there and this time we ran into the legendary Harry Perry, the rollerskating rocker. My old band The Adjustments actually played a show with him at the whisky a couple decades ago! My cousin wanted to see the Hollywood Walk of Fame so of course we did that (and we stopped by Musicians Institute, I attended this famous school!) We also explored the venerable Sunset Strip (my old band played the clubs here a lot back in the day, and I recently fulfilled a long-time dream of mine and played the Viper Room (I play bass in The Gatsby Affair!), and of course all the local spots in my Noho Arts District neighborhood like Republic of Pie for, you guessed it- a huge assortment of delicious pies. Lawless Brewing company hosts events I love like the Weirdos of Noho Pop Up Art Show and Amsterdam Cafe is a must for my coffee fix and a chill atmosphere. I’ve lived in LA my whole life and I feel a real connection to so much of the city, I’m a proud Angeleno.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I have to give a huge shoutout to my friend, mentor, and producer Jeff Roberts. A whole book could be written about his accomplishments in the entertainment industry (and luckily, he’s working on one!). From music and film production to podcasting, from serving as honorary historian of the Sunset Strip to being an accomplished guitarist and songwriter—Jeff has done it all. He even created and edited his own magazine, publishing names like Steven Spielberg and Obey.

It was Jeff’s belief in me and his guidance that pushed me out of my comfort zone and finally got me to finish something—and I love him dearly for it. He’s been creating and entertaining for decades, and I don’t see him stopping anytime soon.

I’d also like to shout out my good friend David Conley. He’s a talented and versatile musician and teacher, as well as a phenomenal singer, songwriter and composer (who just so happens to also play keys alongside my bass playing in The Gatsby Affair!). He’s has a phenomenal voice and is currently working on his album (I’ve heard some of it and it’s awesome.)

Website: https://vers10.com

Instagram: @paul_versten_

Soundcloud: https://on.soundcloud.com/9uhx0bkb4BbkFbTGp4

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/paul.versten?mibextid=wwXIfr

Other: Tik-Tok: @paul_versten_

Spotify & Apple Music: Paul Versten

Image Credits
Band photos: @ryanholowesko
Album Cover and Whale Painting by Paul Versten