Past You Oughta Know feature Paul McDonald is celebrating the release of his long-awaited debut album, Modern Hearts, tonight at Analog. Since we chatted with McDonald back in April 2017, he’s struck on a brand of Americana-R&B that’s somehow equal parts Khalid and Rod Stewart. While that sounds impossible, we promise it’s the perfect soundtrack for hot summer evening in Tennessee.
“I’m super excited to finally get this music out into the world,” McDonald told us. “It took me almost four years to get this one right. I had to go through a whole lot of life, struggle, heartbreak, ego, bullshit, love, forgiveness, and then a whole lot more of all that stuff to get out of my own head and finally put out this record. It’s the most I’ve ever worked on any piece of music. The whole team involved is brilliant and I learned so much in the process. I hope you feel something special when you listen to these songs. Making this record saved my life.”
Here’s to hoping it could save someone else’s at the show tonight. Read up on McDonald—and his love for Willy Wonka—by checking out our past feature here, and click here for ticket info.