Live Music: Paul Thorn Band

Paul Thorn’s three-decade career, including his new album Life is Just A Vapor, demonstrates that simplicity is strength in songwriting, as he distills profound wisdom into short, impactful mantras for life, advice, and upliftment, inspired by real-life people and events. An “everyman” songwriter, as described by American Blues Scene, Thorn’s candid, folksy truth and humor allow him to expertly balance wit and pathos, whether he’s using songs to advise on love, tell outrageous tales, or contemplate the passage of time—a balance admired by his friend and mentor, the late John Prine, who inspired the title track. Thorn aims for his music to offer listeners something meaningful to “take with them throughout the day,” continuing the storytelling tradition of combining humor and heartfelt honesty with pinpoint precision, as evidenced by the album’s range from the catchy funk of “I’m Just Waiting” to the poignant introspection of “Old Melodies” and the unforgettable, true-to-life narratives like “Geraldine and Ricky.”