Paula Fong – “A House Is Not A Home”
Americana Highways presents this premiere of Paula Fong’s song “A House Is Not A Home,
from her forthcoming album Chestnut Mare, which is slated for release on September 6. This song will be out on August 2. The album was recorded at The Birdhouse in Los Angeles. It was produced and engineered by Michael Starr and mastered by Ian Sefchick.
“A House Is Not A Home” is Paula Fong on lead vocals and acoustic guitar; Michael Starr on electric, acoustic and slide guitar; Cory Tramontelli on upright and electric bass;Deacon Marquinn on drums and percussion; Phil Glenn on violin, mandolin, banjo, acoustic guitar, piano, and backing vocals; Johnny Flaugher on upright bass; Phil Parlapiano on Wurlitzer; Nate Richert on percussion; and Teresa James, Abby Posner, Leeann Skoda, Daniel Landau, and Ben Matin on background vocals.
Oftentimes the simple things are the ones you remember, and this song lands gently in that category. It’s a happy-go-lucky song that’s ageless and timeless; and the sunny feeling that bursts upon you is something a lot of folks are craving nowadays. The song is rich with strings and Paula’s clear open vocals. “A house is not a home until it’s two hearts together, and I don’t see why it shouldn’t be your heart and mine. ”
This is hands down the fastest song I’ve ever written. It took me around 15 mins to write it top to bottom, chords and lyrics, and felt like it just flew out of my head onto the page. I often write about fairly heavy subjects, but in this case I thought I’d just try out a zippy little tune that puts a smile in your heart and makes you want and tap your feet. I often get compliments that it sounds like an effortlessly classic old country tune. When I was in my early 20’s I moved from Los Angeles to NC for a time to work at an outdoor Montessori/Quaker farm school that was located in the foothills of the Appalachian mountains. Life there was full and busy, but in a different way from LA. Many things were clearer, more simple, more joyful in a way. I feel like this song captures one facet of the simplicity of that time (and some specific NC references – traveling across the mountains, chickens in the garden). Generally speaking, I think love is hardly simple, but there are certainly moments that can feel as easy and carefree as this song. – Paula Fong
Check her website for more information: https://paulafong.com/
