Paulo Ward Tells His Story & Talks New Album From “Paulo and the Problems”

Intro:

For today’s interview article, we have Paulo and the Problems & they just released their second album as a group titled “Stupid Sexy Paulo”. Paulo Ward is the spearhead for this release & the New Jersey native has been creating unique sounds for years. Not only is he a multifaceted producer, DJ & engineer, but he has spent years working behind the scenes alongside his label Fogwood Records. This project serves as a collaborative effort between Paulo & a collective band of his fellow labelmates to create some fun music for the people. Before reading our brief conversation, make sure you check out their new album below.

Me: How would you describe your creative process as a team while making “Stupid Sexy Paulo”?

Paulo Ward: This record was completely influenced by our last album. We wrote around 30 songs for the first album, and from those demos, we recorded around 16 of them in the studio. We ended up with 9 of those that made the final album. Through that whole process, I had a favorite song, and it was the last song I cut from the album. It was heartbreaking, but it just didn't fit the vibe of that album. After the album dropped, I decided I had to find a way to use that song, so I began working on this album, where that song would fit. That song was "Cruise Control".

And, did you guys draw inspiration from any other specific genres or artists?

Definitely. This record is rooted mostly in old-school R&B and hip-hop, but there's a huge influence from a lifetime of analyzing so many different styles. R&B inspired the way I approached the arrangement - lots of warm from synths, Rhodes, and guitars, funk baselines, and lots of nostalgic vibes. I also listened to a lot of the Neptunes and A Tribe Called Quest while working on this.

Nice! From there, how would you describe your overall style of music in general? All the music I’ve heard has been pretty unique.

We've joked that we're creating a new genre called "City-Hop" - a mix of Hip-Hop, R&B, and Japanese City Pop. It’s nostalgic but still forward-looking. The sound has definitely evolved. I started out playing punk and producing indie stuff, then moved into session work and behind-the-scenes production. This project is the first time I’ve tried to bring all those influences together and make something that feels like me. We also found a new engineer to work with, Eric Von. He deserves a lot of credit, too, and I consider him a part of the band. He's the glue that makes a record full of old-school and modern sounds feel so natural.

Are there any specific themes or messages you hope listeners take away from their listening experiences?

I wanted to make fun music again. I was listening to a lot of A Tribe Called Quest while making this, and it really reminded me of a time when music had depth, but was also just fun.

I also agree that’s something that’s definitely been missing for a while. What was the most challenging part of making the record?

Letting go of perfectionism. When you’re used to working behind the scenes, there’s this instinct to tweak and refine forever. But with this record, I had to trust the rawness—let the cracks show a little. The hardest part was stepping out from behind the curtain and saying, “Yeah, this one’s mine.”

How did you guys come up with the current stage name for the group? Has it always been the same?

My name is pretty common, and I used to use it. The problem with that was that I had trouble getting usernames for social media, email, etc., and if you searched my name, it was hard to find my music. When I had my first job, I filed my taxes and was excited to get my refund check in the mail. When it finally came, it was made out to "Paulo Ward". I was confused and tried to see if maybe I got someone else's refund by mistake, but from what I could tell, there was nobody with that name. It was just a clerical error. I started using it, and with this project, I wanted a more "band" feel, so a friend suggested "Paulo and the Problems".

And outside of “Stupid Sexy Paulo,” are there any upcoming releases or plans that you're comfortable sharing with the readers?

We’ve got some really fun stuff lined up. Animated music videos featuring my dog Nico are already rolling out, and we’re planning a lot of giveaways. I’m also producing some music for other artists on the Fogwood Records roster, including one full collab LP with Saynave and another with Mekfly, and we’re exploring the next Paulo and the Problems project already—something a little dreamier, a little more left-field.

And finally, in your own words, why should a new listener check this album out today?

This is a very collaborative album. We don't' have a vocalist, so we rely on features. Luckily, I'm a part of an amazing record label and everyone is so talented. I get the chance to work with all of them, so even if you aren't a Paulo and the Problems fan, you'll likely be a fan of one of the features.