The Stage - Tomorrow's Music. Today.

Paradigm,
by Melissa Evanko

By dictionary definition paradigm is one that serves as a pattern or model. For Dave Doll, lead singer of Paradigm, the definition is to bring the musicality back to what is lacking the current state of music. In an exclusive interview, Doll shares his thoughts on his passion for music, Paradigm’s debut CD and why it’s fun to rock out in a bookstore.

Paradigm calls the Lehigh Valley home. The band members are: Dave Doll, lead vocals and guitar, Chris Reagle, lead guitar, Chris Severn, bass, and Brian Kessler, drums. The four members have diverse musical backgrounds, ranging from speed metal to polka.

Doll has been involved in music virtually his whole life. "Basically you name it I can play it" he explains about musical instruments. For example, he has played the trumpet for over 21 years, citing "music as all he’s ever done, " and what he plans to continue to do with his life.

The song that Paradigm performed on "The Stage" was "Driven." The guys wanted to choose a song that would incorporate the full band in a stripped down setting. Although this is a new song, the band is still introducing themselves to the public, so no new CD plans yet.

Paradigm’s debut CD, all 8 songs, was recorded in just 3 days, in an old church, right after Christmas. One important aspect of the album, according to Doll was that the band wanted it to have a live sound. They wanted people to listen to the album and basically "hear what they would sound like live." This was important to the band because they enjoy getting out there, playing their music at every chance they can.

The man or ‘catalyst’ for the Paradigm sound is Doll. He is the primary lyric and music man for the band. For Doll a lot of what he writes is about personal experience, but he is quick to not elaborate. He would rather have the listener "get their own meaning in relation to their lives." This way it will become more personal to the listener. What Doll enjoys most is when listeners can have "feelings about their own personal encounters and appreciate the music."

For this musician the songs with personal meaning are not currently found on the airwaves. Doll feels that with radio, the music goes with the trends. There is a lack of musicality in the bands on the radio, basically "if you can drop tune a guitar and scream-" you’ll have a hit right now. Another sure fire equation for success is if you can " lip-synch and have nice rack."

You can catch Paradigm on the Borders Book Tour now through December. This gives the band the opportunity to play in Borders bookstores in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. The band is enjoying this venue, which Doll compares it to a Storyteller’s type setting (that VH1 show where musicians played songs and shared stories.) Doll likes the fact that the audience is right there, literally sitting at your feet. He paused and adds that "when else can you see a rock band in a library."

One of Doll’s concerns is that he doesn’t want Paradigm’s songs to sound the same, that fans would expect what is coming next when listening to the band. For Doll, who is inspired by "living, watching and learning; the everyday experience," you will never find the ordinary. So sit back and spend part of your day listening to four guys who love music as much as you do.