It is rare that a song comes tumbling out of the hearts and minds of its creators nearly complete. For the songwriting team behind the tune Play Me, a forthcoming single off the new album Autopilot by Ottawa electro-rockers Paragon Cause, inspiration met craft, and the result is a musical masterpiece of subtle swagger and sarcasm, built on the bedrock of compelling and evocative soundscapes, perfect for the cynicism and self-absorbed nature of life in 2021.
“I was just sitting down strumming the guitar when I came up with this cool part. I went and played it for Michelle [Opthof] and Sune [producer/collaborator Sune Rose Wagner of The Raveonettes] and both of them fell in love with it instantly. We recorded the guitar part in two takes, and Michelle only needed two takes from start to finish, making up the lyrics and melody pretty much on the spot before she recorded her vocals,” explained Paragon Cause’s Jay Bonaparte.
“The song is making a pretty strong statement about the way people treat one another and how they act and talk on social media. It’s almost like a tease to all the haters in your life who take advantage of you, but you know that’s what they’re doing so there’s that sarcasm in saying, ‘I will let you play me over and over again.’ I am wise to you now. I know this game. I know how to play it and how to make it work for me,” added Opthof.
"The best memory of recording this song is that after we completed it, we did a rough mix and played it over and over about 30 times on our home stereo. Sune Rose was rocking out to it playing air guitar while we all grooved with a glass of wine. We knew we had something fun, but there was still something missing. So Sune Rose took the song and added a guitar part which really brings the song together. Its pretty incredible hearing Sune's guitar on the song,, its so iconic"
Play Me is the latest in a string of acclaimed singles from Autopilot, and album that has established the duo comprising Paragon Cause as creative forces to be reckoned with for years to come.
credits
from Autopilot - LP, releases August 13, 2021
Written by Jay Bonaparte, Michelle Opthof, Sune Rose Wagner
Performed by Paragon Cause and Sune Rose Wagner
Produced by Sune Rose Wagner
Lyrics: Michelle Opthof
Vocals: Michelle Opthof, Sune Rose Wagner
Guitar: Jay Bonaparte, Sune Rose Wagner
Drums/Bass: Sune Rose Wagne
