John Congleton closes his eyes while singing. It might be difficult to focus on playing a song, on immersing into one’s inner world in the setting of a toilet or a tiny backstage room and for sure, Congleton doesn’t feel comfortable with the idea of going out in the streets for filming the videos. For him and The Paper Chase it does not seem as it is the fun that drives them to make music. Congleton once said writing songs is an outlet for his frequent panic attacks, a way to deal with emotions like fear, anger, love and frustration. Paper Chase lyrics are – corresponding to their noisy music – indeed often aggressive, using metaphors like ghosts, death and fire and make listening to their records or live shows an intense, even voyeuristic experience, providing insight into a troubled mind. The Texas-born John Congleton has not only been writing and recording with The Paper Chase for more than ten years, he is also a sought-after producer, having worked with the likes of Modest Mouse, The Roots or Antony And The Johnsons as well as R. Kelly or Marilyn Manson.

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