Paul Natural drops collaboration with Brooklyn's Emerging Artists
Paul Natural, the ongoing solo endeavor of Brooklyn-based artist and producer, Gabriel Stanley, recently teased us with his single, “Eat All My Money.” Featuring the indie-pop synth duo, Airplane Man, “Eat All My Money” allowed us a taste of his new EP, Only Friends. The EP features Paul Natural’s collaborations with…well…his friends – who happen to be some of Brooklyn’s finest emerging artists. Only Friends is now available via all DSPs.
“There was a time during this journey when I had songs out to tons of people all over LA, the UK and other places,” shares Stanley.
“The songs were at various stages of completion. What I eventually realized was that the songs I ended up making organically with friends here in NYC contained something really special. And that’s what ended up on this EP. I can’t wait for people to hear it.”
Only Friends features the previously mentioned “Eat All My Money” as well as “Swept,” featuring Kandy Apple Redd; “On the Rise,” featuring Dominic Augustin; “Close to Me” featuring Miette Hope; “Major Things,” featuring Camille Trust; and “Love Like This,” featuring Evangelia.
Each song on Only Friends has an accompanying video that highlights the individuality of its featured artist.
“I wanted to create a visual accompaniment to each song that was as unique as each artist but that also was engaging without being a distraction,” explains Stanley.
“As someone who genuinely loves a good narrative-driven music video and having been a director or DP for dozens of music videos for other artist over the years, I wanted these to really guide the listener gently through the music since it already has so much going on with regards to density of lyrics and arrangement for a modern pop song.”
Stanley is a Director of Photography by trade and started his career working in the camera department while playing music in New York City. He later worked as a Creative and DP with Pharrell Williams, developing content for Williams company i am OTHER. During this time, Stanley’s artist project PROM released their first Billboard charting single.
In 2012, Stanley founded I Love You As A Person, aka ILYAAP, to aid in expanding his body of work as a Director, DP and a creative. To date, he has worked with clients like eBay, Billboard, The Hollywood Reporter, ABC/Disney, Audi, Conde Nast, Sony/UMG, Larry King, MTV, NBC, and Bravo.
In 2018, Stanley, as Director of Photography, and long-time collaborator Jenna Laurenzo, as Writer, Director, and Star, teamed up with Bobby Farrelly (Dumb and Dumber, There's Something About Mary) and released Lez Bomb in theatres. An action-packed holiday comedy that builds off their 2016 viral sensation, Girl Night Stand, which has amassed over 100 million streams.
Stanley conceived Paul Natural in 2018, after collaborating with Cautious Clay on a remix of his song “Call Me,” which has streams in the millions and continues to appear on playlists globally. In addition to his work as Paul Natural, Stanley has produced singles and LPs for emerging artists like Xoller, Dominic Augustin, and Sleepy Gary in 2021.
“I feel like I live in the center of the world,” shares Stanley. I am always running into new people from different walks of life. I’m always tasting something new, always transforming in some way. It is for sure the largest force that has guided my path as an artist. I’m stoked about this new EP, and I can’t wait to perform live in 2023!”
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