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St. Paul and the Broken Bones perform in The Current studio

Paul Janeway of St Paul and the Broken Bones
Paul Janeway of St Paul and the Broken BonesMPR photo/Leah Garaas
  Play Now [21:11]

by Jill Riley

June 06, 2014

St. Paul and the Broken Bones, a seven-piece band from Birmingham, Ala., were in town for a sold-out show at the Varsity Theater when they stopped in to The Current for a session hosted by Jill Riley.

In the context of this band, "St. Paul" is not a reference to the Minnesota city we know and love; it's a nickname frontman Paul Janeway earned due to his abstemious lifestyle, which just might be the secret to his soulful voice. The band came about when Janeway and his good friend, Jesse Phillips, decided to record some songs as a "last hurrah" — happily, it was just the beginning.

Now touring in support of their album, Half the City, which was recorded in the fabled recording mecca of Muscle Shoals, Ala., St. Paul and the Broken Bones are making their first visit to Minnesota.

In the interview, Janeway tells Jill more about his trajectory as an artist and about the band's background. He also shares a story behind his white patent-leather shoes, which remind him and Jill Riley of those worn by Cousin Eddie in the film, National Lampoon's Vacation.

Songs Performed


"Call Me"
"Half the City"
"I'm Torn Up"
All songs off the album Half the City, out now on Single Lock Records.

Hosted by Jill Riley
Produced by Jade
Engineered by Michael DeMark, Derrick Stevens and Corey Schreppel