Local Troubadour Paul Schalda to Hit the Road with Built to Spill

There is a distinct, soulful grit to Paul Schalda’s voice. It’s got this warm and weathered sound that feels like a long drive down a dusty Texas highway. If you caught his triumphant opening set for Midlake last November in Fort Worth, you already know the Dallas-based troubadour possesses a rare ability to quiet a restless room. Now, Schalda is packing up his guitars and taking that singular sound on the road alongside Boise indie-rock legends Built to Spill.

This fall, the tour swings through the Lone Star State for five highly anticipated stops, including back-to-back North Texas shows on Sept. 22 and Sept. 23.

“When I was touring with Charles Bradley, we played a festival in Boise with Built to Spill, and I introduced myself to Doug,” Schalda tells the Observer. “We hit it off and kept in touch.”

That casual backstage introduction laid the groundwork for this upcoming fall run. But Schalda’s reverence for Martsch’s pioneering guitar work and songwriting ethos runs much deeper than a passing festival friendship.

The Blueprint of an Indie Rock Masterpiece

Long before he was sharing a bill with them, Schalda looked to Built to Spill as a guiding light for his own creative pursuits.

“Without making too much of a thing of it, Built to Spill was one of the most influential bands for me when it came to me wanting to pick up a guitar and start writing my own songs,” Schalda says.

He points specifically to the band’s 1997 sweeping opus as a major catalyst.

“Perfect From Now On just sat so well with me,” he says. “I loved the changing moods throughout each song. The fact that Doug put together a record of eight-minute-long epics on a major-label release spoke a lot about how he viewed music and how an artist should never stray from what they want to release to their audience. That sentiment is one I’ve always shared.”

The connection to the band’s discography even echoes through Schalda’s earlier days living in West Texas.

“When [1999’s Keep It Like a Secret] came out, I was living in El Paso taking care of my grandmother and the few friends I had made out there, and I would listen all the time,” he notes.

What to Expect on Stage (and the Court)

When Schalda steps up to the microphone in Fort Worth and Dallas this September, fans can expect a sprawling journey through his diverse musical catalog. His blend of raw soul, folk and indie sensibilities translates beautifully to the live stage.

“My set will consist of songs from the new record Lately, as well as songs from the family band The Sha La Das and old projects Paul & The Tall Trees and Las Los,” Schalda says. He also hints at some unreleased surprises: “Maybe a couple of new ones, as we’ve tracked a new record earlier this year.”

The synergy between the two acts promises a stellar night of music for Texas fans. But the camaraderie won’t stop when the venue doors lock. If you live near a local park, you might just spot the musicians blowing off steam before soundcheck.

“Doug is as big a basketball fan as I am, so you might catch us playing a pickup game at a park in the cities we perform in,” Schalda adds.

The Fort Worth show will take place at Tannahill’s Tavern and Music Hall on Sept. 22, while the Dallas show is set for the Echo Lounge and Music Hall on Sept. 23. Whether you show up for the masterful guitar tones of Built to Spill or the deeply poetic soul of Paul Schalda, these Texas shows are destined to be a highlight of the fall concert season. Tickets are on sale now.