The Camino Side Project -Vilma’s Soundtrack

Paul Farran is a multi-instrumentalist who hails from Montreal, Canada.  Farran is at the helm of his project, The Camino Side Project, whose music spans his travels from around the world.  The conception of The Camino Side Project’s debut album has guided him from Africa to Asia and back, and through Europe and North America.

The Camino Side Project was conceptualized as Paul, his wife Susanne, and their 2 little children backpacked a half year.  From Zimbabwe, where they were stationed as international development workers for 6 years, they traveled to South East Asian and ended their journey in Egypt, with a number of stops along the way.  Their impressions on this trip was recorded in the album, of movement & music.  The Camino Side Project serves as a vehicle for Farran to document his continuing journeys and life experiences.

The debut, of movement & music is like an introspective journal that channels a “road trip” vibe to the album, as the evocative and warm soundscapes on the record fuses an inescapable wanderlust feel with acoustic melodies, a rock-driven sound, and baritone vocals.

The single, “Vilma’s Soundtrack” is from the debut album, and is a prime example of the excellent cadences to be found off the record.  A whirl of rummaging acoustic guitars create a lush and warm and effusive sound.  Farran’s baritone vocals certainly cast a warm glow on the track.  The heartfelt melodies are bright and sun-soaked.

The gorgeous cadences evoke a homey and solid slice of life.  Drums and percussions also accompany the range of acoustic guitars.  The song offers up a heart-warming duet that sounds off with some world instruments into its repertoire.

This is a beautiful track that is sung with magical ease.  On this eye-opening single, Farran takes fresh melodies with a distinct acoustic folk rock and World Beat vibe and melds Cohen-inspired vocals to create something that bares honesty and authenticity.

“Vilma’s Soundtrack” is from The Camino Side Project’s debut album, of movement & music.  The album was record in 2017 & 2018 on 4 continents and 11 countries, in 14 studios, over 18 months.  Over the course of making the record, Farran has enlisted the help of 25 fellow musicians and music professionals around the world to create the album.

Between 1996 and 2004, Farran was the guitarist, songwriter and co-founder of Montreal-based alt-rock band, Pacer, and continues to be influenced by 90’s alt rock, post hardcore, and 70’s rock till this very day.

Paul Farran’s diverse musical influences range from indie-folk to alternative and hard rock, to Americana, blues, and world beat.  All these musical styles and more resonate passionately in The Camino Side Project’s latest, of movement & music.  7.7/10

My Nguyen

Stream Single: “Vilma’s Soundtrack”