Meet award-winning Nova Scotian singer-songwriter and performer, Guy Paul Thibault whose latest album, Road Between won the 2019 International Album of the Year from the International Singer-Songwriter Association (ISSA).
20 Questions with Guy Paul Thibault
1. Your first job.
Like a lot of people, my first job was in a hot, messy, chaotic fast-food chain kitchen. Those jobs turn a lot of people off fast-food, but it started a life long love affair with it for me. It also made me fall in love with old Halifax (the job was in old Halifax Historic Properties).
2. The job you always wanted as a child?
Other than being a space smuggler like Han Solo, or a solider, being a musician was the only thing I ever dreamed of. I never thought I’d be able to make a living doing it, but I knew it would be a life long hobby or passion.
3. Your pet peeve.
There used to be lots of little things that bothered me that I’ve learned to let go of over the years, but being on the road so much these past few years, I would have to say, bad drivers. The lack of knowledge of basic rules of the road and the lack of politeness and courtesy to other drivers is appalling. Everyone has to get to that next red light or stop sign as fast as humanly possible, and no one enjoys the simple pleasure of diving, relaxing and taking it all in anymore.
4. Your hero.
I’ve never had one overall hero. There’s a huge laundry list of people from celebrities and historical figures, to everyday people that I personally know, that have all been inspirations to me in a million different ways.
5. Your biggest indulgence.
I’m kind of lucky I got a lot of that out of the way as a young man. At this point, it’s kind of narrowed down to pizza and great, great guitars.
6. One thing no one knows about you.
Wait, if I actually put it down here, then everyone would know!
7. Three things you would want with you on a deserted island.
Without question a guitar! Actually, can I just bring 3 guitars? If I can’t just take three guitars then I’d say a guitar, an endless supply of coffee and a pen and paper (is that four things?)
8. The one word your best friend would use to describe you.
Complicated.
9. If they made a movie about your life, who would it star?
Possibly Homer Simpson or Peter Griffin. I’d really like to see Homer’s interpretation of me. I’d watch that movie.
10. Hero or villain?
I’ve been both and I’ve known both. In the end, the hero is always a better way to live. Karma does catch up to you after a while.
11. Your life’s motto/mantra.
Trying to be a better person every day. Some days it’s just something small, some days its a huge leap of faith off a cliff trying something new, but always trying to be better, even just a little bit.
12. The last book you read.
Hardcore Troubadour: The Life and Near Death of Steve Earle by Lauren St. John. Wow, what a story.
13. The song that is getting the most play right now on your Spotify playlist.
It’s always changing. Usually whatever song I’m trying to learn and then something local. So right now it’s Steve Earle’s Nothing But A Child (see question 12 above) and Christina Martin’s new release.
14. If you were a cartoon character, what cartoon character would you be?
This one’s kind of on the line, is Wolverine a “cartoon” character, or a comic-book character? I actually have him tattooed on my forearm. The comic book character is a Canadian, grumpy, gruff, and seems to come back stronger and stronger from adversity and bad situations, I can relate.
15. What will it say on your grave marker?
On vacation.
16. Who would you most like to have dinner with?
At first, I thought someone from history would be fascinating. Maybe World War II history. But then I thought about it, and I’m usually fascinated and captivated by anyone I have dinner with. Everyone has such amazing stories and lives, we only have to listen to them.
17. Your idea of happiness.
Feet up, a great cup of coffee, a good view and good company early in the morning. Or feet up, a great campfire, a guitar, and good company. Yeah, those are pretty good, but maybe my time on stage would be the best. On a great night my face will hurt from laughing and smiling, how can that not be my happiness?
18. If you could go back in time, what would you tell your twenty-year-old self?
Relax and try to live and enjoy the moment as much as you can. The future will arrive no matter what. Appreciate the journey and stop wishing and dreaming the now away, when the now can be just as good if not better than what’s coming.
19. The one thing in your life that makes you most proud.
That I am able to make my living playing music. I don’t know how long I’ll be able to do that, or how long my luck will hold out, but I dreamed of it my whole life, and at least for the time being, I am able to do that.
20. To be or not to be?
For the time being, to be.
Meet Guy Paul Thibault
Guy Paul Thibault is an award-winning Nova Scotian singer-songwriter and performer. He’s one of Atlantic Canada’s busiest musicians, performing hundreds of shows all over the Maritimes every year. He prides himself on a high energy show that embodies the spirit of the maritime kitchen party: songs, stories, sing-alongs, laughs and original songs.
Guy Paul has released two albums in the past three years, both receiving dozens of award nominations and airplay worldwide on independent and community radio stations in Australia, South Africa, Europe, America and here in Canada.
His latest album, Road Between recently won the 2019 International Album of the Year from the International Singer-Songwriter Association (ISSA). He continues to hold the record on a New Jersey radio station, where he has had one single or another on its “top ten most requested songs” for more than two years straight (and still going strong).
Guy Paul continues to tour, work and record music from his home in Cole Harbour. You can always keep track of where he is and what is going on through his official website, Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. You can find new music from him on Spotify, iTunes, Apple Music, Amazon and Google Play.