Paula Jean Brown

Paula Jean Brown

In 1984, Paula Jean Brown's music career began as a replacement bassist for the Go-Go's, performing with them at the first Rock in Rio festival in 1985 to an audience of over 250,000 people.

Later, Paula co-wrote three songs for Belinda Carlisle's first solo endeavor, Belinda, for IRS records. Of these songs, Mad About You, the first single from the record, became a hit for Carlisle, making it to #3 on the Billboard Pop Chart.

As a guitarist and bassist, Brown is perhaps best known for her contributions as a member of the Tucson-based band Giant Sand. She collaborated with Giant Sand front man Howe Gelb and has continued to be an part of the Giant Sand extended family.

In 1992 she toured with the Steve Wynn Band in support of his second solo record, Dazzling Display. In 1993 Brown formed her own project based out of Tucson Arizona. The Paula Jean Brown Band and consisted of drummer John Convertino , bassist Joey Burns, (of Giant Sand and Calexico), and guitarist Robert Mache (of the Continental Drifters).

After taking a break from music to focus on family, Brown relocated to Austin in the summer of 2005 and began again to concentrate on her songwriting and guitar work. She recently completed a tour playing bass with Sparklehorse for the 2006-2007 tour for the 2006 release Dreamt for Light Years in the Belly of a Mountain.

Paula Jean Brown has been quietly cultivating a collection of songs since 1984. Her range on the guitar and in voice is expansive and illuminating. Her lyrics express a heart that is open to the greatest depth. In 2008, she has invited us in to share.