Paula Fong is a Los Angeles-based Americana singer-songwriter, whose musical foundation began early, and from the start was diverse. Summers spent in the French countryside introduced her to Breton folk music, which left a lasting imprint on her songwriting. Over the years she explored a wide range of styles—from classical music to Chinese opera—before finding a creative home in Americana, where country, folk, and spiritual music intersect. She released her debut EP Chestnut Mare in 2024 and is preparing the follow-up release, this time a full album’s worth of music, titled A Bird on the Wing. It was produced by Justin Sinclair, the recordings feature an array of musicians who have worked closely with Fong’s own heroes—the Wailin’ Jennys, Sara Jarosz, Sean & Sara Watkins, and Kacey Musgraves. Three songs began as live sessions at Alan Chang’s studio Swan Dive Sound in Atwater, California, with Fong (acoustic guitar), Phil Glenn, and Casey Lipka performing together in real time. The remaining tracks were recorded at Bell Choir in Glendale with an ensemble including Ethan Sherman, Ellery Marshall, Liam Lewis, Cory Tramontelli, John Schroeder, Kevin Brown, and Drew Taubenfeld, with additional string arrangements by Sinclair and co-production from Glenn. Fong also carefully selected individual background vocalists based on timbre and tone to serve each song’s character.
Today’s premiere is a full band song, it’s a questioning country-tinged song that explores feelings of doubt when the urge to move away comes to the fore. Is driving as far as one can actually achieving anything – can you outrun your doubts? Is love purely transactional – is it only of value if you’re willing to fight for it?
