Paul McDonald Talks Music, Healing & "So Long to the Dark Side"

For the first time in eight years, Paul McDonald is back with a brand-new album, So Long to the Dark Side. The album captures an energy that feels alive, raw, and honest, thanks to its live-to-tape recording process with McDonald’s band, The Mourning Doves. Ahead of his album release show at Skinny Dennis in East Nashville, he shared with East of 8th his insights into the journey that brought him here, the personal struggles that shaped this album, and how his community has influenced his sound and his life. With a long-awaited new chapter in his career, Paul opens up about the healing power of music and the full-circle moment of celebrating his new album in the heart of East Nashville

Q. (East of 8th) We had the chance to listen to So Long to the Dark Side and loved it. The energy captured in the album feels so much larger than what you’d expect on a record. It feels alive. Our understanding is that it was recorded live-to-tape. Can you share more about that experience and what it brought to the table?

A. (Paul McDonald) Of course. The album was tracked live on the floor with the original lineup of my band The Mourning Doves. At the time, we were playing a lot of shows together and had really locked into a sound that felt cohesive and alive. There’s a different energy when you cut a record off the grid. Everyone’s fully present, no safety net, just instinct and connection. That kind of immediacy brings out the best in the players and lets the band’s chemistry speak for itself. We really wanted to try and capture that.

Q. Leading up to the release of the album, you mentioned resisting the idea of recording again after shelving several albums but being approached by Bobby Holland with an offer to record the band. What about the opportunity to work with Bobby made you feel ready to give it another go?

A. Bobby is amazing. What stood out most was his enthusiasm. He brings a contagious positivity and an energy that lifts everyone up around him. Beyond that, he was genuinely passionate about the songs and truly believed in the band. He also took the time to understand not just the music, but me as an artist & the heart behind the vision. That kind of trust and alignment is rare in a producer.

Q. This is your first album in 8 years. What changes have you gone through as an artist during that time, and what key moments have been catalysts in your development?

A. It’s surreal to say it out loud…eight years. That’s a significant stretch of life. In that time, I’ve had to start over more than once. Every band I was part of eventually dissolved. I went from playing packed-out arenas to waiting tables, washing dishes, working construction, and playing dive bars struggling to pay my bills. It was a crash course in humility.

I’ve had to rebuild everything from the ground up as a solo artist, as a human being. There’s been countless setbacks, and even more people telling me I wasn’t good enough or offering some version of “no” wrapped in polite dismissal. But every challenge only made me dig deeper, work harder, and sharpen my focus.

This past year brought the greatest loss. I lost my mom and my grandma. That’s probably been the hardest thing I’ve had to walk through up to this point. It’s brought grief that is reshaping me in ways I’m still beginning to understand.

And yet, through all of it, I wouldn’t change a thing because I can’t change a thing. Every trial has taught me something essential. I’m deeply grateful for the journey, the lessons, and the chance to still be doing what I love. It feels like a gift to be here, making music, and preparing to share these songs on the road again. After everything, getting another shot at this… it truly feels like a dream.

Paul McDonald So Long to the Dark Side Album Art — **Paul McDonald *So Long to the Dark Side* Album Art**

Q. You’ve said So Long to the Dark Side helped you heal and brought you back to life. Both are deeply personal. What part of the recording process felt most therapeutic for you?

A. I mean, there’s nothing quite like the feeling of writing a song that not only resonates, but helps you heal….one that marks a turning point and allows you to move into the next chapter of your life. That’s the feeling I’m always chasing. Every song on this record represents a pivotal moment in my personal journey forward.

Then came the band and the sound. That part was just as important. It’s hard to fully put into words, but I spent a lot of the past eight years feeling lost. Some of what I went through was deeply traumatic, and it took time (more time than I expected) to even begin processing it all. I had to rediscover who I was after life unraveled in ways I never saw coming.

I was searching, grasping for clarity, for identity. But in finding these songs…and in finding the sound…I found myself again. This music brought me back to life. It feels like I’ve finally come home to who I really am.

Q. Was there a specific moment that marked a shift for you during this journey?

A. The shift didn’t happen all at once. It unfolded slowly, over time, through a series of deeply personal moments. This album was written across five years, and in that span, life handed me a lot to process. The pandemic, like for many, was a seismic event. But beyond that, there were more intimate, transformative experiences: getting remarried and finding a deeper sense of partnership, spending real time with my wife, and perhaps most profoundly witnessing my mother’s battle with cancer.

Each of those chapters reshaped the way I see the world, and in turn, how I write about it. They weren’t just milestones; they were perspective-altering. And all of it found its way into the songs.

Q. The album release show on July 17 at Skinny Dennis feels especially fitting given your involvement in the East Nashville music scene through indie festivals and charity events. How has the Nashville community influenced So Long to the Dark Side, and what does it mean to celebrate the album’s release in that environment?

A. East Nashville has been my home for over a decade now. I’ve lived 5 Points long enough to have played just about every dive bar and venue on this side of the river more times than I can count. While this will be my first time playing at Skinny Dennis, it feels like the perfect place to celebrate the release of the album. It’s the new spot on the east side and it’s right in the heart of the community that shaped so much of who I am as an artist.

The residency I did at The Underdog back in 2023 was one of the most meaningful seasons of my life. It brought together so many of my favorite musicians, bands, and friends. That spirit of connection and collaboration ultimately became the foundation for “One Big Love“, my music and arts festival. It all started here.

Celebrating its release here feels like a full-circle moment, and I couldn’t be prouder to be part of this neighborhood and community.

Q. The album already has a concert vibe to it, how has that energy carried over to the stage and what can people expect at Skinny Dennis this week?

A. This show is really a celebration. The band is firing on all cylinders right now. We’ve been out on the road a lot, and the chemistry is dialed in. The goal for this one is simple: have fun and treat it like a proper neighborhood hang.

We’ll be playing the new album in full, along with some favorites from my previous records. And in true East Nashville fashion, don’t be surprised if a few special guests pop up throughout the night. We’re also lucky to have Maggie Koerner coming up from New Orleans to open the show. She’s an incredible talent, and I think this community is really going to connect with her music. It’s going to be a great night.

As Paul McDonald prepares to celebrate the release of So Long to the Dark Side with a hometown performance at Skinny Dennis, it’s clear that the music is more than just a collection of songs—it’s a testament to his resilience, growth, and the community that helped shape his journey. With a sound that captures the rawness of his experiences and a live show that promises to bring that energy to life, Paul’s next chapter is set to be his most powerful yet. Catch him at Skinny Dennis on July 17 for what’s sure to be a night of connection, celebration, and unforgettable music.

Listen to So Long to the Dark Side:

On Spotify: