Paul Gatien

Paul was born and mostly raised in Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada.  In describing his musical journey, he says:

"It began at home—my dad played guitar, sparking my interest in the instrument. My grandfather, though he couldn't carry a tune or play an instrument, would compose lyrics and melodies in his sleep and remember them upon waking. His entertaining spirit left a lasting impression on me. I vividly recall sneaking into his bedroom during family gatherings, coaxing him to sing a song while he slept—a mischievous habit that earned me a reputation as a bit of a brat."

Paul's passion for songwriting was ignited in his teenaged years by the pangs of unrequited love and heartbreak. His passion for honing his songwriting craft grew stronger over time. Paul found inspiration and encouragement attending songwriting workshops facilitated by some of Canada's finest songwriters such as James Keelaghan, Gary Felgard, Valdy, Shari Ulrich, Ron Hynes, Kenny Tobias and many others. More recently, Paul has been inspired by the sights and sounds of Vancouver Island and ongoing adventures with his long-term collaborator and life-partner, Leah.

From 2007 to 2014, Paul performed with a five-piece original folk group, Anjopa, based in Victoria, B.C.  With three main songwriters, Anjopa created a repertoire of nearly 50 original songs.

Now, in 2024, Paul is excited to introduce the beginnings of his solo project, which is produced by his longtime friend and award-winning recording artist, Matthew Lien.