Press Kit | Paul Weber Band

"Paul brings history alive through his songs and stories"

— Ian Tamblyn, Musician and Grassroots Festival Director

Bios

SHORT BIOS (Cliquez ici pour la version française)
Band
The Paul Weber Band is an Ottawa-based, five-person, bilingual band that performs high-energy folk tunes in English and French. Their shows are a voyage into community stories-- tales about drag queens, homelessness, working class tragedies, ghost trains and the struggles of the Francophone community. The song writing combines the emotional rawness of Bruce Springsteen with the locally-themed songs of Stompin’ Tom. The band just released their second album titled, "Ghost Beer Train".

Paul Weber
Paul Weber is a bilingual singer-songwriter, guitarist, storyteller and videographer who has performed across Canada in various incarnations. His high-energy live shows combine folk tunes with storytelling and video, all presented in a laid-back, humorous way. Paul has won several awards for his music, including in 2023, the Historical Society of Ottawa's Francois Bregha Storyteller award. In 2020 he was awarded a Bernard-Grandmaître award for his musical contribution to Francophone culture.

FULL BIOS
Band
Camille Forget (vocals) is an indie/folk singer-songwriter based in Ottawa. Her music tells rich mesmerizing stories and is often described as soulful and electric. Christine Fagan (vocals) is a jazz vocalist who has enjoyed performing as a soloist over 20 years. Christine was also a member of the four-women vocal group Cantarra. Rob Lethbridge (bass) is a self-taught upright bassist who plays in multiple bands and in many genres, including: Rock; Country; Rockabilly; Bluegrass; Jazz; Celtic; Folk. He wears cool boots and shirts.

Paul Weber
Paul’s music reflects his eastern-Ontario folk roots and his strong connections to his community. His songs are full of stories about the people and places he grew up with and the history of those places. His most recent album, Ghost Beer Train was inspired by a train buried deep beneath Ottawa's Lebreton Flats. It’s full of stuff that doesn't always make it into the history books—a heartfelt album about community, struggle, and lost stories.

Over his career Paul has performed at venues such as the Montreal Jazz Festival, the Winnipeg Folk Festival, and the Dawson City Folk Festival. He has released five different recordings, three with the Afro-pop band Cheza (cheza.paulweber.ca), one with the Main Street Market Band (mainstreetmarketband.paulweber.ca) and two Paul Weber Band recordings.

Paul has been the receipt of two FACTOR grants, an arts grant from the City of Ottawa, and funding from the Canada Broadcasting Corporation. Paul's music has twice been selected for their “Music on Hold” program. In 2022 Paul was the recipient of an Awesome Ottawa grant, which allowed him to video tape his CD launch so that his songs and stories of Ottawa could be shared with a wider audience.

Reviews

With Ghost Beer Train, Paul Weber and his band have come out with another great collection of tunes that tell stories with local themes but universal appeal. This album is brimming with energy and enthusiasm for their community. Through storytelling and music, Paul Weber continues to preserve Ottawa’s history - both Anglo and Franco - reflecting the Capital’s bilingual roots. Highly recommended!
- Anne-Marie Brügger, Co-Host/Producer, Canadian Spaces, CKCU FM, Ottawa

It's really really good, congratulations! I love the theme, and your songs and performance of them is great - lovely arrangements, and the band is wonderful.
- 🙂 Pat Moore, The Back 40,CKCU FM, and musician

We had Paul Weber and his amazing band play a home concert for our end-of-season paddling team party. Our bilingual guests--who come from both Ottawa and Gatineau--were thrilled with the music and the local stories...especially when the group sang their "Ode to Gerry Barber" about a bouncer from the Chaudière in Aylmer!
- Tanis Browning-Shelp

Paul Weber's show was excellent and entertaining. Paul had the audience enthralled--he brings history alive through his songs and stories.
- Ian Tamblyn, Artistic Director of the Ottawa Grassroots Fesival

Paul’s songs have impressed me with their deep connection to our community, strong lyric content and emotional impact.
- Chris White, the host of CKCU's Canadian Spaces says,

"Paul is a wonderful story teller/songwriter who focuses on local lore, legends and stories.I highly recommend checking him out. A genuine troubadour and an absolute treasure."
- John Carroll, musician

Press/Interviews
Paul Weber's new album reveals some of Ottawa's long lost history - Apartment613, Cristina Paolozzi, October 2025

Canadian Spaces Saturday October 11th, 2025
Anne-Marie chats with Paul, Christine and Camille about the new album and they sing some tunes from it (interview starts at 50:00)

Paul Weber and his Harmonious Band Share Colourful Local Stories - Ottawa Mainstreeter, Tanis Browning-Shelp, April 2025

Interview on Canadian Spaces, as part of the Ottawa Grassroots Festival (YouTube) - Chris White chats with Paul and his band. April 2023

Interview on CKCU The Guest List - Joe Reilley and Paul talk about the songs, where they came from and why they are in the order they are!

Interview on CKCU Wednesday Special Blend - A chat with Tic about finishing a CD during COVID, the songs, the people, the communities.

Interview on CKCU Canadian Spaces - A chat with the human dynamo Chris White about Ode to Gerry Barber and its inspirations.

Singer-storyteller’s new album paints a picture of Ottawa, then and now - Ottawa Life Magazine, Natasha Bulowski, September 2020
“As we find ourselves in the grips of a pandemic, perhaps there’s no better time to hear raw, local stories to rekindle a sense of community and shared experiences.”

Musician marks Great Fire Anniversary - West Carleton Online, Jake Davies, September 2020
“I find to bring these stories to life, you have to connect on an emotional level,” Weber said. “There are still some old houses with beams in them that have burn marks.

Perspectives Vanier - March 2020
”Paul Weber et sa chanson « Dans un mille carré » inspirée de plusieurs conversations avec Paul Crête et Jean Ouellet a remporté le Laurier allié de la francophonie de l’année.

Music

An upbeat folk tune about early aviators and holding on to your dreams!

A cover tune from the Franco-Ontarian band CANO, sung by Christine Fagan, as she strolls the streets of a winter Ottawa.

For additional music visit
Paul Weber Band's Bandcamp Page

Live Video

For additional performance video visit
Paul Weber Band's YouTube Channel

Introduction to our music

Band performances

SOLO Performances

Official Videos

Poster

CLICK to download 11 x 17 poster
Paul Weber Band

Other posters available on request.

Stage Plots

Click here to DOWNLOAD

Press Photos

Click on photo to download

Photo credit: North Easton

Photo credit: North Easton

Photo credit: North Easton

Media from Recent Performances
New Poster

FINAL POSTER

collusion poster

Red Bird

Connect

Paul Weber is available as a solo performer, duo, trio, or full band, depending on the type of event. You can reach Paul at info@paulweber.ca, or via:

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