- "The Paper Crowns have this aura of honesty in their music that’s genuine, easy to grasp, yet also not a complete giveaway." (Waleed Rashidi - IE Weekly)
"The Paper Crowns, a folk-inspired combo whose songs cross so many genres that all you need to know is that if you like music, there’s something for you there. The group, which has delved into folk and Americana, recorded and mixed the album at home and took on all of the instruments except for the drums on a few tracks. The title track is sublime and the beautiful pairing of the voices of Nicole Pond and Spiro Nicolopoulos is the real star of the album. I first met Spiro back when Rolling Reunion was around, a jam-tastic experimental group. As much as I loved what he did with that group, I think The Paper Crowns are even stronger and it’s really the hard work he and Nicole have put into the group and the beautiful music they make together.” (Vanessa Franko - Press Enterprise)
The Paper Crowns are taking honest music from the roots of the American musical bloodline and are bringing it into the here and now. Their chemistry has been compared to June and Johnny. Their intimacy has drawn parallels to The Civil Wars. The sense of tradition and invention in their lyrics has garnered critical acclaim. Their musical intensity and soul has earned comparisons to Tedeschi Trucks Band. They are earning their reputation as the genuine article and as a band on the cutting edge of modern roots music. Their musical chemistry is a gumbo of Appalachian folk and bluegrass, Dixieland melodies, delta blues, acid rock, murder ballads, outlaw country and Southern Gospel that they cook up into a sound all their own.
The Paper Crowns sound big like a four piece band yet always honors their intimacy and emotional rawness as a duo. Between them they have played at events such as Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival, Summer Meltdown, Baja Bash, The House of Blues, Soulshine and more. Their music has found placement in major network TV campaigns including the Olympic Games and for Visa.
"The Paper Crowns are ambitious. They are a husband and wife who make music together. At first glance you may think you could pigeon hole them into expectations. They might surprise you. They improvise heavily on acoustic and electric guitar, banjo, and drums…often while singing harmonies. Their sound lives somewhere between Shovels and Rope and an acoustic Jerry Garcia jam. Their songs are some of the best in the nation. Take the time and check them out for yourself.” (Juan Bengoa - Concert Promoter/Booking Agent)