Soundtrack all-star

Ellis Paul

Tomorrow, 9 p.m.

Club Cafe, $12

(412) 488-3388

… Ellis Paul

Tomorrow, 9 p.m.

Club Cafe, $12

(412) 488-3388

The name Ellis Paul may not ring a bell, but if you have seen the movies “Me, Myself ‘ Irene” or “Shallow Hal,” then his music will.

Paul comes from a family of potato farmers in Northern Maine, and went to college on a track scholarship. He began playing his music at open mic nights, and has since graced the stage of the famous Carnegie Music Hall in New York, as well as many clubs, coffeehouses and folk festivals nationwide. His music is heavy with acoustic sounds, and his lyrics contain beautiful poetic stories. Some of Paul’s influences for both his lyrics and music include Bob Dylan, Shawn Colvin, Bill Morissey and John Gorka.

Although he already has seven albums under his belt, including a live album, he is just starting to hit the mainstream music scene by way of two movie soundtracks. The title track from his latest album, Sweet Mistakes, is featured on the “Shallow Hal” soundtrack.

At the end of “Me, Myself, ‘ Irene,” Renee Zellweger is driving away from Jim Carrey, while Paul’s song, “The World Ain’t Slowin’ Down” plays.

Both of these soundtracks include songs by mainstream artists like Sheryl Crow, PJ Harvey, Foo Fighters, Smash Mouth, the Offspring and Hootie and the Blowfish.

In addition to making music, Paul also utilizes his talents by writing countless poems, and has recently completed his first book, “Notes From the Road,” which has some of his drawings, poems and of course, notes from the road written in a diary-like style.

If the company he is keeping on these soundtracks is a glimpse into the future, Paul will be a name that you hear on more than just soundtracks from hit movies.

He has so far received 11 Boston Music Awards, and rumor has it that winners of these awards go on to become top musicians in the country. Folk music fans should catch him while you still can, because it’s a guarantee that Ellis Paul ain’t slowin’ down.

Learn more about him from www.ellispaul.com.