Paperwhite Discuss Navigating Success And Introducing Their New Sound With EP “Reach”

This duo is fantastic!

Made up of talented siblings Ben and Katie Marshall, Paperwhite is a group that you need to add to your list of favorite artists. Each of their songs are catchy and fun, especially the hits from their newly released EP “Reach”.

We had the absolute pleasure of speaking with Paperwhite about the New York music scene, their favorite track from “Reach”, and more!

When did you both realize that not only did you want to pursue a career in the music industry, but that you wanted to embark on it together?

Ben: “I think it was sometime shortly after college for me (2009-2010) and Katie was still in college that we sort of officially started Paperwhite. That was the clearest indication that we would really pursue something together, but we had been working on music before that as well. The sound was a little different, but we were still fully producing the songs and trying to shop them around to get people excited about what we were creating.”

Katie: “We’ve both been playing and writing music since childhood so we knew early on that we wanted to pursue music as a career. All three of us, Ben, our brother Sam, and I went to Berklee College of Music. When Ben and I first started collaborating, he was producing my singer-songwriter songs – think Fiona Apple / Regina Spektor kind of music. It took us a few years to create the sound that has since come to define the Paperwhite project.”

What is the meaning behind your creative name Paperwhite?

Katie: “Ben and I were trying to figure out a band name for a few weeks that really felt right with our style but every time we would find something, it was already an artist name! I had written a song called “Paperwhites” that personified the paperwhite flower. I posted a clip to Instagram with the caption Paperwhites and my friend who knew we were looking for band names told me he loved our new name! We loved that it has a connection to nature and there’s something about it that feels like a clean slate. From that moment on, that was our band name!“

How would you personally describe the music scene in New York?

Ben: “Well we’ve both been out of the loop for a few years now. My wife and I moved to New Jersey during the pandemic. We are close to the city and still pop in every once in a while, but I don’t feel as connected to it as I used to. I do feel that overall NYC has always had a more underground/indie vibe to it versus the pop polish that you find in LA or the super clean polished sound coming out of Nashville. But I’m sure that’s an oversimplification.”

Katie: “Yeah, similar to Ben, my husband and I moved south of the city between NY and Philly so while we go in a lot we’re not quite as connected right now. I do think LA has really taken over the songwriter field. There’s something so special about NY’s music so we’re always wanting to keep the scene alive. It’s one of my big goals for the next few years actually, to help build up the scene again.”

Congratulations on your new EP ‘Reach’! What was the process of putting this project together like?

Ben: “Thank you! This was a few years in the making. Katie and I never stopped working on music, but it was a lot more sporadic. We had both gone through a lot of identity shifts and changes in our personal lives since the last EP in 2016, so finding time to connect and write music together became harder and harder. In the last year or so we dove back in with a lot more intention and finished a few of those songs. That then inspired a few new songs and concepts. I feel like we’re finding a new sound with this EP that’s maybe a little more refined and more representative of the kinds of art and music that we’re into right now.”

Katie: “It’s been a very cathartic experience. I feel like this EP is the bridge from our previous work to where we want to go in the future. Releasing music again is the best feeling in the world. Because we took a break for a while, we’re starting over a bit as far as our online presence goes but it’s such a rewarding challenge.”

If you had to choose, what is your favorite song from the EP and why?

Ben: “Kind of a slow burn, but I think “Looking Back” might be my favorite. That was one that we were brewing on for a long time and it really came together in the finishing stages. I was looking for an opportunity to collaborate with a composer I met last year, Philip Sheppard. He’s an amazing cellist, and composer. He really took the song to a new level with the string arrangements. I feel like it really elevated the song and sort of sets the bar a little higher for us. It gets me inspired for the next batch of songs we’ll create!”

Katie: “I agree. It really makes me feel emotional and ready to put that feeling back into our songwriting. It’s also the last song we finished and Ben and I will both admit that it’s always the latest song that is our favorite!”

You two have amassed millions of streams on your music on just Spotify alone! What has been your reaction to those rising numbers? 

Ben: “It’s awesome to see the music connect with so many people. When we first started, our only intention was to release music that we were excited about. When we started getting that traction organically, it felt amazing to know that there were so many people out there that connected with our music. That’s something we’ve been trying to channel lately. Make the music that you think is meaningful and trust that there are others out there who will resonate with it.”

Katie: “We’re very grateful that the music connects with people. These past few years have been difficult for many people, so having this connection to our listeners is very important and fulfilling. I feel deeply that these songs are for our listeners and that the more I can give, the better. Music is like magic, I want to put it out into the world.”

We think it’s time for your fanbase to get a name of its own! Any ideas?

Katie: “Haha! You know we’ve thought about this before and never came up with one! We need to put out a poll or something. I remember in the past people trying to make names from the flower metaphor but I don’t think that worked well. We’re open to any ideas!”

How would you personally say that you’ve changed as artists from your debut EP back in 2016 to now?

Ben: I’m really trying with this new batch of music to just embrace the art. After our first wave of “success,” I think we were really trying hard to turn Paperwhite into the way that we make a living. With good intention, of course, because we loved doing it so much. But as expectations grew, I think that started to cloud things a bit. Since then, Katie and I have both been working a lot as media composers for various projects. In a way, that’s been a nice relief that we can earn a living doing creative work and then we can hold a separate space for Paperwhite that is less of a commercial endeavor and a clearer expression of who we are right now.

Katie: “We’ve also learned through that process that what makes Paperwhite Paperwhite is the collaboration between Ben and me. As our streaming numbers grew, we became more open to outside input and the direction the industry thought we should take — but instead of helping, it made the process feel harder and less enjoyable. Focusing on writing songs that feel good to us is the whole point of Paperwhite. We’re trusting that our audience is out there, and that if you make music you love, the right people will connect with it.”

Make sure to stream “Reach”, available now on all music platforms!

Photo Credit: Dillon Puswald

Je’Kayla Crawford– Founder and Director– Je’Kayla has been a journalist for years and decided to start a publication of her own, New Scene Magazine, back in October 2020. When not helping her team and working on their print issues, you can find her watching a movie on Netflix or baking using a viral TikTok recipe.