Possessed by Paul James

The childhood of Possessed by Paul James, aka Konrad Wert, was not unlike the backstories of countless roots and country legends—deep in the south and deep in the past. Wert grew up singing in church before he picked up the violin at age 10. Guitar, banjo and an uncanny grip on bare-bones roots music followed.

Wert was raised as a Mennonite in Immokalee, Fla., which spurs frequent questions about the religion’s effect on his music. But an Amish upbringing had hardly as much of an impact on Wert’s sound as his own family tree. His stage moniker stems from his grandfather’s name (Paul) and his father’s middle name (James). Listening to his music (try “Men Men Men”), it’s clear that Wert knows where he came from; the man is steeped in his own roots so much one could say he’s possessed.

In 2006, PPJ made his first mark with a self-titled debut (Milan-based SYA Records), followed two years later by Cold and Blind (Voodoo Rhythm Records). This fall comes Feed The Family, a third testament to Wert’s gut-wrenchingly bare minimalism. And keeping with the DIY ethic, this one is pressed and will be released independently.

Immersed in the song, Wert often delivers his craft with contorted expressions, strumming out bewitching, drifter-in-a-boxcar tunes that lace the tendrils of blues, punk and folk like worn shoestrings.

Catch Possessed by Paul James July 6 at Bluesboro with honky-tonk steel peddlers Slim Chance & The Can’t Hardly Playboys.

Possessed by Paul James is also playing Muddy Roots Festival Sept. 3-4. Click here for more on the festival