Named Konrad Wert at birth, Possessed by Paul James grew up in a Mennonite family in southwest Florida, and now lives in Kerrville, TX. “It’s partly just because of the way we play, maybe it’s due to anxiousness or anxiety, I don’t know, but just close the eyeballs and get it out,” he says about his stage name and wild performances. “But also, Paul was my grandfather, James is my dad’s middle name—so it’s a reference to something bigger than me, that there is something greater than ourselves, something that we’re in together. It’s important for us to acknowledge and be honest about that—the good, the bad, and the ugly. We are more than just ourselves.”

Even without major label or radio support, Possessed by Paul James has garnered a strong following in the United States and Europe, and his song “Hurricane” became a fan favorite after it was featured prominently on NPR.