Behind The Strings: Papercut Memory

An interview/article with your next favorite emo band!

It’s a cloudy February night, and the wind keeps blowing my hair into my mouth as my heart pounds in my chest. I’m preparing to interview Papercut Memory, and I’m incredibly nervous. Calling them seasoned professionals would be an understatement. They’ve been playing together since high school, toured across multiple states, released a full-length album (even pressed on vinyl), and seem to know everything there is to know about music. When I landed the interview, a wave of gratitude washed over me. Interviewing a band as established as Papercut Memory was an honor—not only because of their experience, but because their music truly rocks. In the weeks leading up to the interview, I listened to their album Say Words Mean Nothin Anyway on repeat, and it’s still stuck in my head. As I walked up to their door, I was jittery, and nothing could ease my nerves. Little did I know, this was about to be the most fun I’d ever have conducting an interview.

WHo is Papercut Memory?

Papercut Memory is a four-piece emo band with Mark Davis on vocals and bass, Nate Baldwin on guitar (and sometimes vocals), Garret Cimino on guitar, and Jameson Jackson on drums. With a line-up like that, you’re bound to form an epic band, and form an epic band they did. When I asked them to describe their sound, they jokingly described it as “aggressively mediocre bullshit emo” and “if Matchbox Twenty were an emo band from 2005”, showing their ability to just relax and have fun. however, after listening to their entire discography, I’d argue their sound is anything but mediocre. Their music is raw and dissonant which are qualities that define great emo bands. And make no mistake, Papercut Memory is one of them.

Papercut Memory has been around for years, evolving under different names and aliases. It all began in high school when Mark, then seventeen, met Garret, who was fourteen. Though they weren’t in a band at the time, they both played music and spent a lot of time together. Years later, when Garret was nineteen, he formed a band with Nate. Over the next few years, the three of them played in various bands and eventually brought Jameson into the mix. The Papercut Memory you know today officially came together in 2022 when the four musicians reconnected and started playing again. Their long history of making music together is an essential part of their sound—something you can hear in their songwriting and great use of dynamics. It’s a chemistry that can only come from years of playing together on stage. When I asked them if their history influences their creative process, they said it allows them to have more fun! Throughout the interview, it was obvious that they genuinely enjoy making music together because they’re not just saying it; they clearly live it.

When I asked them what the most unique thing about them was, they answered that their equipment makes them unique. Just like us here at Analog Utah, they too love analog equipment and doing things the old school way. When they perform, they use tube amps, half stacks, and bass stacks, a setup that’s surprisingly rare in the Utah music scene. Not many musicians opt for them, but Papercut Memory not only embraces them, they integrate them seamlessly into their sound, showing how much they know and love what they do. I asked them to describe their song-writing process and they talked about how it’s mainly a collaborative process. Someone will have an idea and the whole band will sit with it and all make individual tweaks to it until they think it’s done. To me this is also something unique about them because there is not just one or two song-writers in the band. It also highlights how well they work together, which is a talent in itself.

If you were to ask me who Papercut Memory are, I wouldn’t know where to begin. After sitting and talking to them, I felt like I left with more knowledge than what I came in with. They had awesome stories about each other and what it’s like to play in a band, they had crazy stories about people swinging from the ceiling at shows, they had great insight on the music scene, and they seem to know everything about music. Papercut Memory is not only a band that knows how to let loose and have fun, they’re a band that knows what music is all about.

Papercut Memory on The Scene

As someone who really loves the Utah music scene, I was really excited to interview Papercut Memory, because they all have seen the music scene grow and evolve over the years. They also do a lot in the music scene such as putting on The Power Chord Guitar Festival, run FanBase.fm, and their guitarist, Nate, owns and runs Baldwin Guitars. I knew that they could give me awesome insight into the scene and that’s just what they did. When I asked them what their favorite part of the Utah music scene was, they didn’t hesitate to say “the people”. Their previously mentioned side projects allow them to work with a lot of different people in the scene, and they love it. It was honestly impressive and touching how quick they were to shoutout bands they like to work with such as Ideal Horizon, Dog Years, and Dropout Convention. Another thing they love about the scene is that it’s still alive and growing—something I’d credit to bands like Papercut Memory. To me, Papercut Memory is a band that’s unafraid of who they are and are very passionate about their sound and the people around them. That’s why they actively support other bands like them and why heavier sounds can still thrive in an indie-centered scene.

While talking to them, I could tell that the passion they held for the scene was immense and real. So I asked them more about the scene, like what their favorite thing to see in a crowd is, and they said that they love seeing a crowd that is having a good time and that they especially love winning over a crowd that doesn’t know them. I also asked them what some of their favorite shows they’ve ever played were and they had a lot to choose from! They told me stories about opening for Ocean Avenue and for Silento and how fun those were, they also told me stories about opening for/playing with some of their favorite local bands, and they told me stories about shows where they just loved the crowd. Hearing those stories wad the highlight of the interview and that’s why you should listen to it when you’re done reading the article! Finally, I asked how their side projects had shaped their view on the music scene. They said it showed them just how willing people are to help build and support it—a reflection of the same spirit Papercut Memory brings when they collaborate within the scene.

Their Favorites

Every interview, Analog Utah makes sure to ask the interviewees two very important questions; 1. What’s one album you think everyone should listen to during their lifetime? and 2. What’s your favorite type of analog media/medium? Here are Papercut Memory’s Favorites:

What’s one (or three) albums you think everyone should listen to during their lifetime?
- Jameson said “Blue Skies, Broken Hearts…Next 12 Exits” by The Ataris.
- Nate said “Beneath Medicine Tree” by Copeland and “Burnout” by Good Terms.
- Garret said “Jack’s Broken Heart” by Jack’s Broken Heart and “Diary” by Sunny Day Real Estate.
- Papercut Memory collectively chose Mark’s as “Extravagaria” by The Crash Engines.
What’s your favorite type of analog media/medium?
- Nate’s favorite is vinyl
- Jameson’s favorite is acoustic sets
- Garret’s is film photography

In conclusion, Papercut Memory isn’t just a great band—they’re a great emo band, and if you haven’t checked them out yet, you absolutely should. This was the most rewarding interview I’ve ever conducted, thanks to their kindness, wit, and passion for music. At the end of our conversation, they even gifted Analog Utah one of their vinyls! Papercut Memory is a multifaceted band that knows how to have fun, understands music inside and out, and delivers killer songs. They’ve got some big things in the works, so stay tuned!

As always, thank you so much for reading!

Where to Find them

You can listen to their music on any music app under “Papercut Memory”(Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, etc.). They also have a full-length album out that sounds amazing—so be sure to give it a listen! Follow them on Instagram @papercut_memory for show announcements! And don’t forget to snag a ticket for this year’s Power Chord Guitar Festival, the lineup is something you don’t want to miss out on!

You can also listen to the full interview here: