Christopher Paul Stelling never set out to pursue a career in music. It just became something he loved to do.
“It wasn’t something I chose, I just wanted to play music,” Stelling said. “It’s a gradual progression and gets to the point where it is impossible to keep a job.”
Stelling is currently on tour with his new album, “Labor Against Waste,” and will be performing at Club Garibaldi’s on 2501 S. Superior St. with Hello Death at 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 22.
This is his third album following “Songs of Praise and Scorn” and “False Cities.” His music contains a unique blend of blues, country and folk. The Florida native spent time living in Colorado, Boston, Seattle and North Carolina before residing in New York City seven years ago. While traveling he worked in bookstores and performed wherever he could from bars and informal get-togethers, to packed theatres.
“I try to put in as much conviction as I can while I am performing,” Stelling said. “I become it while I’m doing it.”
The solo performer put in more time developing this album than his previous two. He also has a new one in the works.
“The songs have a lot to do with traveling, since that is what I did while writing the album,” Stelling said. “It speaks to following through with things and keeping focus during the struggle.”
Stelling learned to play the guitar at 10 years old and said he only took enough lessons to learn the basic chords.
“There is no real formula to learning how to write songs,” Stelling said. “I was able to pick it up on my own.”
The artist recently made his television debut on “CBS This Morning” on June 13. He captivated the audience performing three new songs off of “Labor Against Waste,” including “Hard Work,” “Revenge” and “Warm Enemy.”
“I didn’t really think touring would be possible until it happened,” Stelling said. “I just hope it keeps happening.”
Opening act Hello Death is a folk group from Milwaukee and has shared the stage with Stelling multiple times. The band is composed of Marielle Allschwang on vocals, guitar and violin; Nathaniel Heuer on vocals, bass, guitar and percussion; Shawn Stephany on guitar and lap steel; and Erin Wolf on vocals, piano, accordion and percussion. Their sophomore album “Remnants” was released May 19.
“There are a new breed of artists going up in present time that are blue collar,” Stelling said. “Hello Death is doing it for the same level as I am, so to speak.”
Stelling said the hardest part of touring is planning so far down the road.
“It’s nice once you can finally turn off the brain that booked the gig,” Stelling said. “Traveling is the work, playing the music is the reward.”
Stelling has previously performed in Milwaukee at Frank’s Power Plant and Tonic Tavern. He said he is excited to return to a city he loves. The show is for guests 21 or older and is a general admission event.
“The best part of performing is that it is always something different,” Stelling said. “Every night is new and presents a new challenge. As a performer you are genuinely surprised when a show goes well, and when it doesn’t, because you just never know.”