Beautifully crafted poetic progressive pop rock from California’s Monterey Bay.

‘the blisses’ weave acoustic and electric instruments with layered vocals to paint a sonic story that is thoughtful and transporting. Under the influence of American and British folk music, their songs reflect the beauty and the good vibes around them. Paula’s songwriting, vocals and guitar form the foundation, while Bob’s lead guitar work, bass playing, drum composition, keyboards, and backing vocals add the flourish to an album with a warm atmosphere of simple beauty and high craftsmanship. 


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PAULA BLISS

(Songwriting, Vocals, and Guitars)

Photo: Paul Schraub

“Master teacher Paula Bliss, through her talents in music, dance, and poetry, brings joy to learning for the thousands she has taught and continues to teach in Santa Cruz County.” Mayor’s Proclamation for the City of Santa Cruz, California

Paula Bliss is a seasoned singer-songwriter, dancer, choreographer, writer and teacher. She has performed in clubs and concerts as a solo artist and with many groups, recorded commercials, done extensive voice over work, and contributes vocals for many artists. Paula has performed with members of Bobby McFerrin’s a cappella group Voicestra, has sung arias for Cirque du Soleil trapeze artists, performed with Gabby Pahinui and Sonny Chillingworth in Hawaii. She continues to perform with Tandy Beal & Co. as a member of the internationally acclaimed dance company. Paula is married to fellow musician Bob Bliss who is also Principal Software Engineer at E-MU Systems. They have been performing, writing, recording, and raising sons together for 25 years.

Paula teaches Children’s Dance at San Jose State University, writes music for children’s dance performances and for community theatre. Paula has had residencies in many elementary schools in the Bay Area, using both music and dance to support the curriculum. She is also a private voice teacher, has a Family Choir, and is Co-Director of Dance Camp of the Redwoods.


BOB BLISS

(Guitars, Keyboards, Bass, and Vocals)

Photo: Steve DiBartolomeo

Bob Bliss has done nothing but music, electronics, and computers since he was a teenager. Besides being the resident multi-instrumentalist, his background and training make him the band’s technical expert, serving roles as diverse as audio engineer, mixer, and IT guru.

Bob paid his musical dues playing electric guitar, keyboards, synthesizers, and singing on the club circuits in the midwest. He is also a veteran of the Santa Cruz club scene, having played all the local hangs with Paula in their band ‘The Fans’ in the ’80s, and spent six years playing with dance hall legend Joe Sharino in the ’90s. In the ’00s, Bob was a founding member of, and for five years played with, the Santa Cruz White Album Ensemble, contributing guitar, keyboards, sound effects, and vocals to this remarkable Beatles tribute.

Simultaneously, he has also contributed to the music community in another way – as instrument designer. Bob continues his role as Principal Software Engineer at E-MU Systems, having been with this amazing company for over 25 years, and also contributes his services to E-MU’s parent company, Creative Labs. Yes, he actually wrote the operating system and synthesizer code for the E-MU E4K keyboard sampler he uses with ‘the blisses’, and played with the White Album Ensemble, delivering keyboard sounds and sound effects that bring many songs to life!

Happy to be devoting all his musical energies now to ‘the blisses’, Bob is thrilled to be working and playing with Paula, both in the studio and on stage, living to bring newly crafted, original music to the world! 

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