Boys Like Girls

By: Simone Clark @simoneyjc

After three albums and seven years on stage, Paul DiGiovanni’s life still surprises him.

“Every six months or so I step back and think, ‘This is what I do for work? This is crazy!’”

DiGiovanni is the lead guitarist and backup vocalist for multi-platinum-selling pop rock band Boys Like Girls, which is performing at at the UCCU Center at 7 p.m. on Oct. 25.

The national tour with The All-American Rejects and Parachute kicked off Sept. 13.

DiGiovanni, 24, said his life has changed dramatically since the formation of the band in 2005. DiGiovanni had high hopes, but had no idea that they would end up in the spotlight.

“We weren’t like One Direction, where we suddenly got thrown in front of 20,000 people,” DiGiovanni said. “Each show we played got slightly bigger. It was a gradual growth that allowed us to evolve and develop chemistry with each other and the fans.”

DiGiovanni knew he didn’t want to go to college, but never fathomed playing chart-topping songs in sold-out venues. After DiGiovanni decided to join Boys Like Girls, his father was skeptical until he heard the band play.

“Ever since then, I’ve had my father’s blessing,” he said proudly. “He gives me a lot of support.”

Naturally, a career that entails month after month on the road affects his family life. DiGiovanni says although he only sees his family once every four to six months, the time apart has only made them closer. Music and performing are clearly his passions.

The band recently took a year off touring and recording to work on solo projects and gain inspiration.

“I was so bored, I hated it! I wanted to light myself and my house on fire,” DiGiovanni said with a burst of laughter.

He managed to avoid self-ignition and stay productive by writing for other artists and gaining inspiration from bands such as M83, The Black Keys and Stevie Ray Vaughan. The time off has successfully produced the third album, “Crazy World.” DiGiovanni said fans can look forward to a guitar-driven, dynamic and almost country sound to be released on Dec. 11 of this year.

Boys Like Girls will be performing songs from “Crazy World,” as well as old favorites such as “Hero/Heroine,” “Love Drunk” and “Heart Heart Heartbreak.”

“I never get tired of playing the same songs,” DiGiovanni said. “Performing them in front of different crowds bring each song new life.”

Tickets to the Boys Like Girls, The All-American Rejects and Parachute concert at UVU are still available at www.smithstix.com.