Aaron Pauley

Aaron Pauley is an American musician, singer, songwriter, and record producer, best known as the bassist and clean lead vocalist for the metalcore band Of Mice & Men, a role he has held since joining the group in 2012 to replace departing member Shayley Bourget.^[1] He previously served as the frontman for the post-hardcore band Jamie's Elsewhere, with which he continues to collaborate as a creative outlet alongside longtime friends.^[2] Pauley has also contributed to guest appearances, including vocals on Bad Wolves' 2022 track "Sacred Kiss,"^[3] and maintains an active role in music production.^[2] Since joining Of Mice & Men, Pauley has been instrumental in the band's evolution, contributing to songwriting and self-production on multiple albums, including their ninth studio album Another Miracle, released on November 14, 2025, via Century Media Records.^[4] The band, formed in 2009 in Costa Mesa, California, has maintained a prolific output under his involvement, releasing records nearly every two years since 2019 and blending heavy, experimental elements with melodic structures.^[5] Early in his tenure with Of Mice & Men, Pauley worked with notable producers such as David Bendeth, Howard Benson, and Josh Wilbur, before the group transitioned to self-production during the COVID-19 pandemic for greater creative control.^[4] Pauley's musical style emphasizes themes of human experience and emotional depth, often drawing from personal challenges, and he has expressed a passion for the collaborative process of music-making, describing the band as "addicted" to it.^[1] In addition to his band work, he offers mixing and mastering services independently, supporting emerging artists in the rock and metal scenes.^[5] Of Mice & Men continues to tour extensively, with European and UK dates scheduled for late 2025 to promote Another Miracle.^[5]

Early life

Family and upbringing

Aaron Pauley was born on August 4, 1988, in Vacaville, California.^[6][7] He was raised in Vacaville by his parents, Randy and Kellie Pauley, and younger brother Samuel, in a supportive middle-class household that emphasized family closeness and encouragement of personal interests.^[6] From infancy, his parents created a nurturing environment by incorporating music into daily routines, such as during naptime and bedtime, which reflected their own appreciation for the art form and helped foster a stable childhood.^[6] Randy Pauley later described Aaron as remaining "the same sweet guy" from his high school days despite his later success, highlighting the grounded, humble roots instilled by the family in their small-town setting.^[6] Pauley's early years unfolded in Vacaville, a modest community in Northern California situated midway between Sacramento and San Francisco, providing a tight-knit atmosphere that shaped his formative experiences.^[8] During middle school, he briefly relocated to nearby Clearlake before returning to his hometown of Vacaville, an adjustment that underscored the familial ties to the region.^[9]

Musical beginnings and education

Pauley began playing guitar at the age of eight, initially drawn to the instrument through his early exposure to classic rock and funk.^[10] By age eleven, he switched to bass, finding a stronger affinity for its rhythmic role in music.^[10] His family encouraged these pursuits, with his mother annually inquiring about his aspirations, to which he consistently responded that he wanted to become a rock star.^[6] At around age thirteen, Pauley formed his first informal band, Menace to Society, with friends in Vacaville, marking his initial foray into group performance without professional ambitions.^[11] During high school, he immersed himself in the local music scene around Vacaville and nearby Sacramento, participating in performances and band activities in the Sacramento and Bay Area regions.^[11] He graduated from Vacaville High School in 2006, having honed his skills through these early experiences.^[11] Pauley's musical style was profoundly shaped by ten key records encountered during his formative years, as he reflected in a 2024 interview. These included Papa Roach's Infest (2000), which inspired him by demonstrating how a local band could achieve global impact from a small town like Vacaville; Tool's Ænima (1996), igniting his interest in music theory and intricate compositions; and The Mars Volta's De-Loused in the Comatorium (2003), influencing his appreciation for experimental production techniques.^[9] Linkin Park's Hybrid Theory (2000) showed him that heavy music could appeal broadly, bridging subgenres; Slipknot's Iowa (2001) fostered shared experiences with peers amid familial reactions to its intensity; and Converge's Jane Doe (2001) impacted his approach to chaotic yet emotionally resonant and accessible songwriting.^[9] Other influential albums were Sigur Rós's Takk... (2005), teaching narrative depth through instrumental emotion; Pressure 4-5's Burning the Process (2001), offering solace during personal transitions; Norma Jean's Bless the Martyr and Kiss the Child (2002), evoking memories of energetic hardcore shows; and Mansions' Dig Up the Dead (2011), highlighting intimate acoustic connections with friends.^[9] These works collectively guided his evolution from casual playing to a versatile bassist and vocalist blending post-hardcore intensity with broader rock elements.^[9]

Professional career

Early bands

Pauley joined his first serious band at the age of 14, initially named From Wings Within, which later changed its name to Razing Alexandria.^[6] The group formed in early 2004 and included brothers Charles Vincent on drums and Matthew Vincent on bass, along with guitarist Jake Martinson and Pauley serving as guitarist and vocalist.^[12] The band's sound was experimental and free-flowing, incorporating jazzy elements, reflecting the youthful creativity of its members who were unaware of conventional song structures.^[6] Razing Alexandria produced two professional recordings during its initial run, though these remained in demo form without a full album release.^[12] The band maintained a short lifespan, disbanding in mid-2006 as members pursued other projects amid limited traction in the local scene.^[12] A brief reformation occurred in late 2007 with much of the original lineup, but it dissolved again by early 2008 due to logistical challenges, including relocations.^[13] Following his high school graduation in 2006, Pauley entered a transitional period marked by informal local performances and production work, such as engineering an album for the Vacaville group The Honeybee Trio.^[6] These experiences, building on his foundational guitar and bass skills developed earlier, sharpened his vocal delivery and stage presence through consistent practice in small venues and studio settings.^[6]

Jamie's Elsewhere

Pauley joined Jamie's Elsewhere in 2008 as the lead vocalist and additional guitarist, stepping in after the departure of previous singer Chris Paterson. The Sacramento-based post-hardcore band, known for its blend of aggressive riffs and melodic choruses, featured founding guitarist Matt Scarpelli alongside other members during this period.^[14] Building on his early vocal experience from the short-lived band Razing Alexandria, Pauley contributed to the group's evolving sound, which emphasized dynamic shifts between heavy breakdowns and soaring hooks.^[6] From 2008 to 2012, Pauley's tenure saw the release of the full-length album They Said a Storm Was Coming in 2010 and the acoustic EP Reimagined in 2012, both under Victory Records.^[14] The band undertook extensive touring across North America, supporting acts in the post-hardcore scene while navigating lineup adjustments, including additions on guitar and keys to enhance their layered arrangements. Pauley's role allowed him to refine his vocal delivery, particularly his clean singing, which became a hallmark of the band's more accessible, anthemic tracks amid the genre's typical screamed verses.^[6] In July 2012, Pauley departed Jamie's Elsewhere to join Of Mice & Men as bassist and clean vocalist.^[15] The band entered a hiatus following his exit, with sporadic activity but no new releases. In early 2020, Pauley announced his return, reuniting with Scarpelli and signaling a revival of the project.^[6] This reunion culminated in the July 2023 release of the Paradise EP via SharpTone Records, marking their first output in over a decade. The band followed with the Alchemical EP on June 20, 2025, via SharpTone Records.^[16][17][18] The current lineup includes Pauley on vocals and guitar, Scarpelli on lead guitar, Chance Medeiros on bass, and Mike Spearman on drums and keyboards, maintaining the band's core post-hardcore intensity while incorporating matured production elements.^[16][17]

Of Mice & Men

Aaron Pauley joined Of Mice & Men in 2012 as the band's bassist and clean vocalist, initially serving as a touring and recording member after the departure of Shayley Bourget.^[15][9] In this role, Pauley contributed backing vocals and melodic elements to complement the band's metalcore sound, marking a significant expansion from his prior work in post-hardcore.^[19] Following the departure of founding frontman Austin Carlile in late 2016 due to health complications related to Marfan syndrome, Pauley transitioned to lead vocalist while retaining his bass duties, guiding the band as a four-piece alongside guitarist Alan Ashby, guitarist Phil Manansala, and drummer Valentino Arteaga.^[20][21][22] Under Pauley's leadership, Of Mice & Men released several key albums that showcased the band's growth. Their 2014 album Restoring Force highlighted Pauley's integration with tracks blending heavy riffs and soaring cleans, achieving commercial success on the Billboard charts.^[23] Subsequent releases included Cold World (2016), which Pauley co-vocalized before fully taking the helm; Defy (2018), emphasizing resilience themes; Earthandsky (2019), exploring atmospheric textures; Echo (2021), delving into introspective lyrics; and Tether (2023), incorporating electronic and progressive elements.^[24][25] The band's ninth studio album, Another Miracle, set for release on November 14, 2025, via Century Media Records, was entirely written, produced, and mixed by the members themselves, reflecting their hands-on creative control.^[26][27] The band's sound evolved from its early metalcore roots—characterized by breakdowns and screamed verses—to a more diverse alternative metal palette, incorporating shoegaze-inspired melodies, nu-metal grooves, and melodic post-hardcore influences in later works.^[28][29] Pauley's vocal range expanded to include both clean singing and screamed delivery, enhancing the band's dynamic shifts, while his bass lines provided foundational drive and melodic contour to the compositions.^[22][10] He also played a central role in songwriting, co-authoring lyrics and structures that addressed personal struggles, relationships, and perseverance, often drawing from collaborative band sessions.^[30] Of Mice & Men maintained a rigorous touring schedule, participating in major festivals like the Vans Warped Tour across multiple years, including full performances at the 2025 revival dates in Long Beach, Orlando, and Washington, D.C. (though the latter was ultimately canceled due to scheduling conflicts).^[31] The band progressed to headlining their own tours, such as the 2025 "Another Miracle" trek, solidifying their status in the metalcore scene through high-energy live shows that blended heaviness with emotional depth.^[26] In a 2025 interview, Pauley described the group's ethos as an "addiction to making music," underscoring their commitment to frequent releases and creative exploration despite challenges.^[5] Building momentum toward Another Miracle, the band announced the album in July 2025 alongside the single "Wake Up," a track featuring dreamy shoegaze elements and introspective themes of awakening.^[27] Additional singles followed, including the title track "Another Miracle" in May 2025, which captured the album's hopeful narrative, and "Troubled Water" in September, delivering raw aggression with sci-fi undertones and heavy instrumentation.^[32][33] These releases highlighted Pauley's matured vocal performance and the band's refined production, positioning Another Miracle as a pinnacle of their evolving artistry.^[26]

Production and other projects

Pauley emerged as a key figure in music production and mixing within the rock and metalcore scenes, particularly through his work with Of Mice & Men. Beginning with the band's 2019 album Earthandsky, he took on mixing responsibilities for their releases, contributing to the sonic development of subsequent projects including Timeless (2021 EP) and Echo (2021).^[34] His production role expanded significantly with the band's 2025 album Another Miracle, which he self-produced, mixed, and mastered entirely in-house, allowing for greater creative autonomy during the recording process.^[35] Pauley's production and songwriting contributions have earned recognition, including RIAA Gold certifications for tracks such as "Would You Still Be There" from Restoring Force (2014) and earlier works like the album Restoring Force (2014), where he provided vocals and bass.^[34][36] These achievements underscore his impact on the band's commercial success, with albums amassing hundreds of millions of streams.^[34] Beyond Of Mice & Men, Pauley has contributed to various other projects as a featured artist and collaborator. Notable examples include guest vocals on The Light Iris' Cities Built on Ruins of Regret (2011), Elyne's Art of Being Human (2020), and The Seafloor Cinema's self-titled album (2023), as well as co-writing the track "Void" on Volumes' Happier? (2021).^[37] These involvements highlight his versatility in supporting emerging acts within post-hardcore and metalcore genres.^[34] Pauley offers professional services in songwriting, topline creation, vocal coaching, editing, mixing, and mastering through platforms like SoundBetter, drawing on his expertise as a RIAA-certified producer.^[34] In a 2025 interview, he discussed the band's shift toward full creative control, emphasizing how self-production fosters innovation while maintaining their signature intensity.^[38] Balancing these production duties with Of Mice & Men's demanding tour schedule remains a core aspect of his workflow, blending the adrenaline of live performances with the precision of studio refinement.^[4]

Discography

With Jamie's Elsewhere

Aaron Pauley joined Jamie's Elsewhere in 2008 as lead vocalist and additional guitarist, contributing to the band's shift toward a more melodic post-hardcore sound. His tenure with the group spanned their second full-length album and subsequent releases until 2012, before a reunion in 2020 that led to new material. Pauley's dynamic vocal style, blending clean singing with screams, became a hallmark of the band's output during this period.^[39]

They Said a Storm Was Coming (2010)

Pauley's first major release with Jamie's Elsewhere was the full-length album They Said a Storm Was Coming, recorded after his recruitment to replace the previous vocalist. Released on February 16, 2010, via Victory Records, the album marked the band's sophomore effort and showcased Pauley's role as lead vocalist and additional guitarist, helping to refine their electronicore-infused post-hardcore style. Produced by Kyle Black at The Audio Studio in Sacramento, California, it received acclaim from post-hardcore fans for its anthemic choruses and thematic exploration of personal turmoil and resilience.^[40][41][42] The album consists of 11 tracks, blending heavy riffs with electronic elements and Pauley's versatile vocals:

• "Seasons" (3:33)
• "The Mapmaker" (3:33)
• "They Said a Storm Was Coming" (3:13)
• "Giants Among Common Men" (2:35)
• "One Foot in the Grave" (3:54)
• "The Prodigal" (3:07)
• "Visions in Sleep" (3:24)
• "Sent to Destroy" (3:16)
• "I Need a Doctor" (3:52)
• "Life: The Horror Movie" (3:49)
• "Stray" (3:02)

Tracks like "Giants Among Common Men" and "The Mapmaker" highlight Pauley's soaring clean vocals over intricate guitar work, contributing to the album's enduring popularity in the genre, with a 3.4/5 average rating on Rate Your Music based on over 300 user reviews.^[41][43]

Reimagined (2012)

Following the success of their 2010 album, Jamie's Elsewhere released the Reimagined EP on July 6, 2012, also through Victory Records. Pauley served as lead vocalist on this six-track collection, which features stripped-down re-recordings of select songs from They Said a Storm Was Coming alongside two original compositions. The EP adopts a less aggressive, more atmospheric approach—often described as semi-acoustic or "reimagined" with reduced metalcore intensity—emphasizing piano, strings, and Pauley's emotive delivery to create intimate renditions. It was self-produced by the band and served as a transitional release amid lineup changes.^[44][45][14] The track list includes four re-recorded tracks and two new songs:

• "I'll Make My Peace and Sink" (re-recording of "The Mapmaker") (3:53)
• "Let's Pretend That We're Giants" (re-recording of "Giants Among Common Men") (2:43)
• "One Foot in the Present Day" (re-recording of "One Foot in the Grave") (3:17)
• "Prodigal Son" (re-recording of "The Prodigal") (2:58)
• "Heavy Eyelids, Heavy Hearts" (original) (3:45)
• "Out of Love" (original) (3:28)

New tracks like "Heavy Eyelids, Heavy Hearts" demonstrate Pauley's ability to convey vulnerability through softer dynamics, earning praise for adding emotional depth to the band's catalog.^[14][46]

Paradise (2023)

After a nine-year hiatus, Jamie's Elsewhere reunited in 2020 with Pauley returning as lead vocalist and guitarist, culminating in the Paradise EP released on July 19, 2023, via SharpTone Records. This five-track effort represents the band's comeback, produced by Mike Green at Finch's The Barn studio in Los Angeles, and explores themes of escapism and digital disillusionment through a modern post-hardcore lens with synth-heavy production. Pauley's vocals drive the narrative arc, shifting from hopeful cleans to intense screams, marking his first new material with the band since 2012.^[47][16][48] The EP's track list is:

• "Escapist" (3:43)
• "Paradise" (2:51)
• "Avatar" (3:30)
• "Poisoning Eden" (4:15)
• "Separate Me" (3:05)

Reception was positive among post-hardcore enthusiasts, with reviewers noting its energetic riffs and conceptual cohesion; Distorted Sound Magazine highlighted its "bouncy fun" synth leads, while Rock 'N' Load awarded it 9/10 for revitalizing the band's sound. Though it did not chart prominently, the EP garnered fan acclaim for Pauley's seamless reintegration and the band's refreshed energy.^[49][50]

With Of Mice & Men

Aaron Pauley's tenure with Of Mice & Men began in 2012 as the band's bassist and provider of clean vocals, evolving into full lead vocal duties by 2017 and extending to production and engineering roles in later releases. His contributions have been central to the band's metalcore sound, blending melodic elements with heavier riffs across multiple albums and EPs since 2014.^[51][37] Pauley's debut studio album with the band, Restoring Force (2014), marked his introduction on bass and clean vocals alongside Austin Carlile's unclean vocals. Released on January 28, 2014, via Rise Records, the album debuted at number 4 on the Billboard 200, selling 51,000 copies in its first week. Pauley's clean singing featured prominently on tracks emphasizing melody, such as "Bones Exposed" and "Would You Still Be There," which together amassed over 130 million streams on Spotify. The standard tracklist includes: "Public Service Announcement," "Feels Like Forever," "Bones Exposed," "Would You Still Be There," "Glass Hearts," "Something to Hide," "Another You," "Break Free," "The Depths," and "The Storm"; the deluxe edition added acoustic versions of "Bones Exposed" and "Second & Sebring."^[52][53][25] Following the band's internal changes, Cold World (2016) retained Pauley's role on bass and clean vocals, with his parts gaining more prominence amid Carlile's waning involvement. Issued on September 9, 2016, through Rise Records, the album peaked at number 20 on the Billboard 200. Tracks like "Real" and "Like a Ghost" highlighted Pauley's melodic delivery, contributing to the record's atmospheric shift. The tracklist comprises: "Game of War," "The Lie," "Real," "Like a Ghost," "Contagious," "(instrumental)," "Pain," "The Hunger," "Transgress," "Instability," and "Cold World." A live release from this era, Live at Brixton (2016), captured performances including Pauley's bass and vocal work during the band's sold-out show at London's O2 Academy Brixton.^[54][55] With Carlile's departure in 2016, Pauley assumed lead vocals—handling both clean and screamed parts—on Defy (2018), the band's first album without a dedicated unclean vocalist. Released January 19, 2018, via Rise Records, it debuted at number 48 on the Billboard 200. Pauley's versatile performance drove the album's grunge-influenced metalcore, as heard in "Instincts" and "Unbreakable." The tracklist is: "Instincts," "Back to Me," "The Mountain," "Money," "If We Were Ghosts," "Unbreakable," "Vertigo," "More Color," "How Will You Live," and "On the Inside."^[56][57] Pauley continued as lead vocalist and bassist on EARTHANDSKY (2019), where he began contributing to production elements. The album, released September 27, 2019, through Rise Records, explored themes of resilience and peaked at number 5 on the Billboard Hard Rock Albums chart. Pauley's vocals anchored dynamic tracks like "Gravedancer" and "Earth & Sky," blending heavy breakdowns with soaring choruses. The tracklist includes: "Gravedancer," "As We Suffocate," "Taste of Regret," "Mushroom Cloud," "Pieces," "Deceiver/Believer," "Earth & Sky," "Levee," "Anchor," and "The Vision."^[58][59] In 2021, Of Mice & Men released two EPs—Timeless (February 19) and Bloom (May 28)—self-produced by the band with Pauley handling mixing and mastering, before compiling them into the full-length Echo (December 3). These releases solidified Pauley's expanded role in production while maintaining his lead vocals and bass. Timeless featured tracks like "Timeless" and "Obsolete"; Bloom included "Bloom," "Pulling Teeth," and "Mosaic"; and Echo added "Fighting Gravity," "Echo," and a cover of Crosby, Stills & Nash's "Helplessly Hoping," peaking at number 14 on the Billboard Hard Rock Albums chart. The complete Echo tracklist is: "Timeless," "Obsolete," "Anchor," "Levee," "Bloom," "Pulling Teeth," "Mosaic," "Fighting Gravity," "Echo," and "Helplessly Hoping." A 2022 deluxe edition of Echo incorporated live recordings from the EPs.^[60][61][62] Pauley's production involvement deepened on Tether (2023), where he mixed and mastered the album alongside his vocal and bass duties. Released October 6, 2023, via SharpTone Records, it evoked nostalgia through tracks like "Warpaint" and "Into the Sun," charting at number 5 on the Billboard Hard Rock Albums chart. The tracklist consists of: "Integration," "Warpaint," "Shiver," "Eternal Pessimist," "Into the Sun," "Enraptured," "Castaway," "Indigo," "The River," and "Crosses." The band also issued the Ad Infinitum EP (2022), featuring Pauley's self-produced tracks "Levee (Reimagined)" and "Anchor (Reimagined)."^[63][64] The band's ninth studio album, Another Miracle (2025), represents Pauley's most hands-on effort yet, as he wrote, produced, engineered, mixed, and mastered the record. Released on November 14, 2025, via Century Media Records, it builds on the melodic heaviness of prior works with singles "Another Miracle" (May 8, 2025), "Wake Up" (July 10, 2025), "Troubled Water" (September 18, 2025), and "Flowers" (November 10, 2025). The full tracklist is:

• "A Waltz"
• "Troubled Water"
• "Safe and Sound"
• "Hourglass"
• "Wake Up"
• "Another Miracle"
• "Flowers"
• "The Depths"
• "Integration"
• "Warpaint"
• "Shiver"
• "Eternal Pessimist"

^{[65][66][28][67]}

Collaborations and guest appearances

Throughout his career, Aaron Pauley has contributed guest vocals to various tracks outside his primary bands, showcasing his versatile clean vocal style in metalcore, post-hardcore, and electronic-infused projects.^[68] In 2010, Pauley provided vocals for "You Had Me at Hello" by The Parade, a post-hardcore track from their album Castles.^[69] His 2011 feature came on "Battle for Athens" by The Light Iris, where he delivered prominent clean vocals on the album Cities Built on Ruins of Regret.^[70] Pauley appeared on the 2015 compilation Metal Matters (Charting the Evolution of Metal) with Of Mice & Men's "Bones Exposed," highlighting his band's contribution to the metal genre overview. In 2020, he guested on "Light It Up" by Italian metalcore band Elyne, adding melodic layers to the single's intense breakdown sections.^[68] Pauley's 2021 appearance was on the promotional compilation Maximum Metal Vol. 268, featuring Of Mice & Men's "Fighting Gravity" as a key track in the metal selection. He contributed vocals to "Meet You in the Sound" by Kayzo and PhaseOne in 2022, blending his rock influences with dubstep elements on the electronic track.^[71] That same year, Pauley featured on "Sacred Kiss" from Bad Wolves' Sacred Kiss EP, providing harmonies that complemented the hard rock aggression.^[72] In 2023, Pauley lent his vocals to "The Lesson (.44 Magnum)" by The Seafloor Cinema on their self-titled album, enhancing the post-hardcore energy with soaring cleans.^[73] Pauley's most recent guest spot as of 2024 was on "One Foot in the Grave" by From Ashes to New, a bonus track on the deluxe edition of Blackout, where his featured vocals amplified the alt-metal intensity.^[74] No additional external collaborations or guest appearances by Pauley were announced in 2025, with his focus remaining on Of Mice & Men's Another Miracle album.^[1]