A Chat with Para Lia (01.10.23)
Blending elements of garage rock, post-punk, indie-rock, and alternative rock with psychedelic tinges, German band Para Lia spread nostalgic vibes in modern-day melodies. We speak with Para Lia about their new album In Clash With The Zeitgeist, good advice, future plans and favourite food.
OSR: Let’s jump right into it: you recently released your album In Clash With The Zeitgeist. What can you tell us about it?
Para Lia: The album is a musical trip which sees Para Lia play with a lot of musical influences and references, from the 60s garage rock and psychedelic elements to the indie-rock 90s style. With the sound of the 21st century. We are very happy with how the album came out.
OSR: What was the experience of recording In Clash With The Zeitgeist like? What were the good things and the bad things, so to say?
Para Lia: The album sounds the way it does because of our work with Thommy Hein in Berlin, who co-mixed and mastered the tracks. To work with this guy is an amazing experience. The work on the album, starting with the songwriting, was a big pleasure and a wonderful musical trip. To be indie in the best way – to act independently and to do/record what we want is a great feeling of freedom. We knew that the album – although it has a sound which is up to date – with all the references and influences is far away from being modern and absolutely not part of the musical ‘Zeitgeist’.
OSR: Do you feel In Clash With The Zeitgeist is a true representation of Para Lia at the moment?
Para Lia: Musically yes, absolutely. The main difference now is that we are no duo any longer but a band of six. It was the positive resonance on the Para Lia songs we got from every corner to bring the music out on stage which finally drove us to look around, if we would find musicians who would join us. And we were lucky indeed and found 4 great guys and musicians and are about to form a band which is able to do live gigs. We love the chemistry between us and the energy we feel when we play together – and this is what we want to bring to the stage and to the audience.
OSR: What do you want people to take from your album?
Para Lia: We hope that the people love the music as much as we do.
OSR: You just released your music video for ‘Mr Perry’. What can you tell us about it?
Para Lia: ‘Mr Perry’ sees us combining two different musical styles – in this guitar-driven indie rocker opera singer Andreas Jäpel joins us, singing a part of a 19th-century opera. Scenes of the video were shot at the Staatstheater Cottbus, a great art nouveau building. We think that song and video really go hand in hand – have a look and a listen.
VIEWER DISCRETION IS ADVISED
OSR: If you were to introduce a new listener to your music, which song would you choose?
Para Lia: It is hard to decide because we of course love all the stuff on the album. Maybe we would advise listening to ‘C’est La Vie’ – you find the main things there Para Lia is about: guitar-driven rock, contrasting male and female vocals, a kind of a catchy hookline and our love for a good melody.
OSR: How would you describe your music?
Para Lia: It was Cindy who created the word “psychalovic” for the song ‘Sunchild’, and we loved that word and widened it for the whole album, which we describe as a collection of “psychalovic sonic songs for lovers and survivors”.
OSR: Random questions: what is the best piece of advice you have ever received?
Para Lia: If you have a look at musicians like Neil Young the advice you can grab is “always be and stay authentic”.
OSR: If you could eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Para Lia: One of the creations of Greek cuisine for sure. We love the Greek food.
OSR: What future plans are there for Para Lia?
Para Lia: To go live with the band in 2024, we really are looking forward to this.
OSR: Do you have a message for our readers?
Para Lia: If you have a chance dive into the album to discover the Para Lia sound and style and enjoy the music as much as we do.
VIEWER DISCRETION IS ADVISED
Many thanks to Para Lia for speaking with us! For more from Para Lia, check out their official website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, SoundCloud, Bandcamp, TikTok and Spotify.
This artist was discovered via Musosoup #sustainablecurator
