It’s been a few years since we have heard from the German melodic alt-rock duo known as Para Lia – our latest mention of them came with their ‘Gone With The Flow’ album back in 2020. But a lot has happened since then – for them and for Amplify as well. The band has since released a few things and recorded a new album, signed to a label, will have vinyl on the way and are gearing up to take their show on the road, expanding into a 6-piece band for live performances.
Now that Para Lia has signed to Berlin-based About Us Records, we can expect their new album ‘In Clash With The Zeitgeist’ soon enough – on August 25 to be exact. For now, we have the pleasure to share their new single ‘Sunchild’, a feel-good moving song that, while pleasing the earbuds and perpetuating movement and offering danceability, would also sit comfortably in any good playlist (or mixtape) put together anytime in the past 4 decades. An easy fit with any band from The Cure and Placebo to Curve, Belly or Jesus and Mary Chain, Editors, Arcade Fire or even Aerosmith for that matter.
[bandcamp width=100% height=120 track=3349205276 size=large bgcol=ffffff linkcol=0687f5 tracklist=false artwork=small]
Para Lia was formed by René Methner (all instruments and vocals) and Cindy Methner (backing vocals), who were raised in the eastern part of a divided Germany. Their band name was born of their love for Greece, with para lia (παραλία) meaning “coast” or “beach” in Greek – a name full of mystery but optimism, which both has history and evokes a balance of the masculine and feminine.
Now based in Cottbus (near Berlin), Para Lia’s music is influenced by the rhythms and tones of ‘90s alt-rock and the synth density of ‘80s darkwave. Their own sound blends melodic guitars, along with distinctive lead guitar and resonant synths.
On ‘Sunchild’, Para Lia’s psychedelic side seeps into the lyrics. René Methner says, “That track is a love letter to life. In fact, most of the songs here are characterized by optimism and hope.”
“This is a psychelovic indie rock song for survivors!” says Cindy Methner. “This is an ode to not letting it get you down and was created in darker days. It’s an optimistic song to blink into the sun, where the joy of life is at home behind the black holes”
Ignoring the zeitgeist of this day and age, Para Lia creates music that is far from mainstream. Despite this, or maybe because of it, the band has gathered listeners from around the world. Debuting with the ‘Soap Bubble Dreams’ album in 2019, followed by ‘Gone With The Flow’, which involved artists from the USA, Canada and the UK, as well as a collaborative interactive art exhibition with painter Louis Renzoni.
Now Para Lia is ready to enter the next chapter with the new album ‘In Clash With The Zeitgeist’. Self-recorded and produced at their home studio, these tracks were then mastered by Thommy Hein (Die Ärzte, Nina Hagen, Udo Lindenberg). This album sees them blend their love for late 80’s and early 90’s indie rock with 60’s influences, psychedelic, garage rock and early prog rock elements.
‘In Clash With The Zeitgeist’ features appearances by US keyboardist Fady Haddad, who was involved in Para Lia’s previous record, as well as two artists from the Staatstheater Cottbus – Christian Georgi on electric piano and baritone Andreas Jäpel on vocals. The artwork was designed by Greek artist Georgia Moschogianni.
‘In Clash With The Zeitgeist’ sees Para Lia grow on yet another level with the band expanding from two members to six with an eye towards pursuing live performances.
‘Sunchild’ is out today, available across fine music platforms, including Apple Music, Spotify andBandcamp. You can also order it at https://paralia.lnk.to/Sunchild. The full album ‘In Clash With The Zeitgeist’ will be released, both digitally and on vinyl, on August 25.
ALBUM CREDITS
René Methner – guitars, bass guitar, keys, drum programming, vocals Cindy Methner – vocals
Fady Haddad – synth on ‘Yellow Rose‘
Christian Georgi – e-piano on ‘Yellow Rose‘ and ‘Sunchild (Reprise)’
Andreas Jäpel – vocals on ‘Mr. Perry’
Lyrics and music by René Methner
Recorded and produced by Para Lia
Mixed by Para Lia and Thommy Hein
Mastered by Thommy Hein at The Thommy Hein Tonstudios Berlin
Cover artwork by: Georgia Moschogianni
P&C 2023 Para Lia under exclusive license to About Us Records GmbH
Video by René Methner
