Today is not our first round in exploring the offerings of the prolific German post-punk / indie rock duo known as Para Lia (a name inspired by their deep love of Greece and its wonderful beaches). This duo, which is made up of multi-instrumentalist René Methner and vocalist Cindy Methner presents their new video for ‘Yellow Rose’. Exploring the deep and precious cycle of life, ‘Yellow Rose’ is an ode to losing a loved one who can never be forgotten and keeping a piece of them in your heart. The yellow rose stands for loyalty, close friendships and the circle of trust. Here, Para Lia creates the perfect symbiosis of these – melancholy with warmth, sadness with joy, and the prospects of hope – all at the same time.
This is the second taste of their album ‘In Clash With The Zeitgeist’, which is slated for release on August 25 via the Berlin label About Us Records. Fans of New Model Army, The Mission, Placebo and Editors should take note here. This album sees Para Lia 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. This follows up the lead single ‘Sunchild’ – a driving, guitar-laden indie rock lead track that is accompanied by a fun-filled nostalgic self-directed video.
“This is a song about the loss of a loved person, a very emotive track and an attempt to mirror the fragility of life in the song’s arrangement. Para Lia is joined here by two fantastic musicians – Fady Haddad from Baltimore, who provides beautiful synth parts and also joined us on our last album for two tracks. And Christian Georgi – a classical musician, who has been part of the staff at the Staatstheater Cottbus for many years – who plays the E-piano on this track,” says René Methner.
Ignoring the zeitgeist of this day and age, Para Lia creates music that is far from mainstream. 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.
Mastered byThommy Hein (Die Ärzte, Nina Hagen, Udo Lindenberg) at Tonstudios Berlin and self-recorded and produced at their home studio in Cottbus, Germany, ‘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 upcoming live performances.
‘Yellow Rose’ is out now and available digitally across fine music platforms, including Apple Music, Spotify andBandcamp. As of August 25, ‘In Clash With The Zeitgeist’ album will be released on vinyl and digitally.
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
Videos by René Methner
Enter the great soundspace of Para Lia
Facebook | Bandcamp | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | TikTok | Soundcloud | Apple Music | Spotify
