INTERVIEW: Parallama discuss origins and influences alongside new single ‘Runner’
Having already established as one of the more inventive names on the rise right now, Parallama are back on the grind once again to deliver their dynamic new single ‘Runner’.
Set to feature on their forthcoming sophomore album, ‘Runner’ continues that broad and immersive psych-rock aesthetic they are quickly earning a reputation for. So we sat down with them to find out more about their origins and what has been influencing their sound over the years.
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What was the first rock song or artist that made an impact on you?
The first rock song that really hit me was AC/DC’s You Shook Me All Night Long from Back in Black. I got a bunch of 8-track tapes and an 8-track player from an older cousin when he upgraded his sound system. I must have listened to that album a thousand times, and this track quickly emerged as the leader of the pack. What impressed me was how tight the band was—and that they didn’t overwhelm the listener with noodly instrumentation. Every guitar chord, bass note, and drum hit was exactly where it needed to be. At the time, I was an intermediate violin student. I loved playing classical music, but AC/DC showed me a whole new world. From that moment on, I knew I wanted to play in a rock band.
Who are some of your biggest musical influences within the rock genre?
As time went on, I was drawn to punk, ’80s new wave, and progressive rock. This phase started with the Dead Kennedys, early lo-fi Devo, and the Talking Heads. What I loved about this music was how the bands embraced alternative social views and expressed those ideas and emotions through their sound. Around the same time, I became enamored with early Pink Floyd albums featuring Syd Barrett, King Crimson, Brian Eno’s solo pop work, Funkadelic, and early Frank Zappa albums. I’m only naming a few artists here, but I was listening to everything I could get my hands on. Later, I fell in love with Cat Power (Chan Marshall) and Smog (Bill Callahan), especially their ability to craft songs that are rich in emotion and pure creativity couched in a sparse musical landscape.
Are there any non-rock musicians or genres that have also influenced your music?
Having been trained on the violin from an early age, I’ve been influenced by classical music, gypsy jazz à la Stéphane Grappelli and Django Reinhardt, and bluegrass/old-time country music. I used to write and record bluegrass, country, and jazzy songs, but these days I’m more focused on my rock roots. I began writing and recording songs as Parallama last year, and my first album, titled Resolution, was released in December ’24 after six months of hard work. I wrote all the songs and played all the instruments on the album, which was challenging, to say the least. But my years of experience playing different styles of music provided a solid foundation for this work.
What is your main inspiration when looking to write new music?
I try to write songs that reflect how I’m feeling about myself and the world. My songs typically start with the instrumentation rather than the lyrics (with a few exceptions). I choose a rhythm or pace based on my mood that day, then usually move back and forth between the piano and violin to capture that feeling in a harmonic and melodic structure. I draw inspiration from the air around me, fueled by a desire to create something impactful, new, and hopefully meaningful. I abhor trend-followers who produce derivative work. When I shared Resolution with an old friend before its release, he said it sounded like nothing he had heard before. I think he was stretching a bit (!), but I took it as a huge compliment. For me, creating something unique is paramount.
What do you enjoy most about performing live and do you have any memorable live performance experiences you’d like to share?
I love playing live. In addition to Parallama, I’m involved in a few other bands as an electric violin/fiddle player. An audience gives me a jolt of adrenaline, which usually translates into better focus, sharper listening, and more courage to experiment with clever instrumental twists.
One of my most memorable experiences, however, was while playing violin in a rock band in Vienna, Austria, where I lived for a couple of years. The show was going great—until, in the middle of a song, the bass player, who was standing in front of me to the right, got a bit too excited and wheeled around on his left foot, nailing me hard in the torso. I fell backward and instinctively tucked my violin close to protect it, driving my left elbow through a window behind me in the process. My elbow was cut up pretty badly, but I didn’t notice. I pulled myself up and quickly started playing again.
A couple of minutes later, I noticed a girl in the front row had turned pale and was staring at me, aghast, waving frantically. Realizing something was wrong, I looked down and saw that I was standing in a large pool of blood that had been pouring out of my arm. Not being a quitter, I finished my part and left the stage to get some first aid between songs. This consisted of a large bandage and a few shots of Irish whiskey. I probably should have gone to the ER—but that’s not rock and roll. That night, I managed to get a lot of blood all over my violin, and I swear it’s sounded better ever since.
What has been a particularly rewarding moment in your musical journey so far?
When I finished recording the songs for the second Parallama album, I was already halfway through writing the songs for the third. This latest phase of songwriting has been incredibly rewarding. Most days, I get up, get my daughter off to school, and then head to the studio to work. Since starting the Parallama experiment a little over a year ago, I’ve written and recorded over 30 songs. On most of them, I do everything myself, but starting with the second album, I’ve brought in some friends who contribute fresh ideas and styles. I usually have a sketch of their part recorded—but sometimes not. I love writing songs and wrapping them into a neatly produced package. I’m hoping listeners will recognize that when they hear the music.
How would you define success as a musician?
I’d like to see some revenue come my way, but that’s not what defines success in the end. What matters most to me is reaching listeners who are serious about music. If the songs don’t click with today’s audience, maybe they will a few years down the line. Right now, success is defined by the feeling I get when I’ve just written the first sketch of a song and know, in that moment, that it’s great—no matter what anyone else says.
What advice would you give to aspiring artists who are just starting out?
Establish a regular songwriting routine. Sometimes it’s painful—things just don’t flow on certain days—but stick with it. Never throw anything away, but always be ready to change direction and toss it all in the rubbish bin in a heartbeat. Learn multiple instruments; doing so will help you understand music more fully. Record everything, and don’t do it half-assed or unprofessionally. These days, with a decent mic, good headphones, and a laptop, you can produce professional-quality recordings. Finally, don’t be a sheep. Find a sound that’s uniquely yours, and trust your instincts.
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Watch the new video for Parallama’s ‘Runner’ below.