Raglan-based alternative singer songwriter Parabola West, prepares for the release of her upcoming EP ‘Purity of Weakness’. Here’s what you need to know about the up-and-coming artist.
PIANO-DRIVEN, folk influenced, Nordic style, and electronic are a few words that can describe the musical sound of alternative up-and-coming artist Parabola West.
Her stage name coming from her fixation with solar power, physics, and real-life applications of the parabola curve, Parabola West will release her new EP ‘Purity of Weakness’ this year on September 8, with a live release event where she will perform the whole EP highlighted by her released single ‘Fire’.
“I’m really excited,” says Amy (Parabola West) when asked about her upcoming release event. “It’ll be the first time I will be able to perform my songs the way I want them to be heard. I’ll be adding all the samples and beats from the EP, so it’ll sound very similar to the recorded versions.”
Creating a “decorated environment” and making the release event “visually beautiful” are also big for Parabola West.
The released single ‘Fire’ received incredible fan feedback, as the hit song looks at the idea of the temptation of something you know you shouldn’t do, but you still want to. In the Artist’s own words, it is the “seduction of self-destruction.”
Residing in Raglan, Amy and her husband made the choice to move from Auckland to Raglan – which she believes has made changes to her music accordingly. “Moving out of the city into a rural space helped me become very connected to nature. It has been a really big influence on my music, giving me a very grounded head space and adding of imagery in songs, especially to do with the elements.”. Amy and her husband live ‘off-the-grid’ and see living in Raglan as an opportunity to also pursue her interest of solar and wind power.
As the beneficiary of immense fan support, Parabola West was “flabbergasted” with the response she got in 2016 when she began a crowd funding effort which paved the way for her to continue making music and creating the upcoming EP ‘Purity of Weakness.’
The EP name expresses the idea that when you feel at your weakest, the true essence of your character is often revealed.
With long term goals to internationally perform and join the festival circuits, Parabola West is just enjoying the experience right now and says, “It is important to always enjoy the journey.” As for her fans, Parabola West sees ‘Purity of Weakness’as a platform for more opportunities to perform and record. The Artist says she feels “overwhelming gratitude,” and is “constantly in awe of the responses. It is very humbling, I just want to make everyone proud,” as a message to all her fans and support.
About Parabola West:
Originally from East Coast America, Parabola West began writing songs as a teenager. She moved to New Zealand in 2003 and after a 10 year break from music, she returned to her musical roots and launched her solo career as Parabola West in 2013. Her debut EP Did You Hear? was released in March 2014 to great reviews. The much anticipated follow-up was her hit single; ‘Fire’ in October 2015, which received a $10,000 recording and video grant from NZonAir: