This week’s Awesome Song is a wondrous synthpop nugget from Near Paris, a band from Columbus Ohio. Near Paris was only a duo, Dana and Gerald, but what a sound they made. Strong synth, infectious grooves and Dana’s absolutely mesmerizing vocal can be found in all of their work, which unfortunately was only one EP. I remember hearing NP at new wave clubs in NYC in the mid-eighties but that was the days before Shazam and Soundhound .. so their band name was unknown to me . You can imagine my delight when I heard the same song thirty years later on SOMA-FM’s Underground 80s and finally discovered it was Near Paris. And even better - like their modern-day labelmates, the phenomenal Play - their entire catalog, of everything they made in 1985, has been re-released digitally in the new century by Medical Records! Enjoy “Ceiling” in 2017. And we’ll hear from Near Paris again on a future Awesome Song.
-WAS
Great song, I had never heard of these guys. After listening to this, I downloaded all their stuff. My favorite tune by Near Paris is "He's Too Fine".
ReplyDeleteWow, this was indeed awesome! Like Marc D., I'd never heard of them, so I'm glad I revisited this blog. I'm going to have to check out their other stuff, also.
ReplyDeleteSo glad you enjoyed ! Near Paris is like a synthpop secret weapon ... one of the best.
ReplyDeleteHidden 80s gems like this shall continue to abound on Awesome New Wave Song of The Week !
Well, that'll keep me coming!
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