Performing
under the moniker Päter Iran-born,
Toronto-based Parmida Kakavand’s unique brand of indie pop/rock navigates
themes like self-discovery and mental health with a lighthearted touch.
After grabbing the attention of listeners internationally by posting original
music online, Päter’s debut single ‘Dam, Damn’ racked up over 2,000,000 streams
on Spotify alone. Following on the heels of that success, Päter independently
released two vibrant EP projects - 2020’s ‘SOLE’, “a six-track EP
bursting with fun instrumentation, overlaying catchy vocals, and upbeat vibes”
(Elena Childers, Breakthru Radio) and 2022’s “WHEREFORE WEEP I THEN?” a
collection of cheeky, whip smart tunes about side-stepping vulnerability in
love.
As soon as pandemic restrictions allowed, Päter was off to the races performing
shows across Canada and landing NEXT magazine’s featured Indie Rock Artist slot
at 2022’s NXNE Festival. Päter’s exuberant, infectious stage presence has
gained them a reputation for upbeat and inclusive shows that leave audiences
wanting more.
The summer of 2023 has seen Päter back in a big way, and they’re showing no
signs of slowing down. After two fresh single releases accompanied by
self-directed videos – June’s vibrant pop-rock piece “Four Walls” and the
folk-rock leaning anthem “Nicotine
Hallelujah” in July – Päter is back with another song packed
with personality and a hook that’ll stay with you for days.
“Something // Way”
(read as Something in the Way) may be Päter’s most straight ahead Alt-Rock
track yet, pulling from the musician’s early influences like The Strokes and
The Killers. The production brims with ethos from the first note, thrashing and
swaying ahead as Päter grapples with their own internal blocks.
From Päter, “‘Something //
Way’ is a song about stop/starting, feeling stuck, and getting in
your own way. I wrote it when I was dealing with a lot of self-doubt around
putting music out into the world. It sort of celebrates the rage that comes
from attempting to do anything at all but ultimately pushes on without
succumbing to it. I grew up listening to a lot of indie and alt rock like The
Strokes, Killers, Hollerado. With this song I wanted to lean as far into that
world as I could while keeping it a bit tongue in cheek. The video is also an
ode to that pure 2000s indie rock, band-in-a-room vibe. We had a blast shooting
it, the little mini me inside was very proud.”
On the production, Päter teamed up with Vancouver-based co-producer Howard
Redekopp whose previous work includes Canadian all-stars Tegan & Sara and
Mother Mother. Redekopp’s soundscape brings precision to Päter’s bright,
irreverent songwriting. This is the second release from the pair’s
collaborations following Nicotine Hallelujah, leading to a Päter’s debut LP
release in 2024. On the LP Päter shares, “‘4-7
Company’ is a concept project about the hours between 4-7pm, after
work and before the evening's festivies, when you're alone with your thoughts
and anything can happen. It's a reflection on solitude, cycles, and
relationship with self. Sonically, it’s not entirely a departure from my
previous releases, but a significant expansion of the world”.
What the critics are saying…
“With
the release of “Something // Way” (read as ‘Something in the Way’), Päter
delivers an indie rock anthem that pulsates with charisma and a relentless
energy from the start.”
Plastic Mag
“'Something
// Way' makes for a rousing return from the artist at the helm. Jam-packed with
rich and alluring textures, a sweeping atmosphere, and vibrant hooks
throughout, they are continuing their ascent as one of the more compelling
names on the rise with this one.”
Mystic Sons
“A
fun and energy-packed indie rock banger that evokes the spirit of bands like
The Stokes or the Arctic Monkeys thanks to its crashing guitars and Päter’s
sense of personality and guile. ‘Something // Way’ very much feels like a
modernisation of the sleazy, garagey heyday of 2000s indie rock, with all of
the swagger and bravado to match, with the artist’s sound feeling as catchy as
it does emphatic throughout.”
CLOUT
“The
track is one of those classic indie-rock tracks that has been touched by
pop-gods… With a crisp percussion backing up the track we can find ourselves
hearing influences from a variety of genres, rock, surf, and indie-pop - all
the while sounding so familiar, like a best friend giving you a call.”
It’s All Indie
“Blessed
with all of the charisma and charm in the world, Toronto artist PÄTER is
somebody who continues to surprise and beguile us with the energetic glow and
appeal of their explosive alternative pop/rock sound, with three stellar
releases to their name already this year.” -
CLOUT
