Death of Paris
Columbia, South Carolina, United States | Established. Jan 01, 2009 | SELF
Music
Press
The four piece rock band put on a high-energy set that included their song “Shut Up and Kiss Me” as well as an impressive cover of “Rebel Yell.” Lead singer Jayna Doyle has a very seductive stage presence, oozing pin-up-girl sex appeal while belting out the band’s songs. - Orlando Music Examiner
"a band on the rise from South Carolina, Death of Paris." - AXS
Death of Paris may well be the catchiest band in Columbia, and 2013’s GOSSIP EP is a convincing distillation of the group’s bombastic synth-pop. Witness “Shut Up & Kiss Me,” where brash synth blasts buttress Jayna Doyle’s billowing hooks, as she refuses to let her femininity keep her from aggressively pursuing a desired romance. - Free Times
“A stunning piece of sonic electro-rhythm with enough guitar to qualify as a rock record, yet the hooks and beats are pure pop." - Kevin Oliver, Free Times
DOP's sophomore album starts off with 'Give + Take', a familiar sounding track that picks up where their self-titled debut left off three years ago. But quickly the album drops into its own with the second track 'Shut up & Kiss me' (above). The song has heavy synth that is beyond danceable, DOP's front woman Jayna Doyle keeps the track grounded with her trademark raspy voice. The album finishes on a slower note with the track 'Secret' which could easily become a radio hit.
"GOSSIP" brings the listener, as well as the band, through a range of emotions; from Lust to Hate and everything in between. DOP's second album is a big step forward for the band, opening the doors for new fans but not leaving day-one followers behind. The addition of Beardsley and Bass for this recording (and live) add texture to DOP's established sound from three years ago. I have sat on this review for a few weeks now. Listening to the album, digesting and coming away quite happy and wanting more. - Rocky Dohmen, The Digitel
"It’s not a stretch to proclaim Columbia’s Death Of Paris one of the hardest working group in the Carolinas over the past several years." - Wes Gilliam, Shuffle Magazine
“This is pop music with no apologies, made for the radio, made to be stuck in and inextricable from a listener’s memory and it succeeds in its mission. What we have here is serious big league work." - Sean Knight, SC Music Guide
"Gossip, the new release from Columbia, SC quartet is probably one of the most complete, cleanly finished albums this website has seen from an independent artist. " - Victor Alfieri, Wordkrapht
"Pounding pavement, tireless touring and guerrilla social media marketing — the backstory to this band is crucial to understanding it. It’s the same unrelenting passion that can be heard in its kinetic, synth-loving modern rock. Lead singer Jayna Doyle’s vocals are the bazooka blast, hurling the fiery explosion expertly on target. Now, the hard work and dedication are paying off; this show is a celebration of the fruits of its labor. The group debuts the video for “Narcoleptic” tonight on the wall of Five Points Pub; the video was shot this summer at Art Bar, many of the extras faithful local fans. Death of Paris also promises to play some new tunes, so get ready for a party." - S. Till, Free Times - Columbia, SC
"...this was my first experience to see Death of Paris in a live setting. Having heard their album, I feared they had relied heavily on the wondrous toys and magical abilities of studio wizardry. Therefore, I was somewhat nervous about how the band would sound in a live setting. Not only was I pleasantly surprised, but can say without question that this band is legit. Death of Paris describes their sound as Electro Pop, which I can totally understand and embrace. It is like “ear candy”…sweet, full, powerful, and you want some more as soon as you have consumed the last piece. Led vocally by Jayna Doyle, this is one tight and well-controlled outfit of musicians. The group plays well together, and it is apparent that they enjoy performing. Coupled with a dazzling array of lights and lasers, the combination of visuals and music made for a compelling show. I really like it when a show comes off well, especially in the midst of a small, yet respectable crowd. The atmosphere was cozy enough to feel at times as if they were playing in my living room. Strong hooks, great vocals, and wonderful stage presence made for an entertaining evening. I am certainly looking forward to their new material dropping this spring. Throw in a fat man and a tree and you’ve got musical Christmas!" - Mike Van Houten, SC Music Guide
“East or West,” the first song written after the breakup, has a haunting electricity. “Give yourself a hand, ’cause you gave up on this / It was your dying wish, and still you called it quits,” Doyle sings to open the track, her vocals filtered. The song then briefly erupts into a guitar-and-synth-driven dance track before being tempered by a return to Doyle’s impassioned lyrical ode. Another standout is “We’ll Sleep When We’re Dead,” which illustrates the band’s penchant for anthemic and memorable choruses, the kind of stick-in-your-head words and melodies heard on hits. It made me want to start the car and drive.. with the stereo at full blast, which is what I did. This is one of the scene’s most creative and public relations savvy bands in town. Others, before you pick up the phone — and instruments, while I’m at it — you should take note." - Otis Taylor, The State - Columbia, SC
"Propulsive, instantly memorable songs that sprout hooks somewhere in the chaos and don't let go. This band has an exciting sound and true songwriting talent."
- Vincent Harris, Metromix Greenville - Greenville, SC
“If success is the result of hard work and raw talent, then it’s certainly in the cards for Death of Paris. Few bands in this town work as hard as Death of Paris, and the quintet, it seems, has spent more time out of Columbia than in it, touring for months on end up and down the East Coast.." - Pat Wall, Free Times - Columbia, SC
"The band lists among their favorite artists Emily Haines, MSTRKRFT and Hot Chip, but their fuzzy Electro tracks — fused with tight, dancefriendly rhythms and some strong guitar work — have much more accessibility than those artists thanks to the bubbly melodies Doyle comes up with and the enchanting, elastic voice with which she sings them. They have serious mainstream chart and radio potential — it’s not hard to imagine Death of Paris being handpicked for a tour with Garbage, Paramore and Gwen Stefani. They’d be a perfect fit."
-Mike Breen - Mike Breen, City Beat - Cincinnati, OH
Discography
Still working on that hot first release.
Photos
Bio
Pop music gets a bad rap. Some say it lacks sincerity, that its artists are created on reality TV shows and in million-dollar studios, that its songs aren’t written by the artists themselves, and that its demographic is the lowest common denominator. Here’s the thing: we still love it. In fact, we are pretty much obsessed with pop music — how it works, where it came from, and the subtle nuances that make a song memorable and beguiling and haunting and just plain likable.
We’ve been making pop music since 2010, but on our terms. Along the way, we learned to hustle by being our own dutiful tour managers, late-night PR Agents, faithful roadies and the most excited merch people you’ll ever meet. It’s that DIY spirit that seems to clash with the whole pop thing, and that’s the difference — we are sincere, and our music is equally as genuine.
A paradox like that can get people talking, which is why we’ve entitled our newest EP “GOSSIP.” Recorded in late 2013 with Zack Odom and Kenneth Mount (Mayday Parade, All Time Low, We Are the In Crowd) it has the Pop-obsessed characteristics of classic Death of Paris meshed with the ear for detail, songcraft and shine that Odom and Mount bring to the table.
"GOSSIP" reflects the year and a half of writing collectively as a band for the first time, and also of our loyal fans who have helped spread the word about the album that they've also helped successfully fund via Kickstarter. "GOSSIP" plays on the grey-area between perception and reality, how one of the oldest and most common means of sharing facts, views and slanders can often shape the idea before the reality of it has even been experienced. Within these songs, we hope that listeners can find their own real experiences, as each track serves as a snapshot of our own.
We don't believe in 9 to 5s. We don't believe in settling, and we sure don't believe in molding to an idea based off someone else's expectations.
We believe in rock ‘n’ roll, breaking the rules, and creating your own reality.
Ours just happens to be writing unapologetic pop music.
Band Members
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