Upclose with Paramore
Tennessee-based pop/punk rock band Paramore made their breakthrough in 2007 with their Grammy-nominated, platinum-selling album “Riot!” Since then, the quintet has won fans all over the world, put out a new album and undergone a surprising lineup change. Ahead of their Hong Kong debut, frontgirl Hayley Williams talks to Penny Zhou.
HK Magazine: Paramore was formed in 2004, when you were 15. What was it like to start a career in the business at such a young age?
Hayley Williams: I always think it’s a very romantic thing to be in a band when you’re a teenager. It’s an amazing time to get started. You have a group of good friends and a good vibe. We would just go to Jeremy’s [Davis, bassist] garage and jam all the time. It’s our whole life, but a very hectic life—it keeps us moving.
HK: Did you grow up in a musical family?
HW: Sort of, but not as much as Jeremy and Taylor [York, guitarist]. They have family members who are amazing musicians.
HK: How did you feel about two co-founders, Josh and Zac Farro, leaving the band last year?
HW: At the moment when it happened, I was like, “Ouch!” It’s something I’d never thought of and it definitely hurt. Six years is a long time and we’ve gone through a lot. I wish them the best.
HK: But how does the change of the lineup affect your live performances?
HW: The live shows are so good. I’m not bragging or anything, haha! But the new lineup really works and we enjoy performing live very much.
HK: Among all the places you’ve performed at, do you have a favorite and a least favorite?
HW: It’s very hard to pick a favorite one… I think Edinburgh, among many others, is wonderful, and we had a blast playing there. I wouldn’t say there is a least favorite place. If a place didn’t feel right that’s probably because we didn’t deliver our best. Like a while ago in Leeds, UK, everything about that gig—from the sound system to the weather to our performance—just wasn’t good. And I feel so bad about that. I hope we can go back there sometime and make it up to the audience with a great show.
HK: What bands/artists are you listening to at the moment?
HW: There’re a lot. Have you heard of the band Best Coast? They’re a new indie band and they’re very good. I can’t stop listening to their debut album, “Crazy for You.” Also Adele—she’s such a great singer and songwriter.
