Paramida
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PARAMIDA (stylized in all caps) is a German DJ, music producer, and record label owner with Persian background. Based in Berlin, she is a resident DJ at Berghain's Panoramabar and is a travelling DJ. In 2014, she founded electronic music label, Love on the Rocks. PARAMIDA has released three solo EPs. In 2023, she was named one of BBC's 100 Women.
Biography
[edit]PARAMIDA was born and grew up in Germany, where her early love for music was sparked by eclectic mixtapes and a taste for punk and Motown.[1] In her youth, she preferred punk, Motown and alternative music, only appreciating electronic and dance music later.[2][3] On a trip to Toronto at age 12, she picked up CDs by Laurent Garnier and the First Album, which spurred her interest in the musical genre.[2]
From age 13 to 17, PARAMIDA lived in Tehran, where she attended a German school.[4] There, she would attend illegal underground parties and soon became known for her dancing.[5] After returning permanently to Germany, she lived in Wiesbaden, where she discovered the club scene in Frankfurt.[4] She would travel to visit clubs in both Frankfurt and Berlin where she would spend her days and nights dancing and becoming fascinated by house music.[6]
PARAMIDA moved to Berlin in 2010. In 2023, she was named one of the BBC's 100 Women.[7]
DJ career
[edit]When she first expressed interest in becoming a DJ, she recalls the difficulty in breaking into the scene. "I remember that everyone was laughing at me when I wanted to start DJing… and of course all of them were men."[4] Later she shared,
“You have to work hard as a woman...You have to prove yourself. I’ve been DJing for 15 years. It’s not a short time but sometimes I have male colleagues, who, bless them, they’re talented, but they get opportunities in that first year of touring that I only got after years and years.”[2]
In 2015, PARAMIDA played her first set at Berghain's Panoramabar. In 2020 she became a resident DJ at the club, and also works as a touring DJ.[8][9]
She has had residencies at various radio stations, including Rinse FM in London[10] and Berlin radio station Refuge Worldwide.[6]
In 2023, PARAMIDA held a residency on BBC Radio 1, and in 2024, she delivered a BBC Essential Mix broadcast for the station.[11]
Love on the Rocks
[edit]In 2014 while working in Berlin's OYE Records, PARAMIDA decided to start her own record label, Love on the Rocks as an experiment to explore different types of musical tastes.[6][12] The imprint incorporates varied musical styles and tastes, including Italo, disco to neo Goa trance, with each release presenting something different for listeners.[13]
In 2024, the label celebrated its 10th anniversary by releasing the compilation album, "Sky is the Limit".[14] As of 2025, the label has released 30 records.[15]
Music producer
[edit]In 2020, she began to experiment with developing her own music as a producer.[15] In 2021, PARAMIDA released her first solo EP, "Dream Ritual".[16][17] In 2022, she released her second EP on her Love on the Rocks label, ‘Moonrise VII’.[18][19]
Her third EP, "Devil’s Destination", was released in 2025 on her Love on the Rocks imprint.[20]
References
[edit]- ^ Dazed (2023-07-19). "Dazed Mix: PARAMIDA". Dazed. Retrieved 2025-03-05.
- ^ a b c Ross, Annabel (2024-05-08). "Permanent Rotation: PARAMIDA". The Vinyl Factory. Retrieved 2025-03-05.
- ^ Hutchinson, Kate (2016-12-02). "PARAMIDA: 'Notorious BIG reminds me of my childhood'". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2025-03-05.
- ^ a b c "Artist To Artist: Lena Willikens & PARAMIDA". Ransom Note. 2021-08-20. Retrieved 2025-03-05.
- ^ "The Iranian female DJs shaking the dance floor and breaking taboos". BBC News. 2024-03-08. Retrieved 2025-03-05.
- ^ a b c "PARAMIDA | A conversation with the Love on the Rocks founder". www.flaunt.com. Retrieved 2025-03-05.
- ^ "BBC 100 Women 2023: Who is on the list this year? - BBC News". News. Retrieved 2025-03-05.
- ^ "New club Parallel opens in Amsterdam · News ⟋ RA". Resident Advisor. Retrieved 2025-03-05.
- ^ "PARAMIDA Unveils Her Spellbinding EP, "Moonrise VII"". Wonderland. 2022-08-25. Retrieved 2025-03-05.
- ^ Collins, Hattie (2020-05-23). "Everything You Need To Know About Timothée Chalamet's 2020 So Far". British Vogue. Retrieved 2025-03-05.
- ^ "BBC Radio 1 - Radio 1's Essential Mix, PARAMIDA". BBC Radio 1. Retrieved 2025-04-16.
- ^ "Space Is The Place with PARAMIDA". Ransom Note. 2021-08-23. Retrieved 2025-03-05.
- ^ "The Sound Of: Love On The Rocks". DJ Mag. 2024-06-27. Retrieved 2025-03-05.
- ^ "PARAMIDA's Love On The Rocks celebrates 10th anniversary with compilation, 'Sky Is The Limit'". DJ Mag. 2024-05-03. Retrieved 2025-03-05.
- ^ a b "Label Focus – PARAMIDA's Love On The Rocks". Juno Daily. Retrieved 2025-03-05.
- ^ "PARAMIDA announces debut solo EP, 'Dream Ritual', on Love On The Rocks". DJ Mag. 2021-08-25. Retrieved 2025-03-05.
- ^ Rugoff, Lazlo (2021-08-31). "PARAMIDA fuses "drum workouts" with lush pads on debut EP, Dream Ritual". The Vinyl Factory. Retrieved 2025-03-05.
- ^ "Panorama Bar resident PARAMIDA announces second EP". Mixmag. Retrieved 2025-03-05.
- ^ Mullen, Matt (2022-08-12). "PARAMIDA: "Don't overproduce it. The charm is in the rawness"". MusicRadar. Retrieved 2025-03-05.
- ^ "PARAMIDA announces new EP, 'Devil's Destination', shares title track: Listen". DJ Mag. Retrieved 2025-04-16.