Based in Allston, Massachusetts, Paper Lady self-describes as “the immortal crone.” Embodied via guitarist and lead singer Alli Raina, the presence is summoned when guitarist Rowan Martin, bassist Will Davila, keyboard player Kenzo Divic, drummer Alex Castile light eighteen indigo colored candles and play their instruments, creating what they describe as “ethereal freak rock” in the process.
After meeting at Berklee College of Music, the five quickly became friends and have become a fixture of the DIY scene in Allston and the surrounding Boston area. Following a couple of singles last year, including the beguilingly dreamy ‘EVE’, Paper Lady are preparing to release a new EP in 2023 and have kicked off the year with a brand new single to whet appetites. Titled ‘Five of Swords’, the song heralds something of a stylistic shift for the band, moving into noisier, shoegaze-shaded territory while maintaining the other-worldly spiritualism of their previous work. As the title suggests, it is inspired by a card from the tarot deck. “Five of Swords represents a battle well fought,” the band explain, “where no one truly came out victorious.”
how can you stand so tall
when I’ve fallen and it was your call
Check out the video shot, directed, and edited by Indie DiMartino below:
‘Five of Swords’ is out now via streaming services. Also be sure to stay tuned to the Paper Lady Bandcamp page for info on the EP, and to listen to previous releases.