IN CONVERSATION WITH THE PARADOX

interview by JANA LETONJA

In less than two years, Atlanta’s The Paradox have gone from posting videos online to becoming one of the most talked-about new bands in rock. As the first all-Black band to reach No. 1 on Billboard’s Alternative Airplay chart, they’ve already made history, but they’re clearly focused on what’s next. Fresh off an acclaimed NPR Tiny Desk performance, the release of their new single Good For Me, and the announcement of their first-ever US headline tour, The Paradox are entering a new chapter that feels bigger than a breakthrough.

photography by ALEXANDER GAY

It feels like you’re entering a completely new era. Does this moment, with Good For Me, Tiny Desk, and your first headline tour, feel like a turning point for the band?

Eric: Yes, it’s unreal. We started working on this project last year and we couldn’t have imagined how well people would receive it. We’re eternally grateful for all the great opportunities that we’ve been given and it keeps us looking forward to whatever’s coming next.

Your Tiny Desk performance introduced a different side of The Paradox. What did you want people to take away from those performances?

Donald: We want people to understand that The Paradox appreciates music outside of pop punk. From the reggae and doo wop intros to the Nerd and Prince inspired endings, we shared music styles that were a big influence to us growing up.

During Tiny Desk, you spoke about “putting rock back in the hands of the originators.” Can you expand on what that mission means to you personally?

Eric: Personally to me, bringing rock music back to the hands of the originators means making it the norm for black people to make rock music again like it was 60-70 years ago. And reminding people that rock music is black music at its core.

Sonically, Good For Me hints at a broader palette. Are you consciously trying to push beyond the traditional pop-punk sound?

Eric: Thank you. We were definitely trying to make a song with broader appeal with IKLT leaning heavy into the “pop” in pop punk. I know the real punk fans might not like it as much, but we hope it can bring more people into the genre that might not have listened to it otherwise.

You’re about to embark on your first headline tour. What can fans expect from these headline shows that they haven’t seen before?

Eric: A lot more of us. Longer sets give us the chance to tell a bigger story, play songs we’ve never had the opportunity to play before, and really connect with everyone in the room. We want people to leave with something they can carry home. Music has done that for us our whole lives, and if we can make someone feel seen, give them hope, or help them forget about life for an hour, that’s what it’s all about.

image courtesy of THE PARADOX

Atlanta is known for hip-hop and R&B. How has growing up there shaped the way you approach rock music?

Percy: Growing up in Atlanta, hip-hop and R&B is like the main genre and that’s what I mainly grew up listening to. It has shaped the way I approach rock music in the in the same way seafood shapes your for BBQ. It’s 2 different worlds. And that’s a really big reason as to why I fell in love with the genre in the first place.

Looking back at your whirlwind rise, has your definition of success changed over the past year?

Xelan: It has. Success isn’t just about reaching certain milestones anymore. It’s about longevity. We want to be in those GOAT conversations 20 or 30 years from now. We want to do this for the rest of our lives and leave something behind that people will still be talking about years later. We also make sure to take time to celebrate the wins while continuing to strive to be the best we can be to make our goals a reality.  

Millions of people discovered you through social media. Now that audiences know who The Paradox are, how do you keep surprising them?

Donald: We will keep surprising them by continuing to put out new music. The upcoming EP will have sounds and themes that are unique to the genre. Also people who have discovered us, need to see us live to get a proper Paradox experience.

You often talk about creating space for the next generation of rock musicians. What do you hope a young Black kid watching your Tiny Desk performance sees?

Donald: We hope that young person sees how authentic we are. From the way we look to what we play, we are being unapologetically ourselves no matter what room we are in. If that kid picks up a guitar or decides to move against the norm, they will have our support.

You’ve hinted that this is just the beginning of a bigger chapter. Without giving too much away, what excites you most about what’s coming next?

Eric: We’re really excited to keep meeting new fans around the country and even the world. And even more so to create more music to share with them.

Percy: What excites me the most about the future are the bands and superstars we have the opportunity to partner with. These link ups will be talked about until year 3000.