Paris Wells – ‘Dat Du Dat’
Non-sensical titles worked for The Police, but will they work for Melbournite Paris Wells? No, probably not. Visually a cross between Gwen Stefani and latter-era Christina Aguilera, Paris is somewhat of an enigma. How do you market a girl who’s pushing ostenible pop tunes, but has spent time playing at St Jeromes and jazz bars in Melbourne, and supported both Jamie Lidell and Justin Timberlake?
A lot of records labels are still under the delusion that it’s the late ’90s – that people will still buy CDs and that pop is the easy selling medium. Judging by the sounds on her MySpace, her label could have as easily (and better, in my opinion) marketed her as the next Sia, infusing soul and jazz melodies with bottom-heavy beats (check out ‘What Do I Deserve?’ on her website, it’s Sia circa Healing is Difficult for sure, and sounds like a great track to boot), but as it is, releasing ‘Dat Du Dat’, a fragmented and stilted tune, Paris will land herself squarely in the dance-pop corner. That’s a shame because evidently she’s a grass-roots girl playing commercial pop, and the shoe doesn’t seem to fit. Something like ‘Grace Baby’ would have slipped nicely into the slipstream of acts like Gabriella Cilmi, Amy Winehouse, Adele and Duffy, and would have had a far better chance of finding Paris success than a song with the lyric “I can feel you in my Dau Du Dat.” Uhhh… what?
Let me speak to all those involved in record labels – don’t insult and underestimate your audience. They’re smarter than you think.
May 23, 2008 4:57 pm
I don’t really dig! She’s got some serious ‘bounce’ about her, there’s no doubting that! Hmmm, did you notice that the label has only allowed half of each track as a stream across her Myspace? Shame! I received the initial media release about this ‘next big thing/sexiest thing on earth’ pop star, just last week…… I thought to myself, This record WILL fall between the cracks!
May 23, 2008 11:08 pm
Yeah this track really doesn’t give the best impression compared to her other songs, it’s an odd choice for sure. Thought Grace Baby was a stonger track (or the half I heard at least).
May 25, 2008 8:20 pm
What the fuck is wrong with you guys, the track is a bag of fun and the other tracks clearly show her depth, I can see why you are all internet journo’s, you have no comprehension of the industry. Why don’t you go back to tafe. The song is fun and the Artist is even more fun, whats the matter with a little light hearted dancing and fucking, if it were pop it would be way more clean they are obviosly taking some good risks. Do you really want another imitation of Amy Winehouse, why don’t you all beg Warner for a job. PUSSIES.
May 25, 2008 8:26 pm
This track is a little shallow but the beat is amazing, smells like someone got a case of the Tall Poppies, this is a great step forward in Australian music and you all jump on it like its shit, read the bio, this is an indi producer and someone who is trying something new from the ground up, seems like you all think its 1980 like the label need to fly you out to a press camp to make you feel good about your pathetic existence as people who don’t actually make music. GIVE HER A BREAK THE TRACK IS DOPE.
May 25, 2008 8:28 pm
DAT is another word for PUSSY. WAKE UP MORON
May 26, 2008 4:36 pm
Fun! Go out and buy the ALBUM and let me know how much fun you have, JR!
May 26, 2008 7:25 pm
I was one of the many it appears who was under the mistaken impression that Paris Wells was a boring “pop” star based largely on the hype surrounding her JT support stint etc. and I avoided her until last Thursday in Melbourne when some mutual friends of hers and mine dragged me to the gig. Did anyone say poor marketing . . . ? I don’t know why it seems they want to pigeon hole her as a “pop” star, Paris Wells is no Kylie, she’s absolutely incredible. She has an amazing voice with astounding control, soulful tone and she’s also totally sassy energetic and street. It was like Duffy’s voice on Lady Sovereign or Uffie way edgier than I was expecting. Her set mixed originals with awesome live mash-ups, she danced the entire time and I was well and truly won over! Paris is unreal. nuf’ said.
p.s. I heard a rumour JT runs Sony BMG, can anyone confirm 😉
September 10, 2008 9:34 pm
sexy 8
songs 3
voice 7
lyrics 2
October 12, 2008 9:14 pm
Hey, some of you guys are way too serious…I saw Paris’ Dat du Dat music video…that got me chasing for more. I bought her album b/c of her depth. “Keep It” has some great beats, cool/vibey lyrics, and Paris has a SENSATIONAL voice. She obviously has a lot of depth. Stop arguing about marketing strategies…get out there and support a great artist who has old school style & flexibility…not a packaged pop artist that the Co.’s throw at us. Get over yourselves. She’s quality, the categories shouldn’t matter. Dat du Dat(Porsche’s) and Grace(Mercedes – check out Wildside) are both great songs and reach a range of music tastes (I like both). They’re different, and they’re great. Luv your stuff Paris, keep singing.
February 27, 2009 8:00 pm
paris wells has no talent – get your ears cleaned??!! her sound is old and not original in the slightest way. its been done, and done to death… her lyrics are wanting. if you want a maccas meal for a song, sure go for her stuff. i’ll be off listening to the real music.
September 10, 2010 6:17 am
utter shit. what the fuck is this world coming to?
September 14, 2010 2:50 pm
Paris is my daughter.
This explains the record deals (bro’s label) and the support spots.
December 1, 2013 3:40 pm
Who is Paris Wells I have never heard of her I just know she appeared on Home and Away and had to find out whom she is I bet no one in NZ has heard of her.