Paralandra began in the summer of 2013 when singer/guitarist Casandra Carson and her father, guitarist Paul Carson, wrote a handful of songs for a one-time performance at their local Fourth of July celebration. The response was overwhelming, and the two enjoyed creating and performing together so much that one show quickly became something much bigger.

The band independently recorded and released its debut album, Rise Up, selling more than 1,000 copies at local performances. Bassist Sawyer Rikard joined in 2015, followed by the release of the All Fall Down EP in 2016, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Heatseekers chart. Paralandra soon began touring nationally and earning appearances at festivals including Rocklahoma, Rock Fest, SXSW, Inkcarceration, NAMM, RokIsland Fest, and the KISS Kruise.

In 2018, Paralandra partnered with Legend Recordings to release the Ascension EP. Singles “Back to Life” and “Killer Queen” received national radio airplay and helped introduce the band to a much wider audience. The addition of powerhouse drummer Dakota Watson; Sawyer’s childhood friend, completed the lineup and created the dynamic rhythm section the band had long envisioned.

Paralandra continued its rise with the 2019 single “Love Will Win,” which generated further radio success and led to national touring opportunities alongside artists including Yngwie Malmsteen, Saliva, Tantric, and Dokken.

During the 2020 pandemic, the band continued writing, recording, livestreaming, and connecting with fans around the world. That persistence caught the attention of renowned producer Elvis Baskette, whose credits include Alter Bridge, Mammoth WVH, and Slash. Paralandra entered the studio with Baskette to record its first professionally produced full-length album, Street Magic, released in 2021. The album became a breakthrough for the band, generating millions of views and streams across digital platforms. Its radio singles included “For the Record,” “Despicable,” “Repeat Offender,” “Can’t Quench the Fire,” and “Only Human.”

The momentum continued with extensive headlining tours and performances alongside legendary artists such as Lita Ford, Warrant, FireHouse, Last in Line, Lynch Mob, Vixen, Sevendust, Jackyl, and The Darkness. In 2023, Paralandra reunited with Baskette to record its second full-length album, The Body Electric.

Released in April of 2024, The Body Electric showcased the band’s growth through songs including “Dirty Love,” “Love of My Life,” “Look at Me Now,” and “Give Me a Reason.” Supported by creative music videos, enthusiastic reviews, and relentless touring, the album independently generated more than half a million streams by the end of 2024, without label support or a traditional radio-promotion campaign.

In early 2025, Paralandra joined Lynch Mob as direct support on the band’s Final Ride Tour. Later that year, Paralandra released the seasonal Hallomas EP and continued expanding its audience through headlining performances, festival appearances, and shows with nationally recognized artists.

Outside of Paralandra, Casandra has earned additional recognition as the vocalist for “The L.I.F.E. Project” alongside Stone Sour guitarist Josh Rand. Her work has also included collaborations with legendary guitarist George Lynch “Casandra’s Crossing” and internationally acclaimed guitarist Neil Zaza “One Dark Night”, further demonstrating the power, versatility, and unmistakable character of her voice.

Paul’s musical journey has also come full circle. As a teenager, his first concert was Petra – the band that inspired him to pick up a guitar and became his favorite band. Today, Paul plays guitar for Classic Petra Resurrection, sharing the stage with the original members whose music first sparked his passion decades ago.

More than a decade after its unexpected beginning, Paralandra remains proudly independent and driven by the same family bond, creative chemistry, and love of performing that started it all. With a growing catalog, millions of streams, multiple chart-topping radio singles, and an intensely loyal fanbase, Paralandra continues proving that its biggest chapter is still ahead.