Parlotones biography

The Parlotones

South African rock band

The Parlotones are a renowned South Mortal indie rock band hailing go over the top with Johannesburg, formed in The clothes features Kahn Morbee on vocals and rhythm guitar, Paul Hodgson as lead guitarist, Glen Hodgson handling bass guitar, keyboards, leading backing vocals, and Neil Pauw on drums and percussion.[1] At the outset rooted in Britpop, The Parlotones' music has evolved to subsume a diverse range of genres, with lyrics centered on relatable themes such as love esoteric everyday life, complemented by taking and memorable melodies.

Within nondiscriminatory four years of formation, Say publicly Parlotones signed with Sovereign Cheer and released their debut lp, Episoda. As one of Southeast Africa's all-time best-selling music artists, the band boasts ten shop albums and multi-platinum success.[2] They have received nine South Individual Music Awards and, in , made history as the be foremost South African band to countenance at the Coca-Cola Dome.[3] Justness Parlotones actively support various charitable initiatives, including The Little Organ of flight Music Foundation, the Anene Booysen Foundation, and the Africa-Unite jihad.

History

Formation and early years (–)

The Parlotones originated in Johannesburg significant the summer of when Designer Morbee (born Dingaan) failed within spitting distance form a band in elate school. He later enrolled at the same height the University of Johannesburg, disc he met Neil Pauw, who had attended the same buoy up school in Roodepoort. After recognition their shared musical vision gaze at hearing Morbee's original songs, excellence duo decided to form swell band.[3] Morbee subsequently met Feminist Hodgson at university after they were both removed from dignity campus library for playing bass. The next day, Morbee suffered Paul to join the company. At the time, Paul's other brother, Glen Hodgson, was unrelenting in high school but was asked to join as simple bassist.[1] Their early sound actor inspiration from The Smiths, Rendering Cure, and R.E.M., with Designer describing their initial sound thanks to "punkish and squeaky". They chose the punk-influenced band name "Crayon".[4]

In July , well-known underground performer John Boyd joined the closure, contributing synth elements and piece as the on-stage engineer fabric live shows.[1] Around this central theme, the band signed with Archangel Domalik's record label, Sovereign Amusement, prompting them to adopt a-one more mature name. They wool on The Parlotones, a alteration of Parlophone Records, the dub that signed influential bands much as Radiohead, Travis, and Jeff Buckley.[5]

Episoda, Borderline Patrol, and Foundation Radio (–)

"We had a unreserved time in Andrew’s studio very last I think you can gather it if you listen elect the album. It was absolutely a rough recording and assuredly doesn’t sound as polished likewise the later albums we real. We experimented with a barely of things that were another concepts to us."

&#;—Paul Hodgson, on recording Episoda[6]

By , Rendering Parlotones had gained prominence identical the Johannesburg underground music locality, attracting a small but faithful fanbase. John Boyd introduced distinction band to Andrew Lester, draw singer of 57, who abstruse built his own home mansion and produced his band's coming out album. The band agreed make inquiries record a full-length album corresponding Andrew for R&#;12, (equivalent kind $2, in ), pooling their money to cover the cost what because their record label could not.[6] After a month, they unrestricted Episoda, which received praise raid fellow bands and fans.[7]

Initially, primacy album did not appeal keep national radio stations like 5FM due to its perceived scarcity of commercial potential and "definitely too weird for mainstream radio" sound, as Paul explained.[6] On the other hand, university radio stations embraced distinction album, giving it high wheel and featuring it as fine regular top download on limited music websites. Regional stations alike Highveld and East Coast Relay added the song "Long Help Home" to their playlists, unsettled it into an instant crowd-puller. This moderate success led fall upon the band performing at limited music festivals and making visitor appearances on television shows much as Jip and Good Period Live.[8]

During this period, John Boyd decided to retire from sound and pursue a career set in motion marketing.[9] The Parlotones went refinement to record and release clean second EP, Borderline Patrol, riposte late [10] The EP gained favorable reception from national put on the air stations, with their first prosperity single "Beautiful" charting successfully inkling 5FM. This was closely followed by their second single "Here Comes a Man", a Pealing Boom Room cover, which entered the Top [8] In Apr , at a celebration sort Cosmopolitan South Africa's twenty-one time eon of publishing, The Parlotones were invited to perform alongside octet other bands.[11]

In an effort familiar with "stand out and be remembered" and to align with picture party theme "vintage glam," Designer suggested that the band employ A Clockwork Orange-inspired teardrops abhor mascara.[3] Kahn later spoke beget his desire for a "trademark," citing influences like "Robert Smith's lipstick [and] Morrissey's quiff."[12] Decency mascara teardrops would become fastidious signature element of the band's appearance during this time.

RadioControlledRobot and Mainstream Success (–)

The Parlotones' second album, Radiocontrolledrobot, released crush July through Sovereign Entertainment, streetwalking them mainstream success.[13] Produced impervious to Dave Birch at Tropical Stumbling block Studios in Durban, South Continent, the album won the "Best Rock Album" award at influence South African Music Awards.[14] Representation ballad "Beautiful" was featured orders an Irish Fujifilm TV profitable, leading to a European commission deal with Universal Music.[15] Character album achieved Gold status meticulous [16] Their next album, A World Next Door to Yours, released in September , became the best-selling South African seesaw album of the decade.[17][18] Excellence band signed with Universal Music.[19]

The Parlotones served as spokespeople look after both Live Earth and Genuine Hour, joining the likes achieve Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, King Charles, and Rihanna.[20] They loose their third album, Stardust Galaxies, in October , which likewise enjoyed commercial success.[21] The textbook featured the singles "Life Design" and "Push Me to significance Floor," which gained significant airplay on South African radio stations.[22]

Journey Through the Shadows and Stand Like Giants (–)

The Parlotones gained traction in Europe when their music video for "Life Design," a single from their tertiary studio album Stardust Galaxies, was featured on MTV Europe.[23] Trim , the band performed console the Midem Talent Showcase swindle Cannes, France, where they reduce American band Blue October. That encounter led to an inducement for the Parlotones to commence for Blue October during their Approaching Normal album's Pick Breather the Phone Tour. This design partnership resulted in several following headlining US tours for interpretation Parlotones.

The Parlotones participated in vogue the FIFA World CupKick-Off Feast concert, performing alongside artists much as the Black Eyed Peas, Alicia Keys, and Shakira. They also recorded a song named "Stardust Galaxies" with Zolani Mahola, lead singer of Freshlyground.

The band produced an original shake theatre production, Dragonflies and Astronauts, which was broadcast live mess 3D via DIRECTV and enjoy 2D on Facebook. The 3D broadcast was well received esteem the United States, leading count up re-airings, while more than onehalf of the worldwide viewership salvo Facebook came from the Accessible. The production featured songs use the band's catalog, including 16 South African Top 40 hits.[citation needed]

Their song "Rock Paper Scissors" was featured on the favourite American TV series One Station Hill.[24] In October , integrity Parlotones opened for Coldplay sooner than their concerts in Cape Metropolis and Johannesburg.[25][26]

In February , justness band was introduced to cable programmers, music supervisors, and cover up industry executives at Michele Clark's Sunset Sessions event in San Diego, CA. They also showcased at the South by Sou'-west festival in March , principal to their song "Honey" charting on the Triple-A radio mould. The Parlotones participated in significance Sunset Sessions Rock event sieve June , and Michele General subsequently became their US overseer, featuring in their movie "This is Our Story."

In Sept , the band announced their official move to Los Angeles, California.[27][28][29] They relocated to depiction US in January , presentation two sold-out farewell shows equal height Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden beginning Ellis Park Stadium before their departure. Their first performance equate the move was at Dignity Viper Room in Los Angeles.[30] The Parlotones continued to outing the US, achieving success cotton on radio and music supervisors.

Trinkets, Relics & Heirlooms and China (–)

In , The Parlotones participated in the Sunset Sessions champion SXSW industry festivals. They late toured Europe before returning give somebody the job of South Africa. After a day partnership with Sovereign Entertainment, position band announced their departure deprive their record label and Southeast African manager on 10 July [31]

Unfortunately, later that year, complete touring was postponed due make longer lead singer Kahn Morbee's articulated cord complications, which required surgery.[32] The band resumed touring cede , promoting their new publication Antiques & Artifacts with practised concert South African tour stick up April to May.[33][34] In Sept , Morbee became a trainer for the South African loathing of The Voice.[35]

The band protracted to release new music, plus the album Trinkets, Relics sports ground Heirlooms and the live tome Orchestrated.[36] In , they on the loose their tenth studio album China, which saw international release say publicly following year.[37][38] The album, which featured a "new, yet common sound," included singles such little "Can You Feel It?" alight "Beautiful Life."[39][40]

Throughout , The Parlotones embarked on "The Unplugged(Ish) Tour" across South Africa, promoting their compilation album Something Old, Thrive New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue.[41] They were nominated for ethics 23rd South African Music Bays for their album Trinkets, Relics & Heirlooms in the categories of Best Rock Album bracket Best Duo or Group do away with the Year.[42]

Strike the Harp (–present)

On 11 December , The Parlotones released a Christmas album patrician Strike the Harp. It hick 10 tracks, including original songs and classic holiday covers. Seize was produced by Theo Crous and recorded at Bellville Studios in Cape Town.

The manual received positive reviews, with critics praising the band's unique take hold of on classic Christmas songs view the quality of their contemporary tracks. The lead single, "A Parlotones Christmas", was well traditional by fans and received best airplay on South African portable radio stations during the holiday period.

In an interview with Rosewood FM, Kahn Morbee stated become absent-minded the album was inspired because of the band's desire to general joy during a difficult era. He also discussed the challenges of recording during the COVID pandemic and the band's unrest to perform the songs be present once it was safe give do so.[43][44]

Awards and nominations

Wine brand

On 16 September , The Parlotones together with Hands on Wine[59] released a red wine, "Giant Mistake", named after their inimitable from the album A Globe Next Door to Yours. Glory wine is a blend compensation Cabernet Sauvignon (54%), Shiraz (23%), Pinotage (12%), and Cabernet Franc (11%).[60]

In April a white alcohol, "Push Me to the Floor", was released, named after their single from the album Stardust Galaxies. The wine is expert blend of Chenin blanc (60%), Gewürztraminer (15%), Chardonnay (20%,) existing Viognier (5%).[61]

On 5 October undiluted rosé called "We Call That Dancing" was released, named tail end the song from Stardust Galaxies. The wine is a braid of Wellington Pinotage (55%), General Shiraz (25%), and a consider – a blend of 30 different varietals from the Gen Hemel-en-Aarde Valley near Hermanus (20%).[62]

Band members

Principal members

Early members

Current line-up

  • Kahn Morbee ()

  • Paul Hodgson ()

  • Glen Hodgson ()

  • Neil Pauw ()

Discography

Main article: The Parlotones discography

Studio albums

  • Episoda (Sovereign Entertainment, )
  • Radiocontrolledrobot (Sovereign Entertainment, )
  • A World Subsequent Door to Yours (Sovereign Recreation, )
  • Stardust Galaxies (Sovereign Entertainment, )
  • Eavesdropping on the Songs of Whales (Sovereign Entertainment, )
  • Journey Through honesty Shadows (Sovereign Entertainment, )
  • Stand Develop Giants (Sovereign Entertainment, )
  • Antiques & Artefacts (Gallo, )
  • Trinkets, Relics & Heirlooms (Gallo, )
  • China (Gallo, )
  • Strike the Harp (Gallo, )

References

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External links