The Parlotones

The Parlotones
Background information
Origin Johannesburg, South Africa
Genres Indie rock, new wave, post-punk
Years active 1998 – Present
Labels Universal Music, Sovereign Entertainment
Website http://www.wearetheparlotones.com
Members Kahn Morbee
Neil Pauw
Glenn Hodgson
Paul Hodgson

The Parlotones are a rock band from Johannesburg, South Africa. They have achieved multiplatinum-selling status in their home country. The band started in 1998.[1] The band is known for the face make-up worn by lead singer Kahn Morbee.[2]

Kahn Morbee (2010)
Neil Pauw (2010)
Paul Hodgson (2010)
Glenn Hodgson (2010)

History

In October 2003, the Parlotones self-released their debut album, Episoda. The first album to reach mainstream success was their second release, Radiocontrolledrobot through Sovereign Entertainment, which came out in July 2005[3] and won the "Best Rock Album" award at the 2006 South African Music Awards.[4] The ballad "Beautiful" was used in an Irish Fujifilm television commercial, which led to a European licence deal with Universal Music.[5] The album achieved Gold status in 2007. Their next album, A World Next Door to Yours, was released in September 2007;[3] and became biggest-selling South African rock album of that decade. [6] [7]

They are spokespersons for both Live Earth and Earth Hour, along with Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, Prince Charles, and Rihanna. [8] [9] [10] [11]

The Parlotones' video to the single "Life Design" was added on MTV Europe. [12]

In 2009 the Parlotones played the Midem Talent Showcase in Cannes, France, where they met the American band Blue October. The Parlotones were subsequently invited to play their first US tour as the opening act on Blue October's Pick Up the Phone Tour for their Approaching Normal album. The matchup proved successful and the Parlotones have gone on to play several more US tours as headliners.

The band performed at the 2010 FIFA World Cup Kick-Off Celebration concert along with Black Eyed Peas, Alicia Keys, and Shakira.

The Parlotones also recorded a song with the lead singer of Freshlyground, Zolani Mahola, called Stardust Galaxies.

The Parlotones staged an original rock theatre production, Dragonflies and Astronauts, which was broadcast live around the world in 3D via DIRECTV and in 2D on Facebook. The 3D broadcast was so well received in the United States that the satellite provider scheduled 100 re-airings, while more than half of the worldwide viewership on Facebook was from the US. Dragonflies and Astronauts featured songs from the band’s catalogue, including 16 songs that were Top 40 hits in South Africa.

Their song "Rock Paper Scissors", featured on the popular American TV series One Tree Hill.[13]

In October 2011, The Parlotones were the opening act for the Cape Town and Johannesburg concerts of Coldplay's tour to South Africa.[14]

In September 2012, it was announced that the band was moving to Los Angeles, California. [15] [16] [17]

In 2013 The Parlotones' manager Raphael Domalik released a book called The Parlotones "Sold Out!". It narrates the trials and tribulations, according to Raphael, of the rise of the South African super group and is a retelling of what it took for the band to get where they are from a management perspective. [18]

After 12 successful years alongside record/management label, Sovereign Entertainment, The Parlotones officially announced their departure from the record label on 10 July 2014. [19]

Awards

Nominations

Europe, Asia & MTV

Wine Brand

On 16 September 2009, The Parlotones together with Hands on Wine[25] released a red wine, "Giant Mistake", named after their single from the album, A World Next Door to Yours. The wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (54%), Shiraz (23%), Pinotage (12%), and Cabernet Franc (11%).[26]

In April 2010 a white wine, "Push Me to the Floor", was released, named after their single from the album Stardust Galaxies. The wine is a blend of Chenin blanc (60%), Gewürztraminer (15%), Chardonnay (20%,) and Viognier (5%).[27]

On 5 October 2010 a rosé, "We Call This Dancing", was released, named after the song from Stardust Galaxies. The wine is a blend of Wellington Pinotage (55%), Wellington Shiraz (25%), and a balance — a blend of 30 different varietals from the Upper Hemel-en-Aarde Valley near Hermanus (20%).[28]

Band members

Discography

Studio Albums

EPs

Live Albums

Compilations

Single CDs

Promo CDs

Media CDs

Vinyl

DVD (Song Videos)

Other CDs/DVDs

References

  1. ↑ "The Parlotones Sign Worldwide Deal With Universal Music". Pressportal.co.za. Retrieved 2012-08-15.
  2. ↑ "The Parlotones : Biografia". Spirit of Rock. 2009-09-16. Retrieved 2012-08-15.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "The Parlotones - Discography".
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 "The Parlotones: 8th Annual Program – Pop/Rock Song IMA Nominee / Video IMA Nominee". MUSIC RESOURCE GROUP LLC. Key acknowledgements include Best Rock Album 2006 at South African Music Awards, Best Music Act – People’s Choice Awards 2008, Best Band – You Awards 2007, FHM Readers Choice 2007, Best Video MK Awards 2007, Best Video nomination Resfest 2007.
  5. ↑ The Parlotones Bio, www.mtv.com, Retrieved
  6. ↑ "The Parlotones: South African Rock Hits the US". The Huffington Post. 17 January 2013. Retrieved 15 October 2014.
  7. ↑ "The Parlotones official website". Retrieved 15 October 2014.
  8. ↑ "Live Earth South Africa in Johannesburg 15-October-2014". Retrieved 15 October 2014.
  9. ↑ "Parlotones: goodbyes, Grammys then US tour". Retrieved 15 October 2014.
  10. ↑ "Artslink.co.za - The Parlotones - a rocking good time". Artslink. Retrieved 15 October 2014.
  11. ↑ SABC. "SABC News - Parlotones get ready for SA farewell tour :Monday 26 November 2012". Retrieved 15 October 2014.
  12. ↑ "Parlotones single, a hit in Europe". Retrieved 15 October 2014.
  13. ↑ "One Tree Hill Music". One Tree Hill Web. Retrieved 9 March 2012.
  14. ↑ Slender Fungus (2011-10-05). "News - The Parlotones interview". Coldplay. Retrieved 2012-08-15.
  15. ↑ "The Parlotones moving to Los Angeles". Channel. Retrieved 15 October 2014.
  16. ↑ "The Parlotones are set to relocate to America :: Media Update". Retrieved 15 October 2014.
  17. ↑ "The Parlotones Are Moving To America - Rolling Stone South Africa". Retrieved 15 October 2014.
  18. ↑ "NEW BOOK CHRONICALS THE RISE OF THE PARLOTONES OUT MID NOVEMBER". The Parlotones. Retrieved 15 October 2014.
  19. ↑ "THE PARLOTONES PART WAYS WITH RECORD LABEL". The Parlotones. Retrieved 15 October 2014.
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 "International Songwriting Competition Previous Winners". 2012 International Songwriting Competition. Retrieved 9 March 2012.
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 "South Africa Music Awards 2009 nominees". Retrieved 9 March 2012.
  22. ↑ "South African Music Awards 2009 Winners". Retrieved 9 March 2012.
  23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 "2010 SAMA Winners". 24.com. Retrieved 9 March 2012.
  24. ↑ "Mafikizolo, Uhuru, Davido lead nominations for MTV Africa Music Awards". Sowetan LIVE. Retrieved 2014-04-17.
  25. ↑ "Hands on Wine | Finding the rock stars of the wine industry. Woolworths SA supports Hands on Wine". Handsonwine.net. Retrieved 2012-08-15.
  26. ↑ Kavita (2010-08-10). "Giant Mistake 2008". The Parlotones Wine. Retrieved 2012-08-15.
  27. ↑ "Push Me To The Floor 2010". The Parlotones Wine. Retrieved 2012-08-15.
  28. ↑ "We Call this dancing 2010". The Parlotones Wine. Retrieved 2012-08-15.
  29. ↑ "Parlotones To ‘Journey Through The Shadows’". Pollstar. 2011-10-16. Retrieved 2012-08-15.

External links