The Parlotones

Tags: indie rock , south african , indie

From their origins in Johannesburg, South Africa, The Parlotones have achieved multi- platinum-selling status in their home country, selling more records than Coldplay, The Killers and Oasis together. In 2010, The rock 4-piece completed a sold-out 300-date, 18 month world tour which brought The Parlotones to the attention of music fans in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, France, Italy, Spain, Benelux, Russia, the US and the UK – where they packed out 1000+ capacity venues by word of mouth alone. In 2011, they have started to conquer North America, selling out New York, Chicago, Vancouver, Seattle, San Francisco, and Los Angeles on their first ever North American headlining tour. The Boston Herald declared “The Parlotones could be huge here. Killers Huge. Muse Huge. Coldplay Huge.”

The band’s achievements over the last several years demonstrate the universal appeal of the band’s darkly romantic lyrics and anthemic songs. In 2009, The Parlotones became the first South African band ever to sell out the Coca Cola Dome in Johannesburg, a 13,000 capacity venue. They played the 2009 Presidential Inauguration, Africa Day, and Live Earth. In 2010, they were gracious hosts at the World Cup, headlining the World Cup Kickoff concert with Shakira, The Black Eyed Peas, and Alicia Keys. In the fall of 2010, their latest release, Stardust Galaxies, hit #13 on Billboard’s Alternative New Artist Chart and spent several weeks in the Billboard’s Indie Top 200. In November, they proved that they’re not just hometown favorites, selling out world-renowned venue Shepherd’s Bush Empire in London.

Over the course of their three full length releases since their conception in 1998, the band have enjoyed 15 top 10 hits in South Africa. Music industry showcases at South by South West, MIDEM and Dubai Sound City followed and have firmly established The Parlotones as one of the world’s most exciting new acts. Their music has been made available through Sony Ericsson phones and they have their own branded laptop. More recently, their music has been heard in “Jersey Shore”, “I Used To Be Fat”, “Pretty Little Liars” and “One Tree Hill. “

Their success is not limited to their music alone – the band have their own brand of wine ‘Giant Mistake’ which has earned the band a no.1 in the Sunday Times wine list and distribution through major European retailers. They followed up Giant Mistake with a white wine called “Push Me To The Floor” and a rose called “We Call This Dancing. The Parlotones wines will be available in the United States late in 2011.

Genre: Melodic Indie Rock
Origin: Johannesburg, South Africa
Official Band Website: www.parlotones.co.za, www.the-parlotones.com
MySpace site: www.myspace.com/theparlotones
Management Website: www.sovent.co.za

Band Members:
Kahn Morbee (vocals, guitar), Glenn Hodgson (bass, piano, backing vocals), Paul Hodgson (guitar) and Neil Pauw (Drums)

Key acknowledgements include:

- South African Music Awards 2006 - Best Rock Album
- You Awards 2007 - Best Band
- FHM Readers Choice 2007
- MK Awards 2007 - Best Video
- Resfest 2007 Best Video (nomination)
- People’s Choice Awards 2008 - Best Music Act
- Best Band Award – Caxton’s best of JHB
- Loerie Kraft Award 2008 (first time a music video has won at the Loeries)
- MTV Africa 2008 – Best Group nomination
- MTV Africa 2008 – Best Alternative nomination
- MK Awards 2009 – Best Video
- MK Awards 2009 – Best Animation
- MK Awards 2009 – Best Serenade
- SAMA Awards 2009 –MTN Record of the year (nomination)
- SAMA Awards 2009 – Best Global Chart DVD (nomination)
- SAMA Awards 2009 – Best Music Video Of The Year
- International Song-writing Competition (ISC) 2008 Music Video (first place)
- International Song-writing Competition (ISC) 2008 Performance (second place)
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The Parlotones' latest album is already platinum in South Africa and is available worldwide.

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