Parralox

Parralox is an Australian synthpop band formed by John von Ahlen in 2008. Originally featuring lead vocalist Rowena "Roxy" Martin and producer, songwriter John von Ahlen of dance act Nova; the band has undergone a number of line-up changes, most notably the replacement of lead vocalist Roxy with Amii Jackson and the addition of The Human League's Ian Burden on bass guitar.

For the episode of the television series Absolutely Fabulous, see Absolutely Fabulous (series 4).
Parralox
OriginMelbourne, Australia
Genres
Years active2008 (2008)–present
LabelsSubterrane, Conzoom
Associated acts
Websiteparralox.com
Members
  • John von Ahlen
  • Johanna Gervin
Past members
  • Rowena "Roxy" Martin
  • Ian Burden
  • Francine Ihenacho
  • Amii Jackson
  • Ryan Adamés

Their debut single "I Fell in Love with a Drum Machine" released February 2008, caught the attention of the international EDM community propelling the duo from local to international prominence.[1] In 2009, Parralox remixed Swedish electronica artist Emmon's "Lips on Fire" single earning the band an official release on Wonderland Records.[2] Parralox digitally distribute their music through independent label Subterrane Records; in 2009 the band signed to German electro label, Conzoom Records. Parralox have gained support and acclaim from Perez Hilton and veteran music blogger, Arjan Writes.[3][4]

The band have released 7 albums, 4 EPs and 13 singles. They have performed internationally in Germany, Sweden, Spain, US and England.

History

Background

As a child, John von Ahlen explored music, taking up both the saxophone and clarinet; by high school his focus had switched to piano and synthesisers. In 1993, von Ahlen teamed with international songwriter John Collins and Grammy nominee Gina G together contributing songs to Bass Culture's BC Nation album, soon signed to Michael Gudinski's Mushroom Records.[5] The label's affiliation with popular Australian soap operas Neighbours and Home and Away facilitated the Collins/von Ahlen penned, "Love Will Find A Way" featuring Susie Ahern appearing in a 1995 Neighbours' episode, aired on Network Ten.[6][7][8] Von Ahlen, would produce and write with a number of bands including dance act Nova (1992–1996), electronic band, Discotron (1995–1998) and steampunk, goth cabaret-pop outfit, The Tenth Stage (2006) before forming Parralox in 2008.[9]

Formation

Originally introduced to Roxy by John Collins, von Ahlen enlisted the classically trained vocalist to join him on the Parralox project in 2007.[10] The pair had been working together since their 2004 win at the coveted MusicOz Awards, where Roxy won Best Dance Artist with the duo's "Electric Nights" entry.[11][12] Splitting her time between Australia and the UK, singer/songwriter Roxy became the band's first lead vocalist.

2008–2009: Electricity and State of Decay

In August 2008, Parralox released their debut album Electricity; made available for digital download and accompanied by the special edition CD version Electricity (Limited Edition), the album achieved the sixth-highest position atop the British alternative music store, MusicNonStop.co.uk sales chart.[13] By November 2008, the band were performing overseas in London alongside Northern Kind and Red Blooded Women.[12][14] Electricity spawned the songs "Sharper Than a Knife" and "X Minus One"; the latter licensed to Nick Bitzenis and George Geranios' Athens based, Undo Records/EMI Greece's compilation album of new electronic pop music, Electronically Yours Vol 1.[15] The band's growing popularity was confirmed when Hollywood gossip columnist Perez Hilton championed the band's first US single, "Sharper Than a Knife".[1][3]

The successful independent release of Electricity led to the band signing with German label, Conzoom Records in 2009. A change of line up that same year saw Roxy replaced by Amii Jackson on vocals and the addition of The Human League's Ian Burden on bass guitar. The daughter of Brian Jackson, lead guitarist for Scottish punk band The Zips, Amii recorded on four of the band's following seven albums, beginning with State of Decay released 13 November 2009.[16][17]

2010–2013: Metropolis, Metropolism and Recovery

Between 2010 and 2013, Parralox released 3 albums, Metropolis (2010), Metropolism (2011) and Recovery (2013). This marked a period of growth and expansion for the band; in an AusPop.com.au review of Metropolis the site expressed that "Parralox have ever so slowly been developing into a pop act that excites with each and every release".[18] The band toured both at home and abroad performing at Infest, UK (2010), Electrocity Festival, Germany (2010), Electronic Summer, Sweden (2012), Poptronik Festival, Spain (2012) and Midsumma Festival, Melbourne (2013). In May 2012, the band's single "Creep" peaked at No. 45 on the US Billboard Dance/Club chart.[19] In 2013, von Ahlen spoke as an invited EDM panellist at The Winter Music Conference, Miami; this same year, London based EQ Music launched its new artist management arm and signed the "electronic pop duo".[20][21][22]

“Eye in the Sky", the second single from Recovery is a cover of The Alan Parsons Project's 1982 song of the same name.[23] QueerMeUp.com called the song a Pulitzer Prize worthy piece of poetry.[23] The song's visuals were co-directed by John Ibrahim and lead singer von Ahlen with "the modern new face of Chadwick Models", high fashion model Rowena Xi Kang.[24][25][26]

2014–present: Aeronaut and Subculture

In February 2014, Parralox released their “Eye In The Sky” EP securing the band’s seventh German chart position.[27] In July 2014, they released "Crying on the Dance Floor" featuring new vocalist Johanna Gervin and Francine Ihenacho as guest vocalist.[22] The single climbed to No. 6 on Music Week's Commercial Pop Chart.[28][29] On 6 October, Erasure announced their London performance dates dubbed The Violet Flame Tour with support from Parralox.[30][31][32] On 31 October 2014, Parralox released their sixth album, a limited 2CD re-release of Electricity titled Electricity (Expanded).

On 3 April 2015, Parralox released the band's seventh official album Aeronaut which positioned John von Ahlen on lead vocals for the second time in the band's career, this according to LexerMusic.com, marks a new era for the electronic pop act.[33][34] The video accompanying the album's lead single "Aeronaut", is shot on location in Paris and is a follow-up collaboration between von Ahlen and creative director John Ibrahim who previously worked on their "Eye in the Sky" video.[18][35]

On 10 March 2015, Parralox's German label, Conzoom announced an eighth studio album from the band, then due for release end of 2015, titled Subculture.[36]

Touring

Parralox have performed live at various festivals including Infest, Winter Music Conference, Silicon Dreams, Synthetic City, Poptronik, Midsumma Festival and Pride Festival, Melbourne.[17][37][38][39] They have also played support slots for Erasure and Polly Scattergood in London.[31][40]

Band members

Current members
  • John von Ahlen – synthesisers, vocals (2008–present)
  • Johanna Gervin – backing vocals (2014–present)

Former members

(partial list)

  • Rowena "Roxy" Martin – lead vocals (2008–2009)
  • Amii Jackson – lead vocals (2009–2013)
  • Ian Burden – bass guitar (2009–2014)
  • Ryan Adamés – lead vocals (guest 2012)
  • Francine Ihenacho – lead vocals (guest 2014)

Discography
Main article: Parralox discography

Studio albums
  • Electricity (2008)
  • State of Decay (2009)
  • Metropolis (2010)
  • Metropolism (2011)
  • Recovery (2013)
  • Electricity (Expanded) (2014)
  • Aeronaut (2015)
  • Subculture (2017)

References
  1. Poet, J. (February 2013). "Parralox". SomaMagazine.com. Retrieved 7 May 2015.
  2. Eliasson, Tobias (12 June 2009). "Spotlight Parralox". ReleaseMagazine.net. Retrieved 7 May 2015. it was the remix from Parralox that stood out the most and won
  3. "Listen To This: It Cuts!". PerezHilton.com. 11 February 2009. Retrieved 7 May 2015. Their name is Parralox and we LOVE them!!!!!!
  4. Writes, Arjan. "Video Premiere: Parralox featuring Ryan Adamés 'Silent Morning' [First Look]". ArjanWrites.com. Retrieved 7 May 2015. It's a synth gem that I'm sure '80s aficionados everywhere will be salivating over
  5. "Bass Culture – BC Nation". discogs. Retrieved 9 May 2015.
  6. "Episode title: 2521". Neighboursepisodes.com. Retrieved 9 May 2015.
  7. "Bass Culture Featuring Susie Ahern – Love Will Find A Way". discogs. Retrieved 9 May 2015.
  8. Royalty Statement, APRA, 2010, p. 3
  9. "Parralox – Pop Trash Interview". PopTrashAddicts.blogspot.co.uk. 16 April 2010. Retrieved 8 May 2015.
  10. "Artist: Parralox". Billboard. Retrieved 9 May 2015.
  11. "MusicOz awards time again". TheDwarf.com.au. 28 June 2005. Retrieved 10 May 2015. Melbourne-born singer-songwriter Rowena was awarded 'Best Dance Artist 2004' at 'The Musicoz Awards' in December.
  12. Moscatt, Elena. "Music: Parralox". FilmFest.com. Retrieved 8 May 2015.
  13. "MNS New Year 2009". Music Non Stop (newsletter). MusicNonStop.co.uk. 2 January 2009. Archived from the original on 6 January 2012. Retrieved 10 May 2015.
  14. "Charting information". Parralox.com. Retrieved 9 May 2015.
  15. "Various – Electronically Yours". discogs. Retrieved 8 May 2015.
  16. Sward, Jamie (12 January 2010). "Hot Electro Pop: Parralox". MusicIsMyKingSizeBed.com. Retrieved 8 May 2015.
  17. De Jonk, Travis. "State of Parralox". SameSame.com. Archived from the original on 22 May 2015. Retrieved 8 May 2015. they played as headliner at Melbourne's gay and lesbian Pride March event, to huge acclaim.
  18. "PARRALOX ALBUM". AusPop.com.au. 27 September 2010. Retrieved 8 May 2015.
  19. "Parralox: Chart History: Dance Club Songs". Billboard. 12 May 2012. Retrieved 9 May 2015.
  20. "WMC 2013 SCHEDULE". WinterMusicConference.com. Retrieved 8 May 2015.
  21. "About Us". EQMusicBlog.com. Retrieved 8 May 2015.
  22. "Electronic-Pop Band, Parralox Releases New Single "Crying on the Dancefloor"". Top40-Charts.com. 2 July 2014. Retrieved 8 May 2015.
  23. "Parralox Sets Their Sights High With 'Eye in the Sky'". QueerMeUp.com. Retrieved 8 May 2015.
  24. "ROWENA XI KANG". TheFashionSpot.com. Retrieved 8 May 2015. An extremely modern new face at Chadwick Models Sydney. Her stare is killer.
  25. "ROWENA XI KANG". ChadwickModels.com. Retrieved 8 May 2015.
  26. "Eye in the Sky by Parralox". IndieMinded.com. 28 November 2013. Retrieved 8 May 2015. singer John von Ahlen and fashion model Rowena Kang, exhibit the hauntingly beautiful essence of the track
  27. "Top 15 Tracks" (PDF). GEWC.de. 16 February 2014. Archived from the original (PDF) on 13 June 2015. Retrieved 8 May 2015.
  28. "MUSIC WEEK CLUB & POP CHART & COOL CUTS NEWS 05-09-14". Power.co.uk. 5 September 2014. Retrieved 8 May 2015.
  29. "Parralox's "Crying on the Dancefloor" Charts in UK". Blog.lafamos.com. 5 September 2014. Retrieved 9 May 2015.
  30. "THE VIOLET FLAME TOUR – LONDON SUPPORT ACTS". ErasureInfo.com. 6 October 2014. Retrieved 8 May 2015.
  31. Stevens, Ben (29 November 2014). "London: Parralox supporting Erasure @ The Forum". EnglandEvents.co.uk. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 8 May 2015. Parralox are official support act for Erasure.
  32. Justkellerman (7 October 2014). "PARRALOX SUPPORTS ERASURE IN LONDON / ELECTRICITY EXPANDED IN NOVEMBER". MetalBashing.com. Retrieved 8 May 2015. Parralox, will be supporting legendary* synthpop duo Erasure in London on December 15th, 2014
  33. "Parralox – Aeronaut". Parralox.com. Retrieved 8 May 2015.
  34. "Parralox – Aeronaut (Limited Edition) – (EP CD Single)". Shop.lexermusic.com. Retrieved 10 May 2015. Parralox present their brand new single 'Aeronaut', marking a new era for this exciting Melbourne based electronic pop act.
  35. "PARRALOX REVEAL THE VIDEO FOR THEIR NEW SINGLE 'AERONAUT' // PARRALOX". BillsPR.com. 7 April 2015. Retrieved 8 May 2015.
  36. "PARRALOX ARE BACK WITH A NEW EP!". ConzoomRecords.com. 10 March 2015. Retrieved 10 May 2015.
  37. Dyer, Rob. "Infest 2010". DSO.co.uk. Retrieved 8 May 2015.
  38. "MIDSUMMA CARNIVAL 2013". StarObserver.com.au. 10 January 2013. Retrieved 9 May 2015.
  39. "Poptronik Festival 2012". Festicket.com. Retrieved 8 May 2015.
  40. Ming Lai, Chi (9 February 2014). "POLLY SCATTERGOOD + PARRALOX Live at the Workshop". Electricity-Club.co.uk. Retrieved 8 May 2015.
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