One of South Africa’s most successful rock bands, The Parlotones, has reconsidered its decision to move to Los Angeles, USA, in favour of a more local setting.
Speaking after his solo show at The Barnyard Theatre Cresta on 26 June, Kahn Morbee (36), who is lead singer for the multiple-award-winning rock band, revealed the group’s decision to remain in Johannesburg.
Morbee will remain in his Ferndale abode, and drummer Neil Pauw will do likewise in Sundowner.
Their reason for the change of heart: “Joburg is home, the world is our playground.”
The band intends to still tour the states, but will be based here in the city of gold.
Ward 104 councillor Mike Wood, who is responsible for Ferndale, was ecstatic after hearing the decision.
“I am absolutely delighted they are staying,” he said.
“It is good for South Africa and good for Ferndale. I encourage young people in Ferndale to buy their records. I do not know Kahn Morbee but I would like to meet him and have a beer with him.”
The Parlotones, who had won two South African Music Awards in 2006 and 2007, played at the 2010 Fifa World Cup opening ceremony and at thousands of shows around the world.
They initially sought to move to Los Angeles “to focus on the American market and give it the attention required to truly make an impact and achieve the results they have enjoyed in other territories,” the group said on their official website.
“Music around the world is in a flux and the same, only size differs,” Morbee said.
“Music is an industry that has been forever changed by technology and the internet, thousands of musos doing it on their own, traditional labels floundering, people are really unsure of the future of music. There will however, be people who love creating music and people who love consuming music, no matter where you are in the world.”
Morbee is also performing as ‘Kahn’, a solo project.
Kahn started his show at Cresta with mellow pieces on acoustic and slowly lifted the mood with soft rock on electric guitar.
He told jokes in between his pieces and related his fascination with Greek mythology and Cupid.
The crowd adored him, captivated during each piece and they roared an applause after each song.
He will release his music on iTunes and a solo album in October.
The Parlotones will perform at The Barnyard Theatre Cresta on 6 August and Kahn will perform at the venue again in October.
