Born and raised on the north coast of Kwa-Zulu Natal (South Africa), singer songwriter Farryl Purkiss’s music is captivating, emotive and memorable. His debut release, “Chapter One”, a self financed project, was recorded in collaboration with Nibs van der Spuy, and released with the assistance of Sheer Sound. The album received an SA Music Awards nomination for “Best Adult Contemporary”
Apart from a heavy touring schedule which has included headline appearances at festivals such as Splashy Fen, Wavescapes Film Festival and The Billabong Pro, Farryl has also completed two tours as a guest of Australian superstars Missy Higgins and Ben Lee. He has also toured with Donovan Frankenreiter and has played with Jack Johnson, which resulted in a co-composition with Jack.
His eponymous debut has recently been completed for Sheer’s singer/songwriter label, 2 Feet Music. Farryl has toured Australia in support of Canadian artists Serena Ryder and Hawksley Workmen, as well as returning for headline slots at Big Day Out and support slots for The Violent Femmes. This was later followed by a 30 date tour in support of Bob Evans!
His ongoing touring and promoting of his album includes marketing, release and tours in the UK, France and Germany, as well as a release in Japan.
Farryl will be in the USA, playing at MusExpo this April and more… Facts:
South African Charting –
5FM - Top 40 with “Better days”, peaked at #7 on the High 5@5 with “Ducking and Diving”.
Highveld 94.7 - Top 10 in the Homebrew Charts with “Ducking and Diving”
Campus Stations - Top 10 on TuksFM, UJFM, PUK FM, MFM, UCT Radio
Had a #1 hit on French national radio (FIP) with “La-Di-Da” in 2007. Track still charting in November 2007 as well as on OUI FM (Paris)
Was the voice for Audi TT’s Remastered (UK )advertising campaign in 2007 with his cover of Bob Dylan’s “Positively Fourth Street”
Toured Australia, UK, France and Germany in 2007
Album released in Australia, UK, France, Germany, the rest of Europe and Japanin 2007 with pending releases in 2008 in USA, Canada and Indonesia
Video playlisted on MTV Pulse (France)
Playlisted on national and regional stations in Australia
Performed atBig Day Out in Perth in 2007
Play listing and Free picks on 82 radio stations in Germany
Charted on Tokyo FM in Japan
Featured artist on Tokyo FM in Japan
Reviewed in Q, Uncut, Huck, Mojo, Hit Sheet, Rock n Reel and featured in TNT in the UK
CD of the month in Live Magazin Saar (Germany)
5 movie placements and 3 sync’s for TV advertising campaigns
Nominated for Best Adult Contemporary Album at the South African Music Awards in 2006
Voted #19 most popular celebrity and #1 most popular musician in the Heat Hot 100 Celebrities 2007 (South Africa)
"He's hailed as SA's big singer-songwriter hope, and you'll see why from song one... thoughtful and unpretentious lyrics and unaffected but expressive vocals complete a near-perfect package." - Jean Barker, www.24.com
"Purkiss is an extremely talented guitarist, and there is enough complexity throughout the album to keep you engaged. And he's not all sweet sunshine lyrics either. Check out 'Before You Go' to see just how truthful he can be. This is an album that gets better the more you listen to it, it's a real treat." - Rebecca Khan / SL Magazine
"...there is a real musicality here that sets this album apart from the surfboard toting imitators. Solo acoustic instrumental ‘Speechless’ is one of the albums highlights. ‘Please Stay’ is uplifting and heartbreaking all at once, showing off this singer-songwriter’s ability to make a deep impression with just a light touch of the guitar frets." - Laura MacIntyre, www.mediasearch.com.au
"...a charmingly open, friendly stage presence that pulls you in as his songs caress you with their easy melodies" - Michael Smith, Drum Media, Sydney, Australia
‘...a great start from a promising songwriter with a voice of his own, and I can’t wait to see what the future yields. Get this album, in a few years you’ll be saying “Oh yeah, I remember listening to Farryl ages ago.” He’s the kind of artist who you’ll want to build a long-term audio relationship with through the collection of every single album. Start yours now. - Matthew Christensen (4 out of 5)
"Farryl Purkiss is better than damn good, combining inventive guitar play with introspective wordplay on an album that’s delves deep in to the heart’s emotions. An absolute stunner! ... the best debut of the year." - Craig Canavan (4 out of 5)
"Purkiss gave a brilliant performance, apparently unfazed, despite the problems the crew encountered. The crowd also warmed up towards him and when he told a story about how he played with Jack Johnson in 2003 and how Johnson inspired him to finish his song Déjà Vu, with which he'd been struggling, everyone became a fan before he stepped off stage just before 23h00." - Henriël Veldtmann, Oppikoppi Festival 2006
