Pnau

Pnau

Upper body shot of two men performing. Man at left is shown in right profile, he is holding a microphone in his right hand and singing with his eyes closed. He wears a dark blue shirt, dark pants. At his right hip in his belt is an electronic device. The second man is partly obscured, he leans in close to the first. He is singing and playing a 12-string guitar with his left hand high on the fret board. His right hand holds the guitar pick as he strums the strings. His eyes are open and looking at the first man.

Pnau – Peter Mayes (left), Nick Littlemore (right)
Background information
Origin Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Genres Electronic, wonky pop
Years active 1999 (1999)–present
Labels Sony
Associated acts Teenager, Ladyhawke, Empire of the Sun
Website www.pnau.tv
Members Nick Littlemore
Peter Mayes

Pnau is an Australian dance music duo originating from Sydney, Australia. The duo consists of musicians Nick Littlemore (vocals, production) and Peter Mayes (guitar, production).[1] The pair have achieved multiple successes throughout their career with their award-winning debut album Sambanova,[2][3] their widely acclaimed 2007 release Pnau.[4] Pnau is also recognized for their heavily publicized apprenticeship under musician Elton John, who signed the duo after listening to their record Pnau.[5] Several of Pnau's recent projects have featured John's involvement, such as Pnau's album Soft Universe[6] and an album featuring Pnau recreations of Elton John's hits called Good Morning to the Night.[7] Apart from being a member of Pnau, Littlemore also appears as one half of the band Empire of the Sun,[8][9][10] which has had multiple chart-topping singles.

Biography

Pnau formed in Sydney, New South Wales by Nick Littlemore and Peter Mayes. The two met at secondary school and began performing together in the mid-1990s, initially playing acid, house music, and trance music.[1] Littlemore recalled meeting Mayes when he was 10; "He tripped me over. We hated each other for a couple years and then we started sneaking out and going to raves when we were about 13 and we formed a bond over intense music." Littlemore and Mayes created their first album when they were in their mid-teens. "It was called Fractured Geometric Spaces Made of Light," Littlemore remembers, "Which is probably why it was never picked up."[11]

In 1999, Pnau officially released their debut album Sambanova under the independent label Peking Duck. It was recorded in a bedroom studio and they only expected to sell a few thousand copies.[12] The album turned out to be a surprise success when it won Best Dance Release at the ARIA Music Awards. A week later, however, the album was pulled from record stores for using uncleared samples. In a 2003 interview with The Age, Mayes recalled that they had no understanding of sample clearances due to their naïveté in the music business.[13] Mayes claimed that the album's recall did seriously affect their commercial sales.[13] Littlemore later contested "They screwed us over for $300,000. Warners didn't; another third party did. But that happens. We're still here, we're still doing it."[14]

In subsequent years Pnau went on to make many live appearances at music festivals like Big Day Out in 2001 and Homebake in 2002. During this time, they garnered a reputation for their lively performances.[15] Amidst this era, Pnau released their second album, Again in 2003.[16] The album was not a commercial success and Littlemore was later quoted as Again being "the worst record I’ve ever done".[17] Littlemore has since retracted the statement. When asked if he still considered Again to be his worst record, Littlemore responded, "Well next to [Soft Universe]. They're sort of on par." Littlemore further explained that a lot of his opinion is formed around the albums' commercial success, which is an easy headspace for him to get into since "everyone loves Empire of the Sun, it's sold 1.1 million records."[14] Despite the seemingly unfavorable album response, several tracks received considerable acclaim - the most noteworthy being We Love The Fresh Kills which was a significantly popular single for the duo at the time.[4] However, because of Again's lackluster success the pair parted ways for some time to work with other artists such as Robbie Williams,[17] Van She,[18] and Lost Valentinos.[19]

When the two reunited in 2007 they wrote over two-hundred songs together and started to lay down an entire album with Nick Littlemore's brother Sam Littlemore as producer. They sent a work-in-progress track to long-time friend and collaborator Luke Steele, who sent back the track with his own vocals. After receiving the track, the Littlemore brothers and Mayes agreed to scrap almost everything they had laid down to focus on a more vocally centered album.[20] The track became known as With You Forever and the finalized album was released under the self-titled name Pnau. The album not only featured vocal work from Luke Steele and Nick Littlemore himself, but also had many guest appearances such as Ladyhawke, Feadz, Nik Yannika from Lost Valentinos and Michael DeFrancesco from Van She.[21] The album was released to high critical acclaim[4] and gained unexpected favorable attention from Elton John,[5][22][23][24] declaring it to be the greatest record he'd heard in ten years.[25][26]

Inspired by their track "With You Forever", Pnau began work on a collaboration with Luke Steele.[27] Originally titled Steelemore,[24] Empire of the Sun made its debut on 4 October 2008 with Walking on a Dream. Nick Littlemore and Luke Steele took the roles of bandmates, while Peter Mayes assumed the role of producer. Some critics were quick to note that the band sounded more like a work of Pnau than Luke Steele's band The Sleepy Jackson.[28] Empire of the Sun has achieved international success having been certified 2x platinum in Australia[8] and gold in the United Kingdom,[9] as well as winning eleven ARIA awards.[10] Pnau makes it clear on their Myspace numerous times that not only is Empire of the Sun a side project of theirs, but that they are also the producers.[29] Regarding Empire of the Sun, in early 2009 news began appearing that Nick Littlemore had disappeared.[30][31] The reality had been that Nick Littlemore had left Empire of the Sun to begin work on the fourth Pnau album along with Elton John.[6]

In 2010, the track "Baby" (Remixed by Breakbot) appears in the release of Sony Computer Entertainment's "Gran Turismo 5", in the Background Music (BGM) playlist.

In 2011 Pnau released their fourth studio album Soft Universe. Littlemore has described it as a very "emotional" album, inspired by the breakup with his long-time girlfriend.[32] With input from Elton John, the album features Littlemore singing all the vocals on the album along with tracks co-written with fellow Aussie artist Martin Craft and producer Mark Saunders.[33] The album was positively received, although mainly critics expressed discontent with the lack of the "endearing weirdness of previous Pnau and Empire releases."[34] The Soft Universe album received the Australian Independent Record (AIR) Award for Best Independent Dance/Electronica Album.[35]

On 10 March 2012, the first remix track from the anticipated, upcoming Elton John rework album commissioned for Pnau was leaked, initially airing on Pete Tong's BBC Radio 1 broadcast.[36] It was also revealed the remix album would feature eight tracks and was set for an April 2012 release.[37]

On the 2 June 2012, Good Morning to the Night was released, reaching number 1 in the UK national singles charts.[38]

Pronunciations

One accepted pronunciation of Pnau is "pah-now".[39] The name is commonly accented to simulate the sound of a gunshot. Nick Littlemore explained the name was the result of an instance when he was speaking in tongues. After shouting gibberish for half an hour, Littlemore decided Pnau would be an appropriate band name.[40]

Another theory on the pronunciation, according to one interview with the pair, is "pah-nyeow". The group has on other occasions explained that the name "rhymes with meow".

Awards

Discography

Studio albums

Title Details Peak chart positions
AUS
[41]		 UK
Sambanova
  • Released: July 1999
  • Label: Peaking Duck
 39 —
Again
  • Released: 17 October 2003
  • Label: Warner Music Australia
 — —
Pnau
  • Released: 19 December 2007
  • Label: ETCETC
 31 —
Soft Universe
  • Released: 22 July 2011
  • Label: ETCETC
 13 —
Good Morning to the Night
(Elton John vs Pnau)
  • Released: 16 July 2012
  • Label: Mercury
 40 1
"—" denotes an album that did not chart or was not released.

Extended plays

Singles

As lead artist

Year Title Peak chart positions Album
AUS
[41]		 Hot 100
2000 "Need Your Lovin' Baby" — — Sambanova
"Sambanova" — —
2001 "Follow Me" — —
2002 "Blood Lust" — — Again
"Una Noche" — — Non-album single
2007 "Wild Strawberries" — 100 Pnau
2008 "Baby" 34 54
"Embrace" 55 12
2011 "The Truth" — 80 Soft Universe
"Solid Ground" — —
"Unite Us" — —
2012 "Epic Fail" — —
"Everybody" — —
"Good Morning to the Night"
(with Elton John)		 71 — Good Morning to the Night
"Sad"
(with Elton John)		 — —
"—" denotes a single that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

As featured artist

Year Title Peak chart positions Album
AUS
[41]		 AUT
[42]		 BEL
(Fl)
[43]		 FRA
[44]		 GER
[45]		 NL
[46]		 SWE
[47]		 SWI
[48]		 UK
2013 "Changes"
(Faul & Wad Ad vs. Pnau)		 — 2 3 9 1 32 47 4 3 Non-album singles
"Something New"
(Faul & Wad Ad vs. Pnau)		 — — — — — — — — —
"—" denotes a single that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

References

  1. 1 2 Wesolowski, David Peter. "Pnau > Biography". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved 2 April 2010.
  2. ↑ "Pnau Sambanova". Australian charts portal. Hung Medien. Retrieved 2 April 2010.
  3. ↑ "ARIA Awards – History: Winners by Year 2000: 14th Annual ARIA Awards". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Retrieved 2 April 2010.
  4. 1 2 3 "PNAU at Ministry of Sound". Ministry of Sound. Retrieved 26 August 2010.
  5. 1 2 "Elton John signs Aussie Band PNAU". News.Com.Au. 31 July 2008. Retrieved 26 August 2010.
  6. 1 2 "Empire Of The Sun's Nick Littlemore writing with Elton John". NME. Retrieved 20 May 2010.
  7. ↑ "Tired Big Day Out Performers Ready To Party In Perth After Final Aussie Gig". Perth Now. Retrieved 11 February 2011.
  8. 1 2 "ARIA Charts - Accreditations - 2010". Retrieved 20 May 2010.
  9. 1 2 "Certified Awards Search". BPI. Retrieved 20 May 2010.
  10. 1 2 "Empire of the Arias". Empire of the Sun Official. Retrieved 20 May 2010.
  11. ↑ "Cosmo Chats: PNAU". Cosmopolitan. 23 November 2011. Retrieved 11 March 2012.
  12. ↑ "Pnau Again". Triple J. Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC). 31 March 2003. Retrieved 16 April 2010.
  13. 1 2 Drever, Andrew (17 October 2003). "Pnau and then". The Age (Melbourne: Fairfax Media). Retrieved 16 April 2010.
  14. 1 2 "Interview: PNAU". FHM. 23 November 2011. Retrieved 11 March 2012.
  15. ↑ Tomas, Juan-Carlo (15 November 2002). "Cookin'". The Sydney Morning Herald (Fairfax Media). Retrieved 16 April 2010.
  16. ↑ "Pnau – Again (CD)". Discogs. Retrieved 26 August 2010.
  17. 1 2 "Australian Interview - PNAU". Ruth Bailey. Retrieved 26 August 2010.
  18. ↑ "Nick Littlemore discography". Discogs. Retrieved 26 August 2010.
  19. ↑ "Lost Valentinos* - Miles From Nowhere EP at Discogs". Discogs. Retrieved 26 August 2010.
  20. ↑ "PNAU - Behind The Scenes". Ministry of Sound. Retrieved 26 August 2010.
  21. ↑ "Pnau Biography" (PDF). Pnau.net. Retrieved 26 August 2010.
  22. ↑ "Elton John Loves PNAU". Crushable. Retrieved 26 August 2010.
  23. ↑ "Elton John Joins The PNAU Fan Club". Undercover. Retrieved 26 August 2010.
  24. 1 2 "Rolling Stone: Pnau interview". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 26 August 2010.
  25. ↑ "PNAU - Nick Littlemore - Music". Time Out Sydney. Retrieved 26 August 2010.
  26. ↑ "PNAU Baby (live on Sunrise), With the Talent Zone Dancers". Talent Zone. Retrieved 26 August 2010.
  27. ↑ "PNAU Tracks" (PDF). Pnau.net. Retrieved 26 August 2010.
  28. ↑ "Walking On A Dream Review". Allmusic. Retrieved 26 August 2010.
  29. ↑ "Pnau Myspace". Myspace. Retrieved 20 May 2010.
  30. ↑ "Empire of the Sun’s Nick Littlemore MIA for Five Months; Luke Steele May Be Forced to Play Duo’s First-Ever Live Shows Minus His Right-Hand Man". Exclaim News. Retrieved 20 May 2010.
  31. ↑ "Empire Of The Sun's Nick Littlemore Leaves Band And Goes Missing!". Take 40. Retrieved 20 May 2010.
  32. ↑ McNamara, Tim. "Littlemore discusses Empire sequel and Pnau's "emotional" new album". The Music Network. Retrieved 26 November 2010.
  33. ↑ "Nick Littlemore joins the circus". Triple J. Retrieved 29 November 2010.
  34. ↑ "Pnau - Unite Us". Music OMH. Retrieved 11 March 2012.
  35. ↑ http://ausindies.com.au/id-2011-awards.html, Australian Independent Record Labels Association Ltd (AIR), 2012
  36. ↑ "Pete Tong - Essential Selection - 09-03-2012". beatmyday. Retrieved 11 March 2012.
  37. ↑ "First Taste of Pnau and Elton John Collab". Stoney Roads. Retrieved 11 March 2012.
  38. ↑ Good Morning to the Night
  39. ↑ "PNAU-Again". About.com. Retrieved 24 October 2010.
  40. ↑ "Vera Meets PNAU". Retrieved 24 October 2010.
  41. 1 2 3 Peak positions in Australia
    • For all except noted: Hung, Steffen. "Discography Pnau". Australian Charts Portal. Hung Medien (Steffen Hung).
    • For "Embrace": ARIA Report 973. Retrieved 2011-02-16
  42. ↑ Hung, Steffen. "Discographie Pnau". Austrian Charts Portal. Hung Medien (Steffen Hung).
  43. ↑ Hung, Steffen. "Discografie Pnau". Belgium (Flanders) Charts Portal. Hung Medien (Steffen Hung).
  44. ↑ Hung, Steffen. "Discographie Pnau". French Charts Portal. Hung Medien (Steffen Hung).
  45. ↑ Hung, Steffen. "Discographie Pnau". German Charts Portal. Hung Medien (Steffen Hung).
  46. ↑ Hung, Steffen. "Discografie Pnau". Dutch Charts Portal. Hung Medien (Steffen Hung).
  47. ↑ Hung, Steffen. "Discography Pnau". Swedish Charts Portal. Hung Medien (Steffen Hung).
  48. ↑ Hung, Steffen. "Discographie Pnau". Swiss Charts Portal. Hung Medien (Steffen Hung).

External links

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