After a long absence from the Durban music scene, singer-songwriter, Farryl Purkiss, is back in Durban to launch his latest album “Fruitbats & Crows”. In the past three years, Purkiss has toured Australia three times (including a performance at Big Day Out), Europe, USA and of course, South Africa. He’s had radio success in all of the above territories including Japan and had a number 1 radio hit in France with “La-Di-Da”. His songs have been used in campaigns by Nissan (Greece), Audi (UK), MTN (South Africa) as well as had various songs placed in the international film “Adopted” (featuring Pauly Shore).
In 2007 he was voted by the public as the 19th most popular celebrity and the most popular musician in the Heat Magazine Hot 100 (South Africa) and has been featured by every major newspaper, magazine, TV show and radio station in South Africa as well as been an ambassador for Woolworths. He toured with international greats such as Missy Higgins, Bob Evans, Donovan Frankenreiter, Ben Lee, Luke Doucet and Melissa McClelland and performed on stages alongside artists such as Muse, Tool and Jack Johnson as well as been featured in USA TV show, Private Practice. This album was produced by one of South Africa’s most successful producers, Brian O’Shea, who is responsible for albums by Watershed, Arno Carstens, Saron Gas, Sugardrive and Jesse Clegg, to mention a few.
The album contains 12 brand new tracks and feature international guest musicians such as Ash Grunwald (Australia) and John Ellis (Tree 63). “Fruitbats and Crows” showcases the sounds of a more mature Farryl Purkiss who has spent the past two years perfecting the songs. The album title was conceived while on a 30 day tour in Australia with multi-platinum artist Bob Evans.
The first single, “A Million Grains Of Sand”, has already been playlisted on radio stations such as Highveld Stereo, RSG and campus stations across South Africa with a music video to follow soon. Purkiss will be performing tracks from the new album (as well as old favourites) at the following venues in Durban:- Thursday, February 11 2010 – St. Clements (191 Musgrave Road) Friday, February 12 2010 – Vagabond Cafe (Claremont Farm, Sheffield Beach Road, Salt Rock) Saturday, February 13 2010 – Box Bar (McCausland Crescent, Umhlanga) Sunday, February 14 2010 – Durban Botanical Gardens w/ Just Jinjer (70 St Thomas Rd)
