Based: Cape Town
Farryl Purkiss is a South African born singer-songwriter. Farryl first picked up the guitar when he was fifteen years old and began writing songs shortly after his sixteenth birthday. He self released an EP in 2005 that created waves in Durban and later that year began talks with 2Feet Music. He was signed to 2Feet Music soon after and started performing heavily outside of South Africa leading up to the release of his full length debut album, released in South Africa in 2007, to high acclaim, chart success and award nominations. He has since spent most of his time touring the world with over 140 gigs in 2007 and early 2008.
“Fruitbats & Crows” (2009) is the long awaited follow up to Farryl Purkiss’s 2006 internationally critically acclaimed self titled album. In the past three years, Purkiss has toured Australia three times, Europe, USA and of course, South Africa. He’s had radio success in all of the above territories including Japan and a #1 in France with “La-Di-Da”. His songs have been used in campaigns by Nissan (Greece), Audi (UK), MTN (South Africa) as well as placement in the international film “Adopted” (featuring Pauly Shore). In 2007 he was voted the most popular musician by Heat Magazine (South Africa) and has been featured by every major newspaper, magazine, TV show and radio station in South Africa as well as an ambassador for Woolworths. In 2009 “Stick and Stones” was featured in “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, Louise Carver, 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).
Over 5000 units sold in South Africa (Debut album)
SOUTH AFRICAN CHARTING :
5 FM -Top 40 with “Better days“, peaked at #3 with “Ducking and Diving“. (Approx 1.4 Million listeners)
Highveld 94.7 – Top 10 with “Ducking and Diving” and “Better Days” (Approx 1.1 Million Listeners)
“La Di Da” and “Sticks and Stones” playlisted on Key AC station, Jacaranda FM(Approx 1.5 Million listeners)
All key Campus Stations – Top 10 on TuksFM, UJFM, PUK FM, MFM, UCT Radio
“A Million Grains Of Sand” currently playlisted on stations such as Highveld Stereo, RSG, Campus Stations nationally (combined listenership of approx 4 million)
“Kissing Devils On The Cheek” currently playlisted on South Africa’s biggest national Top 40 radio station, 5fm. Track was chosen as tastemaker track of the week during the Top 40 show on 20th June 2010 as well as treffer (hit) of the week on 5fm on 14 June 2010. Track is also playlisted on all campus stations as well as regionals.
“Kissing Devils On The Cheek” music video peaked at #2 on MK, South Africa’s only music video channel specialising in rock/pop after 5 weeks on the chart.
