Parallels (band)

Parallels is a synthpop band from Toronto, Canada,[1] lead by Holly Dodson (vocalist, composer, producer).

Parallels
Parallels at the Echoplex, Los Angeles CA, 21 Nov 2009
Background information
OriginToronto, Canada
GenresSynthpop, electropop
InstrumentsSynthesizers, Drums
Years active2008-present
LabelsThe Marigold Label
Websiteiloveparallels.com
MembersHolly Dodson
Past membersCameron Findlay (2008-2011)
Joey Kehoe (2008-2010)

History

Beginnings (2008-2011)

Parallels was created by Holly Dodson and Cameron Findlay. Joey Kehoe (otherwise known as Darien シールド) joined to turn the project into a full-fledged band.[2] Through an exchange of emails with Dodson, they wrote their first single "Ultralight". Findlay and Dodson continued to write more material, releasing "Ultralight" as a digital single later that year, and on vinyl on Thisisnotanexit Records in London, UK. They made their live debut in 2008 opening for Italians Do It Better artist Glass Candy at Wrongbar in Toronto. Parallels performed at Power Ball 11 at The Power Plant in Toronto on May 28, 2009. [3]

Parallels music has been likened to the work of Giorgio Moroder,[4] New Order and Stevie Nicks.[5] Dodson's vocals have been compared to Kate Bush, and true-blue era Madonna.[6] Now Magazine rated Parallels as critic's pick for "Best Electronic act of 2009", in their "Best of Toronto" issue.[7] Dodson represented Parallels in Flare (magazine)'s 30th anniversary issue as one of the "Hottest names to know in Canadian Music" [8] The band made their US debut at CMJ Music Marathon in New York City in October 2009.[9]

Parallels has opened for Florence And The Machine, The Juan Maclean, Miami Horror and Broken Social Scene.[10]

"Visionaries" (2010)

The band's debut album, "Visionaries", was released in February 2010.[11] Parallels song "Find the Fire" was featured on Kitsuné Maison Compilation 8 released by Kitsuné Music. The album was nominated for an Independent Music Award for Best Album - Dance/Electronica. Parallels' song "Ultralight" was featured in episode 4, of the second season of The A-List: New York. Parallels appeared on the cover of "Eye Weekly" in 2010.

"XII" (2012)

The band released their second full-length album, entitled "XII", on Marigold Records in the spring of 2012.[12] After the departure of Findlay and Kehoe, Dodson began writing material for Parallels' second album "XII" at Marigold Studios in Toronto. In 2012, her brother Nick Dodson joined on drums and friend Artem Galperine on synths.[13] "XII" eventually hit #5 on Canada's college radio charts in 2012. The album includes a rendition of "Moonlight Desires" by Canadian artist Lawrence Gowan [14] Following the release of "XII", Parallels toured North America and was chosen by NXNE as one of the top 15 Alternative bands to perform at the festival.[15] Parallels' song "Dry Blood", from their debut album "Visionaries" was featured on the soundtrack for Curfew (2012 film) directed by Shawn Christensen that won the 2013 Academy Award for Best Live Action Short Film[16]

Parallels performed at Fashion Magazine's 35th Anniversary party at Toronto's Distillery District's Fermenting Cellar. [17]

"Civilization EP" (2015)

In 2015, Parallels' "Civilization EP" hit #1 in Canada, on Earshot's "National Electronic Chart".[18] "Civilization EP" includes a cover of "Age Of Consent" by British alternative group New Order. In its review of the EP, Electronic Rumors deemed Parallels "Undoubtedly one of Canada's finest synthpop exports".[19]

"Metropolis" (2017)

Parallels' third album, "Metropolis" was released February 17, 2017. The title track was featured on CBC Radio 1's show "Hear & Now" as "Song Of The Week". [20] On November 18, 2016 Parallels headlined "Friday Night Live" at the Royal Ontario Museum for a crowd of 3500 people. [21] Their second single "I.R.L" received a video by Emmy-Award winning director Jack Chapman. [22] The video won for "Best Music Video" at multiple independent film festivals including the Los Angeles Film Awards, Indie Memphis Film Festival and the Canadian Diversity Film Awards. [23] Parallels supported French band Yelle at their sold-out show at Adelaide Hall in Toronto on October 17, 2017.

Parallels made their live European debut in March 2018 at synth wave party "VHS Vision V" in Stockholm, Sweden. In November 2018, Parallels teamed up with German synth wave artist Nina for a six-date tour in the United States. [24]

Collaboration with Futurecop! (2018-2019)

Dodson collaborated with Manchester-based synthwave group Futurecop! on their single "Edge Of The Universe", released by American label New RetroWave on November 23, 2018. [25] "Edge Of The Universe" was described by Vehlinggo as "huge, its potential infinite, and your connection with the song assured."[26] The single was highlighted by Iron Skullet as one of the top 25 "Best Popwave of 2018". [27] Its accompanying video, directed by Anise Mariko made #4 on New RetroWave's "Top Ten Music Videos of 2018" list.[28]

Futurecop! and Parallels released their second collaborative single "We Belong" on January 23, 2019.[29] The song was featured on Spotify Canada's New Music Friday playlist. UK music blog Analogue Trash described Dodson’s performance as "polished to perfection, highlighting her similarities to peak Madonna at her feisty feminist best or Robyn’s sweet but assertive pop perfection. But there’s no voice quite like Dodson’s."[30]

"We Belong" was followed by a third single featuring Parallels, titled "This Moment Forever" released by German imprint, Kiez Beats.[31] Futurecop!'s full album "Voltrana", featuring four songs co-written by Dodson, was released by New RetroWave on March 22, 2019.[32]

Discography
  • Ultralight EP (2009)
  • Visionaries (2010)
  • XII (2012)
  • Civilization EP (2015)
  • Metropolis (2017)

References
  1. Keller, Jason. Now Magazine. http://www.nowtoronto.com/music/story.cfm?content=167105 February 11–14. Vol 28 no. 14.
  2. James, Matt. The Music Fix. http://www.themusicfix.co.uk/content/review/6065/parallels-interview.html May 15, 2009
  3. Sardone, Andrew (2009-04-29). "Go gala go". NOW Magazine. Retrieved 2018-12-19.
  4. Lindsay, Cam. Exclaim! Magazine. http://exclaim.ca/articles/generalarticlesynopsfullart.aspx?csid2=804&fid1=36294&csid1=0
  5. Smith, Owen. Dummy Magazine. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2009-06-27. Retrieved 2009-12-17.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) March 3, 2009
  6. St. Germain, Randy. Fact magazine. http://www.factmagazine.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2530&Itemid=70 May 12, 2009.
  7. Now Magazine. http://www.nowtoronto.com/music/story.cfm?content=172077 November 4, 2009
  8. Iannacci, Elio. (2009, September). The Hottest Names to Know in Canadian Music. Flare Magazine. Rogers Communications(publishing). September 2009
  9. CMJ Music Marathon http://www.cmj.com/marathon
  10. Chang, Kee. (2012, July). Vital Stats: Parallels. "Anthem Magazine". http://anthemmagazine.com/vital-stats-parallels/ Retrieved 19/11/2015
  11. Parallels Biography
  12. Bowlegs Music "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2012-07-22. Retrieved 2012-04-25.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  13. Beatroute "Canadian Bred Talent Keeps The Glitter Sparkling". http://beatroute.ca/2012/08/01/parallels/. Retrieved 20/11/2015
  14. Sakamoto, John. "The Anti-Hit List". The Toronto Star. https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/2012/03/15/the_antihit_list_for_march_17_gossip_grimes_and_gowan.html
  15. Fearless Radio "Parallels" http://www.fearlessradio.com/component/k2/itemlist/date/2013/8/23?catid=1&limit=10&start=10. Retrieved 20/11/15
  16. Nominees for the 85th Academy Awards. http://www.oscars.org/awards/academyawards/85/nominees.html. Retrieved 25/02/2013
  17. "Inside our 35th anniversary party: We celebrate in style alongside 700 of our chicest friends". FASHION Magazine. 2012-10-19. Retrieved 2018-12-19.
  18. Earshot Online - National Electronic Chart. http://www.earshot-online.com/charts/index.cfm?intChartTypeID=102&dWeekOfID=2015-10-13. Retrieved 19/11/2015
  19. "Audio: Parallels "Civilisation". Electronic Rumors. http://electronicrumors.com/2015/06/11/audio-parallels-civilisation/. Retrieved 20/11/15
  20. "PARALLELS Metropolis". The Electricity Club. 2017-02-17. Retrieved 2018-12-19.
  21. "ROM Friday Night Live Kicks Off Season 10 on September 30, 2016". Royal Ontario Museum. Retrieved 2018-12-19.
  22. "Jack Chapman". IMDb. Retrieved 2018-12-19.
  23. Parallels: I.R.L, retrieved 2018-12-19
  24. Andrew Zistler (2018-10-03). "NINA and Parallels Announce US Tour!". NewRetroWave - Stay Retro! | Live The 80's Dream!. Retrieved 2018-12-19.
  25. "Parallels Join Futurecop! at the 'Edge of the Universe' on New Single". Vehlinggo. 2018-11-23. Retrieved 2018-12-19.
  26. "Parallels Join Futurecop! at the 'Edge of the Universe' on New Single". Vehlinggo. 2018-11-23. Retrieved 2019-03-27.
  27. Skullet, Iron (2018-12-24). "Best Popwave Songs of 2018 • Iron Skullet". Iron Skullet. Retrieved 2019-01-08.
  28. Andrew Zistler (2018-12-20). "Top Ten Retrowave Music Videos of 2018". NewRetroWave - Stay Retro! | Live The 80's Dream!. Retrieved 2019-01-08.
  29. "Futurecop! & Parallels - We Belong". Discogs. Retrieved 2019-03-27.
  30. "New Music: Futurecop! - We Belong feat. Parallels". AnalogueTrash. 2019-01-23. Retrieved 2019-03-27.
  31. "Futurecop! & Parallels - This Moment Forever". Discogs. Retrieved 2019-03-27.
  32. "Futurecop! - Voltrana". Discogs. Retrieved 2019-03-27.
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