The Parlotones release final chapter of Forgotten Songs series with EP 4 Fresh Takes and Forgotten Tapes.
South Africa’s iconic rock band The Parlotones close the curtain on their acclaimed Forgotten Songs series with the release of the fourth and final EP, Fresh Takes and Forgotten Tapes. Out now, the collection offers fans a glimpse into the band’s creative vault with songs that were once overlooked or left unfinished but now see the light of day.
The Forgotten Songs series began as a nostalgic exploration, breathing new life into hidden gems from the band’s archives. From rediscovered demos to reimagined versions of fan favourites, the project has now spanned four EP’s.
For EP 4, guitarist Paul Hodgson explains how the release was born out of the band’s lockdown downtime:
“In 2020 and 2021 the band was mostly unable to perform due to lockdowns, curfews and other restrictions and so had time on our hands to write and record. Most of that turned into our Christmas album Strike the Harp. But then we were asked to record a reimagined version of ‘Colourful’ and a new track, which led us to rediscover ‘Life in a Jar’, a demo from the A World Next Door to Yours era that we had always hoped to record properly. Those sessions sparked the idea for the Forgotten Songs series.”
The six-track EP includes the updated 2021 recording of “Colourful”, the long-awaited studio version of “Life in a Jar”, and the original demos for “Life in a Jar”, “Push Me to the Floor”, “The Impossible” (featuring Kahn’s original guitar idea), and “Shame on You.”
“They are a bit rough but full of our early enthusiasm and creative spirit from four young guys still learning their songwriting, learning their instruments, and starting off on an amazing journey that has been the better part of most of our lives,” Hodgson adds.
Stream ‘EP 4 – Fresh Takes and Forgotten Tapes’ here
While this marks the end of the Forgotten Songs series, The Parlotones hint that the nostalgia has sparked inspiration for new material, with a full-length album in the works despite the geographical distance between members in South Africa and the Netherlands.
Fans can also catch the band live in Gauteng this October:
17 Oct – Jessica’s (West Rand) | Ticket link: https://www.jessicasrestaurants.com/event-details/the-parlotones
18 Oct – Parklive Festival (Marks Park) | Ticket link: https://breakout.howler.co.za/events/parklive-2025-b23b
19 Oct – Barnyard Menlyn (Pretoria) | Ticket link: https://www.barnyardtheatre.co.za/show.aspx?sid=857
“Forgotten Songs: EP 4 – Fresh Takes and Forgotten Tapes” track listing:
1. Colourful (2021)
2. Life in a Jar
3. Life in a Jar (Demo)
4. Push Me to the Floor (Demo)
5. The Impossible (Demo)
6. Shame on You (Demo)
Follow THE PARLOTONES:
The Beginnings of The Parlotones
The Parlotones’ story began in 1998 when Kahn Morbee and Neil Pauw met through mutual friends. Kahn, an aspiring songwriter, was looking to start a band. Neil, who had recently acquired a drum kit through his father’s artwork transaction, joined him. Shortly after, Neil invited his friend Paul Hodgson to play guitar. Paul’s younger brother Glen insisted on joining them as a bass guitarist, despite not owning or having played the instrument before.
This initial lineup enjoyed their time together, practicing regularly and writing music. They underwent several name changes, from Crayon to finally settling on The Parlotones, inspired by Parlophone Records, home to many of their musical idols such as The Beatles, Radiohead, Morrissey, and Coldplay.
Despite lineup changes over the years, including Glen leaving to focus on school exams, the core trio of Kahn, Neil, and Paul continued to make music. Glen’s eventual return to incorporate his piano skills added a new dimension to their sound, which became a staple in their music.
Reflecting on his early days with the band, Glen Hodgson shared, “I started piano in grade 1. Only did it because I liked a girl.”
Stream ‘EP 1 – Early Recordings’ HERE
Stream ‘EP 2 – Covers & Remixes’ HERE
Stream ‘EP 3 – Raw & Unheard’ HERE