Palma Violets
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 2011 |
| Headquarters | Lambeth, London , England |
Key people | Samuel Fryer, Chilli Jesson, Jeffrey Peter Mayhew, William Martin Doyle |
| Products | Music albums and singles |
Palma Violets was an English group originating from Lambeth, London, established in 2011 with lead vocalists Samuel Fryer and Chilli Jesson at its core.
Their sound is mainly categorized as indie rock, incorporating elements of garage and psychedelic styles. Their inaugural single, "Best of Friends," earned the distinction of NME's song of the year in 2012, while their debut album, 180, was launched on 25 February 2013.
Much like The Libertines, Palma Violets cultivated a dedicated online following prior to releasing their first single, helped by fans sharing live performance videos. They signed with Rough Trade Records and participated in the 2013 NME Awards Tour alongside artists such as Miles Kane, Django Django, and Peace. The band received extensive exposure through numerous NME magazine features.
On 9 December 2012, Palma Violets were shortlisted by the BBC for the Sound of 2013 poll.
Biography
The lineup comprised bassist and vocalist Alexander "Chilli" Jesson, guitarist and vocalist Samuel Thomas Fryer, keyboardist Jeffrey Peter Mayhew, and drummer William Martin Doyle. On 10 January, they unveiled "Step Up for the Cool Cats" on BBC Radio 1, a track produced by Steve Mackey and released shortly afterward as the second single from 180, following the Rory Attwell-produced "Best of Friends."
"Danger in the Club" premiered on BBC Radio 1 on 16 February. Their album Danger in the Club, produced by John Leckie, was issued on 4 May through Rough Trade Records.
In December 2015, Palma Violets issued a Christmas-themed single titled "Last Christmas on Planet Earth," available on 7" vinyl, accompanied by a B-side featuring The Rhythm Studio Kids Choir.
Following the release of Danger in the Club, the band discontinued their social media presence, which led to speculation about their disbandment—later confirmed during a July 2018 interview. All members except Chilli Jesson went on to form Gently Tender with Celia Archer from The Big Moon. Jesson initiated a new endeavor called Crewel Intentions.
Studio albums
| Album | Details | Peak positions | Certification | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK | SWE | |||
| 180 |
|
11 | 52 | |
| Danger in the Club |
|
25 | – | |
EPs
| Title | Details |
|---|---|
| Invasion of the Tribbles |
|
Singles
| Title | Year | Album |
|---|---|---|
| "Best of Friends"/"Last of the Summer Wine" | 2012 | 180 |
| "Step Up for the Cool Cats" | 2013 | |
| "We Found Love" | ||
| "Danger in the Club" | 2015 | Danger in the Club |
| "English Tongue" | ||
| "Peter and the Gun" | ||
| "The Jacket Song" | ||
| "Last Christmas on Planet Earth" | Template:Non-album single | |
| "Coming Over to My Place" | 2016 | Danger in the Club |
| "Matador" | ||
| "Secrets of America" |
Awards and nominations
| Year | Organization | Award | Work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | BBC | Sound of 2013 | — | Template:Nom |
| NME Awards | 50 Best Tracks of 2012 | Best of Friends | Template:Won | |
| 2013 | Best New Band | — | Template:Won | |
| Q Awards | Best New Act | — | Template:Nom | |
| 2014 | NME Awards | Best British Band | — | Template:Nom |
| Best Live Band | — | Template:Nom | ||
| Ivor Novello Awards | Best Song Musically and Lyrically | Best of Friends | Template:Nom |