Parcels (band)
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 2014 in Byron Bay, New South Wales, Australia |
| Headquarters | Berlin , Germany |
Key people | Louie Swain, Patrick Hetherington, Noah Hill, Anatole Serret, Jules Crommelin |
| Products | Electropop music, albums, singles |
Parcels is an electropop ensemble originating from Australia, established in 2014 in Byron Bay, New South Wales. The lineup features Louie Swain, Patrick Hetherington, Noah Hill, Anatole Serret, and Jules Crommelin. That same year, they moved their base to Berlin, Germany. Their association with the French label Kitsuné helped elevate their profile, particularly following their 2017 collaboration with the electronic duo Daft Punk on the track "Overnight".
Their inaugural album, titled Parcels, was released in 2018 and included singles such as "Tieduprightnow", "Bemyself", "Lightenup", and "Withorwithout". The group characterizes their musical style as a fusion of electropop and disco-infused soul.
Background and Early Musical Endeavors
All five members hail from Byron Bay in New South Wales. While Swain, Hetherington, Hill, and Crommelin attended Cape Byron Rudolf Steiner School, Serret was a student at Byron Bay High School. Their musical journey began around the age of 13, experimenting across genres including funk, folk, metal, and bluegrass.
Prior to forming Parcels, Swain and Hetherington performed as an acoustic folk duo named Louie and Patrick, releasing two digital albums on Bandcamp. Alongside Crommelin and others, they were part of The Sugar Spinners, a roots band that won the busking competition at the 2013 BluesFest in Byron Bay. Additionally, Swain, Hetherington, Serret, and Jade Deegan collaborated in the rock/roots outfit Lifeline, which gained airplay on Triple J Unearthed and played at the 2012 Splendour in the Grass festival. Another project involving Swain, Hetherington, Hill, and vocalist Merryn Boller was Potato Potato, which also received Triple J Unearthed airplay and performed at Splendour in the Grass in 2013.
The official formation of Parcels took place in their final high school year (2014). The band’s name is believed to have been inspired by an old train sign discovered at either Swain’s family home or a local café.
2014: Transition from Byron Bay to Berlin
Following their formation in 2014, Parcels relocated to Berlin after being influenced by a high school video featuring The Whitest Boy Alive performing in Mitte. Berlin’s dynamic music culture—known for its new wave, techno, electro, and hip-hop scenes—has attracted numerous international artists such as David Bowie and Nick Cave, both acknowledged by Parcels as inspirations. Initially residing in a small one-bedroom apartment with limited space, the band spent nearly a year without performing live shows before making their debut at a modest café in Berlin.
2015–2016: Release of Clockscared EP and Collaboration with Daft Punk
On March 2, 2015, Parcels independently released their first EP titled Clockscared, consisting of six tracks recorded with basic equipment. This release drew the attention of Kitsuné, a Paris-based record label that signed them later that year.
In 2016, during a Paris performance attended by Daft Punk members, Parcels were invited to collaborate at their studio. They presented an early version of "Overnight", which was refined over more than a year alongside Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo and Thomas Bangalter of Daft Punk. Keyboardist Patrick Hetherington described marathon studio sessions extending from midday until dawn.
"Overnight" was officially released on June 21, 2017. The single remained on French charts for eleven weeks and represented Daft Punk’s last production before their disbandment in 2021. To maintain thematic consistency within their debut album’s timeline, "Overnight" was excluded from it. The band made their U.S. television debut performing this track on Conan in September 2017.
2017: Hideout
Parcels unveiled their second extended play, Hideout, on 27 January 2017. This marked their initial collaboration with Kitsuné and featured a fully digital production approach. The EP delves into the contrast between outward composure and internal conflict, inspired by the band's transition to living in Berlin. After the release of Hideout and the growing popularity of the track "Overnight," Parcels began leading their own concerts across Europe. In February 2017, they supported Two Door Cinema Club on their European tour, followed by opening for French pop group Phoenix in September, both acts affiliated with Kitsuné.
2018–2019: Parcels
Prior to launching their first full-length album, Parcels introduced the single "Tieduprightnow" in April 2018, with engineering by Ed Bentley at Bakermoon Studios. This was succeeded by the singles "Bemyself" in July and "Lightenup" in September. Their eponymous debut album was released on 12 October 2018 through Because Music, Kitsuné, and Caroline Music. The band described the album’s sound as somewhat rawer and less disco-oriented than previous work.
The lead single "Tieduprightnow" reached number 48 on Mexico’s Billboard chart and narrowly missed Triple J’s Hottest 100 of 2018, placing at 103. The accompanying video, directed by Beatrice Pegard, emphasized the band’s Byron Bay origins and Australian surf culture while serving as an environmental commentary on coastal ecosystem degradation. In 2021, "Tieduprightnow" earned Gold certification from ARIA in Australia and later achieved Silver status from the BPI in the UK in 2025.
On 18 October 2018, Parcels released the video for "Withorwithoutyou," featuring Milla Jovovich alongside Danish actor Carsten Nørgaard. The video paid tribute to iconic American slasher films. The collaboration came about after the band met Jovovich at Cannes Film Festival, where she expressed admiration for their music.
The fifth single from the album, "Tape," characterized as an electronic pop track influenced by surf rock and centered on themes of self-empowerment, premiered its video on 10 April 2019. Directed by Carmen Crommelin and starring Pearl Spring Voss as Penelope—the character depicted on the album cover—the video showcases a continuous live performance recorded in one take at Chicago’s Lincoln Hall. The album itself peaked at number 48 on Germany’s charts and number 49 in France.
2020: Live Vol. 1
On 30 April 2020, Parcels released Live Vol. 1, a live studio album comprising eighteen tracks recorded directly to tape and mixed using an analog console at Berlin’s Hansa Studios. The mastering process involved no edits or overdubs. Hansa Studios is historically significant for hosting legendary rock artists during the 1970s such as David Bowie and Iggy Pop and is located near the former Berlin Wall. This release coincided with the ongoing global COVID-19 pandemic. Alongside the album launch, Parcels provided instrumental tutorials for "IknowhowIfeel" via Instagram. Band member Hill emphasized the importance of aligning releases with the pandemic’s context.
The album rollout included a recording session video directed by Carmen Crommelin, who also helmed their earlier "Tape" video. Her intention was to create a relaxed and intimate visual style that offers a warm, observational perspective.
2021–2024: Day/Night
Parcels debuted the single "Free" on 15 June 2021, accompanied by a video directed by Carmen Crommelin. This was followed by the release of "Comingback" on 28 July 2021. On 15 September, they introduced "Somethinggreater" alongside revealing details about their sophomore effort: the double album Day/Night, which was released on 5 November 2021. To promote this record, Parcels embarked on a global tour throughout 2022, performing across North America, Europe, and Australia.
2025: Loved
In May 2025, Parcels unveiled the single "Yougotmefeeling" alongside the announcement of their third studio album, Loved, which was scheduled for release on 12 September 2025.
Musical style
The ensemble's sound and visual identity are strongly inspired by the music and culture of the 1960s and 1970s, with clear references to the Beatles and The Beach Boys. Their retro 1970s fashion, initially worn at a 2016 Lollapalooza afterparty, evolved into a signature look during the era of Live Vol. 1.
Parcels skillfully combine elements from both classic and modern genres, drawing inspiration from artists like Steely Dan, Marvin Gaye, The Whitest Boy Alive, and Toto. Their rhythm guitar work and harmonized three-part vocals evoke the disco period of The Bee Gees, while subtle influences from Kraftwerk’s pioneering electronic sound are also present. Prior to their 2025 appearance at Glastonbury Festival, the event spotlighted their music as being shaped by acts such as Daft Punk, Fleetwood Mac, and Chic.
Noteworthy performances
- Silver Hayes Pussy Parlure stage at Glastonbury Festival, 25 June 2017
- American television debut on Conan performing "Overnight", 12 September 2017
- BBC Radio 1 live session featuring tracks "Overnight", "Anotherclock", and "Older", 8 January 2018
- Appearance on German program Neo Magazin Royale performing "Lightenup", 20 September 2018
- Concert at Sydney’s The Metro Theatre, 27 December 2019
- Recorded Live Vol. 1 at Berlin’s Hansa Tonstudio, 30 April 2020
- Show at La Cigale in Paris, 5 November 2021
- Performed "Somethinggreater" on The Late Late Show with James Corden, 17 February 2022
- Gig at Sydney’s Enmore Theatre, 27 October 2022
- Two-night engagement at Brisbane’s Tivoli, October 29–30, 2022
- Performance at Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Morrison, Colorado, 17 June 2024
- Opening concert for Festival Estéreo Picnic at Teatro Royal Center, Bogotá, Colombia, 26 March 2025
- Festival Estéreo Picnic performance at Simón Bolívar Park, Bogotá, featuring guest Alberto "Beto" Montenegro of Rawayana on "Leaveyourlove," 28 March 2025
- Outdoor stage sets at Coachella on both April 11 and April 18, 2025
- Sunday set on West Holts stage during Glastonbury Festival 2025, 29 June
Band members
- Anatole "Toto" Serret – percussion
- Jules Crommelin – guitar, vocals
- Louie Swain – keyboard, vocals
- Noah Hill – bass guitar, vocals
- Patrick Hetherington – keyboard, guitar, vocals
Studio albums
| Title | Album details | Highest chart positions achieved | – | AUS | BEL (WA) | FRA | GER | NED | POR | SPA | SWI | UK sales | – | Parcels | 94 | 200 | 49 | 48 | — | — | — | 63 | 61 | – | Day/Night |
|
30 | 43 | 33 | 19 | 55 | 30 | 77 | 31 | 83 | – | Loved |
|
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Live albums
| Album Title | Release Information | Highest Chart Rankings | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FRA | GER | POR | ||
| Live Vol. 1 |
|
171 | 95 | 40 |
| Live Vol. 2 |
|
— | — | — |
Extended plays
| EP Title | Details of Release |
|---|---|
| Clockscared |
|
| Hideout |
|
| Hideout Remixed |
|
| Day/Night Remixed |
|
| Leave Your Love |
|
Charted and certified singles
| Single Title | Year Released | BEL (FL) (tip) | FRA Chart Position | Mex Ingles Airplay Ranking | POR Chart Position | UK Physical Sales Position | Certifications Achieved | Associated Album |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| "Herefore" | 2016 | — | 120 | — | — | — | ||
| "Myenemy" | — | 173 | — | — | — | Hideout | ||
| "Hideout" | 2017 | — | 61 | — | — | — | ||
| "Overnight" | 36 | 62 | — | — | 55 | |||
| "Tieduprightnow" | 2018 | — | — | 48 | — | 79 |
|
Parcels |
| "Lightenup" | 34 | — | — | — | — | |||
| "Leaveyourlove" | 2024 | — | — | — | 173 | — | Leave Your Love / Loved |