[1] Originally rooted in Britpop, The Parlotones' music has evolved to encompass a diverse range of genres, with lyrics centered on relatable themes such as love and everyday life, complemented by engaging and memorable melodies.

As one of South Africa's all-time best-selling music artists, the band boasts ten studio albums and multi-platinum success.

The Parlotones originated in Johannesburg during the summer of 1998 when Kahn Morbee (born Dingaan) failed to form a band in high school.

[4] In July 2002, well-known underground musician John Boyd joined the band, contributing synth elements and serving as the on-stage engineer during live shows.

[1] Around this time, the band signed with Raphael Domalik's record label, Sovereign Entertainment, prompting them to adopt a more mature name.

They settled on The Parlotones, a variation of Parlophone Records, the label that signed influential bands such as Radiohead, Travis, and Jeff Buckley.

[6] However, university radio stations embraced the album, giving it high rotation and featuring it as a regular top download on local music websites.

Regional stations like Highveld and East Coast Radio added the song "Long Way Home" to their playlists, turning it into an instant crowd-pleaser.

This moderate success led to the band performing at regional music festivals and making guest appearances on television shows such as Jip and Good Morning Live.

[8] In April 2005, at a celebration for Cosmopolitan South Africa's twenty-one years of publishing, The Parlotones were invited to perform alongside eight other bands.

[11] In an effort to "stand out and be remembered" and to align with the party theme "vintage glam," Kahn suggested that the band apply A Clockwork Orange-inspired teardrops using mascara.

[21] The album featured the singles "Life Design" and "Push Me to the Floor," which gained significant airplay on South African radio stations.

The Parlotones participated in the 2010 FIFA World Cup Kick-Off Celebration concert, performing alongside artists such as the Black Eyed Peas, Alicia Keys, and Shakira.

[25][26] In February 2012, the band was introduced to radio programmers, music supervisors, and other industry executives at Michele Clark's Sunset Sessions event in San Diego, CA.

The Parlotones participated in the Sunset Sessions Rock event in June 2012, and Michele Clark subsequently became their US manager, featuring in their movie "This is Our Story."

[27][28][29] They relocated to the US in January 2013, playing two sold-out farewell shows at Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden and Ellis Park Stadium before their departure.

The album received positive reviews, with critics praising the band's unique take on classic Christmas songs and the quality of their original tracks.

In an interview with Jacaranda FM, Kahn Morbee stated that the album was inspired by the band's desire to spread joy during a difficult year.