Bio
“First Impressions” was Luán Parle’s début album release after signing to Anim Records at the age of 12 following an appearance on The Late Late Toy Show.
Anim Records were looking to sell the recording contract on to an American Record label but as Parle was too young to consent to this at the time, it was decided for her to finish out her education before perusing her musical career.
The years following Parle learned her craft by performing with a band which included her brother John Parle on drums whilst perfecting her songwriting skills.
In 2002 Parle signed to Sony Music Ireland after been spotted by A & R scout Hugh Murray.
Her first single release with Sony was a Diane Warren penned cover titled “When I See You Smile” followed by a self penned single titled “More Than A Ghost”. However not satisfied with the production/arrangement Parle later went onto re record the song re titled “Ghost” stripping it back to just piano & vocals.
Parle signed to Derek MacKillop of Twenty First Artists Management & opened for Elton John during his three night stint at the London Hammersmith Appolo alongside a then unknown James Blunt. During this time she joined Blunt on his UK & Irish tour dates.
The relationship ended following a split between MacKillop & her former management.
All contributed to Parle working & writing with some of the worlds most successful songwriters & producers in the UK & US including Billy Steinberg, Chris kimsey, Stephen Lironi, & Bill Bottrell.
It was upon meeting Grammy winning producer Bottrell in Mendocino California in 2003 the two went on to write & record a collection of songs that Parle herself describes as “The Lost Sessions” which to date have never been released.
A short time later Parle resigned with Sony Ireland following a merger with BMG & in late 2006 released her next album “Free” in Ireland only. On February 01st 2007 Parle won the prestigious Meteor Award for Best Irish Female and completed the double by winning the “Irish Tatler Music Woman of the Year” award in November of the same year.
On February 8th 2008 Parle’s most successful single “Ghost” was released on download only and has gone on to become one of the biggest selling singles by an Irish artist in 2008, spending three months in the singles charts peaking at number 10.
Parle recorded “Ghost” in her native language Irish titled “Taibhse” for Ceol 08, a charity album for Bernardos which reached number 1 in the compilation Irish Album Charts & featured again on Ceol 10 which was a “Best Of” album.
Other compilations include 101 Irish Hits released in 2008 through EMI.
Parle features on the 2007 cover of Hot Press Yearbook alongside Niall Beslin from The Blizzards who she co wrote a track with from her latest album “The Full Circle”
In May also of that year she won the Most Stylish Female Award at The Big Buzz Irish Entertainment Industry Awards in Belfast and the album was shortlisted for Best Irish Album alongside Snow Patrol and Duke Special
In 2009 Parle was a judge on RTE’s childrens tv show Ice Talent Search
In 2010 Parle set up her own record label LPR Records & co produced her latest critically acclaimed album “The Full Circle” alongside musician/producer & good friend Gavin Ralston.
The album received a glowing four stars in Irish Music Bible Hot Press, was featured as RTE Radio 1’s ‘Album Of The Week’ and the lead single “Why Baby Why” featured as Ian Dempsey’s ‘Song of the week‘ on Today FM. “Why Baby Why” is the only song from the “Bottrell Sessions” to ever be released.
The video for “Why Baby Why” which was shot by Sigma Productions was nominated for Sexiest Video at the IMTV Awards.
“Sexy Sita” the second track taken from the album “The Full Circle” features on “A Womens Heart Then & Now” which has enjoyed huge success to date.
2011 was Parle’s third year to act as a Jury member on the Irish Jury Panel for the Eurovision Song Contest.
Parle is one of the directors of IASCA, Irish Association of Songwriters, Composers & Authors.
Parle continues to hold music & songwriting workshops in Primary, Secondary & Drama schools all over the country and is currently the face of Heatons Clothing & endorsed by MAC Cosmetics.
Parle is currently on tour in Ireland with plans to finally release overseas.
