John von Ahlen

Last updated

John von Ahlen
Born (1968-06-26) 26 June 1968 (age 55)
Origin Melbourne, Australia
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Singer
  • musician
  • songwriter
Years active1993–present
Labels

John von Ahlen (born 26 September 1968) is an Australian musician, producer, vocalist, and instrumentalist based in Melbourne. He is the lead vocalist of the electronic pop and synthwave band Parralox, formed in 2008. [1] [2] Parralox caught the attention of the international EDM community within the same year. [3] [4] He has been additionally involved in other music projects, such as The Sound of the Crowd. [5] and The Tenth Stage. [6] Von Ahlen also hosts Neon Nights on Joy 94.9, Australia's largest LGBTIQ radio station. [7] He is also an animal rights activist. [8]

Contents

Early life

John von Ahlen is based in Melbourne, Australia and he was born on 26 September 1968. [9] [10] As a child, he explored music, taking up both the saxophone and clarinet; by high school his focus had switched to piano and synthesisers. [11]

Career

Early music career

His first band, Nova, was signed to Sirius Music records via Sony Dancepool Australia in 1993. John signed to a publishing deal with Mushroom Records after co-writing tracks with Gina G for the album "BC Nation" by Australian pop act "Bass Culture". [12] The track "Love Will Find A Way" from "BC Nation" was subsequently used in the Australian TV Soap Opera "Home and Away".

Film, television, and music videos

In 2000, John von Ahlen co-wrote and produced the song Get Tzatziki With It for the 2000 Australian comedy film The Wog Boy (starring Australian actor Nick Giannopoulos). [13] He also contributed to other motion picture soundtracks including Happy Endings Sleepover, Mangus!, and Fat Girls. [14]

In 2003, John von Ahlen produced the theme music for the Australian light entertainment television programme Rove Live, and he additionally composed and produced the theme music for the television comedy programs Skithouse and Before the Game. [13]

John von Ahlen has directed and produced numerous music videos, with over 3 million views for his work with Parralox. In 1997, producer John Von Ahlen of Subterrane Recording Studio created an unofficial video for The Human League single "Stay With Me Tonight" that was distributed on the internet. The von Ahlen video utilized animated stills using 3dfx and Version 4.2 of Adobe Premiere. It has now become the de facto music video for the track. [15]

Collaborations

While managed by Jaime Jimenez, John von Ahlen formed the production company "Planet J" and produced, remixed and co-wrote on many projects including the 2000 Australian comedy film The Wog Boy and collaborating with artists Emmanuel Carella, Chrissa, Jimmy Christo, X3, and Girl Friday. [13]

John von Ahlen also collaborated with Ean Sugarman (of the Australian pop act Euphoria) [13] and they produced and remixed for artists including Lani Zaitman, [13] Melissa James [13] and Dara. [13]

John von Ahlen produced the track Somebody (Is Out There) for Paul Lekakis, known for his 80s hit Boom Boom (Let's Go Back to My Room).

John von Ahlen and Jiminez also formed the short lived dance project "Mr Jones" which was signed to Sony Music Australia, and released the single "Better Days" in 2002, and the "Big Adventure" in 2003 which featured Belinda Emmett on lead vocals. [16]

John von Ahlen has also contributed vocals to the English synth project Sound of Science, [17] as well as the Australian electronic music label Clan Analogue. [18]

In 2018 John von Ahlen produced the single "Fly Me To The Moon" for the Australian trans-human performer "Venus Virgin Tomarz", released on his label Subterrane Records. [13]

Parralox

Despite his successful career producing music for other artists, he felt the need to make music for himself – leading him to form the dark and gothic steampunk band The Tenth Stage. [19] He soon started venturing more towards pop music. [19] In 2008, he created the electronic pop and synthwave band Parralox, which has performed internationally and had international chart success on the U.S. Billboard Hot Dance/Club Charts, the UK Upfront Club Chart Top 40 and the Official UK Music Week Commercial Pop Top 30. Notable contributors to Parralox include Jane Badler, Marcella Detroit, and Ian Burden (The Human League). Influences on Paralox include Stuart Price, Trevor Horn, and Goldfrapp. [18]

Neon Nights

John von Ahlen is the host of Neon Nights on Joy 94.9, Australia's largest LGBTIQ radio station. He has interviewed numerous artists on Neon Nights including Dannii Minogue, [20] Róisín Murphy, [21] Tina Arena, [22] Stonebridge, [23] CeCe Peniston, [24] Bright Light Bright Light, Sheena Easton, [25] The Pointer Sisters, [26] Kim Wilde, [27] Limahl, [28] Vince Clarke of Erasure, [29] Midge Ure of Ultravox, [30] Peter Hook of New Order, [31] Mi-Sex, [32] The Dandy Warhols, [33] Martika, [34] Paul Lekakis, [35] Crystal Waters, [36] Whigfield, [37] Marcella Detroit, [38] Marcia Hines, [39] Howard Jones, [40] Tina Cousins, [41] Corona, Culture Beat, [42] and Billie Ray Martin. [43]

Discography

Parralox

The Tenth Stage

Songwriting and production

YearArtistTitleCredits
1993Suzie Ahern / Bass CultureLove Will Find a WayCo-written with Gina G and John Collins
1993 Gina G/Bass CultureI'll Make You HappyCo-written with Gina G and John Collins
1993JVA Project ft. DebbieFlashdanceProducer
1994NovaReach MeProducer

Co-written with Lilia Auzou

1994DiscotronSpacelineProducer

Co-written with D. Robinson

1994Felice ArenaBetter than HeavenProducer
1994World of IllusionDekonstructProducer
1994DiscotronNice'n'Sleazy-SpacelineProducer

Co-written with D. Robinson

1994Lani ZaitmanEctsasyCo-produced with Ean Sugarman
1994Melissa JamesBaby Come BackCo-produced with Ean Sugarman
1995Suzie AhernLove Will Find a WayCo-written with Gina G and John Collins
1995DiscotronStomperProducer

Co-written with D. Robinson

1995NovaSexotechno Vol Two - Reach MeCo-produced with Ean Sugarman

Co-written with Lilia Auzou

1995DaraLast DanceCo-produced with Ean Sugarman
1996NovaHit News Vol 7. Reach MeProducer

Co-written with Lilia Auzou

1996NovaMagicProducer

Co-written with Lilia Auzou

1997DiscotronSTOMPERProducer

Co-written with D. Robinson

1997DiscotronDancemision - Antimatter WorldProducer

Co-written with D. Robinson

1997NovaPlanet EarthProducer
1997NovaSole SoleProducer

Co-writer

1998Peter WilsonMama Told MeProducer
1999NovaOh LamourProducer
2000VariousClub PumpinMastered By
2000Jimmy ChristoRainbow EyesCo-written with Jimmy Christo
2000Planet J Get Tzatziki With It Co-produced with Jaime Jimenez

Co-written with Jaime Jimenez and Nick Giannopoulos

2001ChrissaSecret LifeCo-written with Jaime Jimenez, Mary-Anne Mercuri, and Jodie Jimenez-Lyons
2001X3Girl Like meRemixer
2001Girl FridayBoxCo-produced with Jaime Jimenez
2002Rove...Some More MusicCo-written with Jaime Jimenez, Rove McManus, Craig Campbell, and Belinda Emmett
2002Mr. JonesBetter DaysCo-produced with Jaime Jimenez
2003John von Ahlen, Jaime JimenezBefore the Game aka After the Game TV themeProducer

Co-written with Jaime Jimenez

2003John von Ahlen, Jaime Jimenez, Andrew FurzeSkithouse TV ThemeCo-written with Jaime Jimenez and Andrew Furze
2003 Belinda Emmett Big AdventureCo-produced with Jaime Jimenez
2003June 13Shoot the White SheriffCo-produced with Jaime Jimenez
2003RevolvaTragic BeautyCo-produced with Jaime Jimenez
2003Emmanuel CarellaDon't Say a WordCo-produced with Jaime Jimenez
2003Emmanuel CarellaRun to MeCo-produced with Jaime Jimenez

[13]

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References

  1. ↑ Buljeta, Marija (28 February 2016). "John von Ahlen talks about Parralox". Altvenger. Retrieved 22 January 2022.
  2. ↑ Koury, Jim (21 December 2019). "Parralox Releases New Album "Genesis" and New Single". Diversity Rules Magazine.
  3. ↑ Poet, J. (February 2013). "Parralox". SomaMagazine.com. Retrieved 7 May 2015.
  4. ↑ Hunt, David (13 October 2021). "The Art Hunter | Ep 17 | John Von Ahlen | A Musical Artist With a Difference | NOW LIVE". The Art Hunter. Retrieved 26 January 2022.
  5. ↑ "From Australia with Love: The Parralox Interview". Cold War Night Life. 17 February 2014.
  6. ↑ Eliasson, Tobias (12 June 2009). "Parralox - Release Music Magazine Spotlight". www.releasemagazine.net. Retrieved 26 January 2022.
  7. ↑ Smith, Christopher (29 November 2018). "FRESH: 'Paradise' – Parralox featuring Marcella Detroit". Talk About Pop Music. Retrieved 22 January 2022.
  8. ↑ Inciarte, Gustavo (20 November 2013). "Parralox Sets Their Sights High With ?Eye in the Sky?". Queer Me Up. Retrieved 22 January 2022.
  9. ↑ "John von Ahlen 'Parralox'". 10 April 2015.
  10. ↑ "Time (Dark Version V6 Chi-Tau), by Parralox".
  11. ↑ "Parralox Sets Their Sights High With "Eye In The Sky"". Top40-Charts.com.
  12. ↑ "EILE Magazine - Issue 07 (December 2013) by EILE Magazine - Issuu". issuu.com. 4 December 2013.
  13. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "Discography".
  14. ↑ https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5595945/ [ user-generated source ]
  15. ↑ "Show 142 / The Human League - Part 1". Neon Nights. 8 September 2018. Retrieved 22 January 2022.
  16. ↑ "PARRALOX - Metropolis". The Electricity Club. 25 November 2010. Retrieved 22 January 2022.
  17. ↑ Frenken, Thomas. "Sound Of Science - Pain (Feat. John von Ahlen) • Electrozombies" . Retrieved 23 January 2022.
  18. 1 2 "John von Ahlen | Clan Analogue". 10 October 2017.
  19. 1 2 "Parralox Releases New Album "Genesis" and New Single". 21 December 2019.
  20. ↑ "Show 201 - Dannii Minogue - The Interview Part 1". Neon Nights. 4 July 2020. Retrieved 26 January 2022.
  21. ↑ "Show 223 - Roisin Murphy Interview". 17 December 2020.
  22. ↑ "Show 138 / Tina Arena Interview". Neon Nights. 12 August 2018.
  23. ↑ "Neon Nights - Interview with StoneBridge". Neon Nights. 21 August 2015.
  24. ↑ "Show 150 / CeCe Peniston Interview". Neon Nights. 4 November 2018.
  25. ↑ "Show 016 / Sheena Easton Interview". Neon Nights. 18 October 2015.
  26. ↑ "Show 198 - Pointer Sisters Interview". Neon Nights. 12 June 2020.
  27. ↑ "Show 197 - Kim Wilde Interview". Neon Nights. 6 June 2020.
  28. ↑ "Show 044 / Limahl Interview Part 1". Neon Nights. 11 May 2016.
  29. ↑ "Show 200 - Erasure / Vince Clarke Interview". Neon Nights.
  30. ↑ "Show 081 / Midge Ure Interview - Part 1". Neon Nights. 10 March 2017.
  31. ↑ "Show 101 / Peter Hook Interview - Part 2". Neon Nights. 12 October 2017.
  32. ↑ "Show 039 / Mi-Sex Interview". Neon Nights. 2 April 2016.
  33. ↑ "Show 041 / The Dandy Warhols Interview". Neon Nights. 16 April 2016.
  34. ↑ "Martika (2014 Interview)". JOY Music Highlights. 7 June 2014.
  35. ↑ "Paul Lekakis". JOYful Days. 29 January 2016.
  36. ↑ "Show 199 - Crystal Waters Interview". Neon Nights. 19 June 2020.
  37. ↑ "Show 067 / Whigfield aka Sannie Interview". Neon Nights. 16 November 2016.
  38. ↑ "Marcella Detroit (Extended Podcast Exclusive)". Sound Museum. 8 September 2015.
  39. ↑ "Intimately Marcia Hines". Word for Word. 27 February 2016.
  40. ↑ "20 Howard Jones - Like To Get To Know You Well". Neon Nights.
  41. ↑ "Show 051 / Tina Cousins Interview". Neon Nights. 29 June 2016.
  42. ↑ "Show 033 / Culture Beat Interview". Neon Nights. 19 February 2016.
  43. ↑ "Show 038 / Billie Ray Martin Interview". Neon Nights. 26 March 2016.
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