Pnau

Template:Short description Template:Use Australian English Template:Use dmy dates Template:Infobox musical artist Pnau, stylised as PNAU,Template:Efn are an Australian dance music trio originating from Sydney. The trio, a duo before 2016, consists of the musicians Nick Littlemore (vocals, production), Peter Mayes (guitar, production)<ref name="Allmusic">Template:Cite web</ref> and Sam Littlemore (production), with the latter joining in 2016. Pnau first gained recognition through their 1999 debut album Sambanova, which later won an ARIA Music Awards for Best Dance Release.<ref name="AusCharts">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="ARIA2000">Template:Cite web</ref> Their third album, Pnau (2007), brought them further critical acclaim and success.<ref name="PNAU at Ministry of Sound">Template:Cite web</ref> Pnau is also recognised for a heavily publicised apprenticeship under the musician Elton John, who signed the duo after listening to the Pnau album.<ref name="Elton John signs Aussie Band PNAU">Template:Cite news</ref> Several of Pnau's later projects have had John's involvement, such as the album Soft Universe<ref name="nme.com">Template:Cite web</ref> and an album of Pnau recreations of Elton John's hits called Good Morning to the Night.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Apart from being a member of Pnau, Nick Littlemore also appears as one half of the project Empire of the Sun.<ref name="aria.com.au">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="Certified Awards Search">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="Empire of the Arias">Template:Cite web</ref> In November 2016, the new line-up released "Chameleon", the first single from their album Changa.

Biography

1990s: Beginnings

Pnau formed in Sydney, New South Wales by Littlemore and Mayes. The two met at secondary school at the age of 12 and began performing together in the mid-1990s, initially playing acid, house music, and trance music.<ref name="Allmusic"/> Littlemore recalled meeting Mayes when he was 10; "He tripped me over. We hated each other for a couple years and then we started sneaking out and going to raves when we were about 13 and we formed a bond over intense music." Littlemore and Mayes created their first album when they were in their mid-teens. "It was called Fractal Geometric Spaces Made of Light," Littlemore remembers, "Which is probably why it was never picked up."<ref name="Cosmo">Template:Cite web</ref>

The duo's first commercially available tracks were a pair of nine-minute tracks, "Frisk" and "Anthropophagi", that led off doof@cybersonic.aust.com – an underground acid trance compilation album distributed by cult electronic label Creative Vibes in 1996.<ref>Template:Citation</ref> Pnau would then feature on another Creative Vibes project, 1998's compilation record Evolutionary Vibes III: The Evolution Will Not Be Televised, with the song "Discone".<ref>Template:Citation</ref>

1999–2002: Sambanova

Template:Main In July 1999, Pnau released their debut album Sambanova under the independent label Peking Duck. It was recorded in a bedroom studio and they state they only expected it to sell "a few thousand copies".<ref name="JJJAgain">Template:Cite web</ref> The album was pulled from record stores for using uncleared samples, but re-released in June 2000 and peaked inside the ARIA top 40. In October 2000, at the ARIA Music Awards of 2000, the album won Best Dance Release. In a 2003 interview with The Age, Mayes said that they had no understanding of sample clearances due to their naïveté in the music business.<ref name="Drever">Template:Cite news</ref> Mayes claimed that the album's recall did seriously affect their commercial sales.<ref name="Drever"/> Littlemore later contested, "They screwed us over for $300,000. Warners didn't; another third party did. But that happens. We're still here, we're still doing it."<ref name="FHM">Template:Cite web</ref>

Pnau went on to make many live appearances at music festivals like Big Day Out in 2001 and Homebake in 2002. During this time, they garnered a reputation for their lively performances.<ref name="Tomas">Template:Cite news</ref>

2003–2007: Again

Template:Main In October 2003, Pnau released their second studio album, Again.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The album was not a commercial success and Littlemore was later quoted as Again being "the worst record I've ever done".<ref name="ruth">Template:Cite web</ref> Littlemore has since retracted the statement. When asked if he still considered Again to be his worst record, Littlemore responded, "Well next to Soft Universe. They're sort of on par." Littlemore further explained that his opinions are influenced by the albums' commercial success, which is an easy headspace for him to get into since "everyone loves Empire of the Sun, it's sold 1.1 million records."<ref name="FHM" /> Despite the seemingly unfavourable album response, several tracks received considerable acclaim - the most noteworthy being "We Love the Fresh Kills" which was a significantly popular single for the duo at the time.<ref name="PNAU at Ministry of Sound"/> However, because of Again's lackluster success the pair parted ways for some time to work with other artists such as Robbie Williams,<ref name="ruth"/> Van She,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and Lost Valentinos.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

2007–2009: Pnau and Empire of the Sun

Template:Main In 2007, the duo reunited and wrote over two-hundred songs together and started to lay down an entire album with Littlemore's brother Sam as producer. They sent a work-in-progress track to long-time friend and collaborator Luke Steele, who sent back the track with his own vocals. After receiving the track, the Littlemore brothers and Mayes agreed to scrap almost everything they had laid down to focus on a more vocally centred album.<ref name= "video">Template:Cite web</ref> The track became known as "With You Forever" and the finalised album was released under the self-titled name Pnau. The album not only featured vocal work from Steele and Littlemore, but also had many guest appearances such as Ladyhawke, Feadz, Nik Yannika from Lost Valentinos and Michael DeFrancesco from Van She.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The album was released to high critical acclaim<ref name="PNAU at Ministry of Sound"/> and gained unexpected favorable attention from John,<ref name="Elton John signs Aussie Band PNAU"/><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name= "rolling">Template:Cite web</ref> declaring it to be the greatest record he'd heard in ten years.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Inspired by their track "With You Forever", Pnau began work on a collaboration with Steele, which would call themselves Empire of the Sun.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Originally titled Steelemore,<ref name="rolling"/> Empire of the Sun released its debut single in August 2008 titled "Walking on a Dream" and its debut album in October 2008 with Walking on a Dream. Littlemore and Steele took the roles of bandmates, while Mayes assumed the role of producer. Some critics were quick to note that the band sounded more like a work of Pnau than Steele's band The Sleepy Jackson.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Empire of the Sun has achieved international success having been certified 2× Platinum in Australia<ref name="aria.com.au"/> and gold in the United Kingdom,<ref name="Certified Awards Search"/> as well as winning eleven ARIA awards.<ref name="Empire of the Arias"/> PNAU makes it clear on their Myspace numerous times that not only is Empire of the Sun a side project of theirs, but that they are also the producers.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Regarding Empire of the Sun, in early 2009 news began appearing that Littlemore had disappeared.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The reality had been that Nick Littlemore had left Empire of the Sun to begin work on the fourth Pnau album along with John.<ref name="nme.com"/>

2010–2011: Soft Universe

Template:Main In 2010, Pnau's track "Baby" (remixed by Breakbot) appeared in the release of Sony Computer Entertainment's "Gran Turismo 5", in the Background Music (BGM) playlist.

Pnau – Nick Littlemore (left), Peter Mayes (right) – performing at Sir Stewart Bovell Park, Busselton, January 2012.

In February 2011, Pnau released "The Truth", the lead single from their forthcoming fourth studio album, Soft Universe. Soft Universe was released in June 2011 and peaked at number 13 on the ARIA Charts. Littlemore has described it as a very "emotional" album, inspired by the breakup with his long-time girlfriend.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> With input from John, the album features Littlemore singing all the vocals on the album along with tracks co-written with fellow Aussie artist Martin Craft and producer Mark Saunders.<ref name="Nick Littlemore joins the circus">Template:Cite web</ref> The album was positively received, although mainly critics expressed discontent with the lack of the "endearing weirdness of previous Pnau and Empire releases."<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The Soft Universe album received the Australian Independent Record (AIR) Award for Best Independent Dance/Electronica Album.<ref>Template:Cite web, Australian Independent Record Labels Association Ltd (AIR), 2012</ref>

2012–2015: Good Morning to the Night

Template:Main On 10 March 2012, the first remix track from the anticipated, upcoming John rework album commissioned for Pnau was leaked, initially airing on Pete Tong's BBC Radio 1 broadcast.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In July 2012 two singles were released from the album, "Good Morning to the Night" and "Sad", while the album Good Morning to the Night was released and reaching number 1 on the UK Albums Chart.<ref name="UK"/>

In November 2013 French duo Faul & Wad Ad released "Changes" credited to, vs Pnau. The song samples Pnau's "Baby" and reached the top ten in numerous countries across Europe.

2016–2018: Changa

Template:Main In November 2016, Pnau released "Chameleon" as the lead single from the upcoming fifth studio album. The song peaked at number 4 on the ARIA Charts and was certified 4× platinum. At the ARIA Music Awards of 2017, the song won the groups their second ARIA Award for Best Dance Release. Changa was released in November 2017 and peaked at number 11 on the ARIA Charts. The album spawned two more singles "Go Bang" and "Changa". At the ARIA Music Awards of 2018, "Go Bang" won the group's third ARIA Award for Best Dance Release.

Since 2019: Hyperbolic

Template:Main The band released the single "Solid Gold" on 2 May 2019. The song continues Pnau's collaboration with Kira Divine on vocals, and also features additional vocals by Marques Toliver. The band hosted a live chat on their Facebook page to support the release. In August 2019, the band released the single "All of Us".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In December 2020, the band worked with Ladyhawke again and released the single "River".

In August 2021, Pnau produced a remix medley of several John songs along with Dua Lipa, titled "Cold Heart (Pnau remix)". The single charted in many countries worldwide, becoming their 3rd top 10 in Australia and their second in the UK, as well as their first song to chart in the US. Over the next few years, Pnau released singles with Budjerah, Troye Sivan, Khalid, Bebe Rexha and Ozuna.

In October 2023, Pnau released ""AEIOU"" with Empire of the Sun and announced the titled of their sixth studio album, Hyperbolic, released in March 2024.<ref name="aeiou">Template:Cite web</ref>

Discography

Studio albums

Title	Details	Peak chart positions
Title	Details	AUS <ref name="AUS">Peak positions in Australia For all except noted: Template:Cite web For all ARIA peaks to June 2025:Template:Cite web N.B. The High Point number in the NAT column represents the release's peak on the national chart.</ref>	NZ <ref name="AUS"/>
Sambanova	Released: July 1999 Label: Peking Duck	39	48
Again	Released: 17 October 2003 Label: Warner Music Australia	103	—
Pnau	Released: 12 November 2007 Label: etcetc	31	—
Soft Universe	Released: 22 July 2011 Label: etcetc	13	—
Changa	Released: 10 November 2017<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Label: etcetc	11	—
Hyperbolic	Released: 22 March 2024<ref name="aeiou"/> Label: etcetc	192	—
"—" denotes an album that did not chart or was not released.

Remix albums

Title	Details	Peak chart positions
Title	Details	AUS <ref name="AUS"/>	UK <ref name="UK">Template:Cite web</ref>
Good Morning to the Night (Elton John and Pnau)	Released: 13 July 2012 Label: Mercury	40	1

Singles

List of singles, with selected chart positions
Year	Title	Peak chart positions										Certifications	Album
Year	Title	AUS <ref name="AUS"/>	CAN <ref>Template:Cite web</ref>	FRA <ref>Template:Cite web</ref>	GER <ref>Template:Cite web</ref>	ITA <ref>Template:Cite web</ref>	NED <ref>Template:Cite web</ref>	NZ <ref name="NZ">Template:Cite web</ref>	SPA <ref>Template:Cite web</ref>	SWI <ref>Template:Cite web</ref>	UK <ref name="UK"/>	Certifications	Album
2000	"Need Your Lovin' Baby"	165	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—		Sambanova
2001	"Follow Me"	65	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—		Sambanova
2002	"Blood Lust"	—Template:Efn	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—		Again
2002	"Una Noche (Get Up)" (with Kid Creole and the Coconuts)	54	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—		Template:Non-album single
2003	"We Love the Fresh Kills"/"Again"	—Template:Efn	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—		Again
2004	"Enuffs Enuff"	—Template:Efn	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—		Again
2007	"Wild Strawberries"<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>	—Template:Efn	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—		Pnau
2008	"Baby"	34	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2008	"Embrace"	55	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2011	"The Truth"<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>	103	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—		Soft Universe
2011	"Solid Ground"<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>	191	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2012	"Unite Us"<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>	—Template:Efn	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—Template:Efn
	"Good Morning to the Night" (with Elton John)	71	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—		Good Morning to the Night
	"Sad" (with Elton John)	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	48		Good Morning to the Night
2013	"Changes" (Faul & Wad Ad vs. Pnau)	—	71	9	1	3	15	—	2	4	3	BPI: Platinum<ref>Template:Cite certification</ref> BVMI: Platinum<ref>Template:Cite certification</ref> FIMI: 2× Platinum<ref>Template:Cite certification</ref> IFPI: Gold<ref>Template:Cite certification</ref> MC: Platinum<ref>Template:Cite certification</ref> PROMUSICAE: Gold<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>	Changa (Deluxe)
2016	"Chameleon"	4	—	—	—	—	—	34	—	—	—	ARIA: 4× Platinum<ref name="ARIA2018">Template:Cite web</ref> RMNZ: 2× Platinum<ref name=Radioscope>Template:Cite certification</ref>	Changa
2017	"Go Bang"	9	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	ARIA: 5× Platinum<ref name=ARIA2021>Template:Cite certification</ref> RMNZ: Platinum<ref name=Radioscope/>
2018	"Changa"	151	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2019	"Solid Gold" (featuring Kira Divine and Marques Toliver)	93	—	—	—	—	—	—Template:Efn	—	—	—	ARIA: Platinum<ref name=ARIA-2020-Singles>Template:Cite certification</ref> RMNZ: Gold<ref name=Radioscope/>	Hyperbolic
2019	"All of Us" (featuring Ollie Gabriel)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>	140	—	—	—	—	—	—Template:Efn	—	—	—		rowspan="2" Template:Non-album singles
2020	"Lucky" (with Vlossom)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2020	"River" (with Ladyhawke)	—	—	—	—	—	—	—Template:Efn	—	—	—		Hyperbolic
2021	"Stranger Love" (with Budjerah)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>	—	—	—	—	—	—	—Template:Efn	—	—			Template:Non-album single
2022	"You Know What I Need" (with Troye Sivan)	—	—	—	—	—	—	—Template:Efn	—	—	—		Hyperbolic
2023	"The Hard Way" (with Khalid)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>	—	—	—	—	—	34	—Template:Efn	—	—
	"Stars" (with Bebe Rexha and Ozuna)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>	—	—	—	—	—	—	—Template:Efn	—	—
	"AEIOU" (with Empire of the Sun)<ref name="aeiou"/>	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2024	"All Your Energy" (featuring Ollie Gabriel)	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—		Template:Non-album single
	"Nostalgia"<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—		Hyperbolic
	"The Feeling" (with Rudimental, 1991 and AR/CO)	_	_	_	_	_	_	_	_	_	_		Rudim3ntal
2025	"Light Me Up" (with Kungs)	_	_	_	_	_	_	_	_	_	_
"—" denotes a single that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Notes Template:Notelist-ua

Promotional singles

Year	Title	Album
2012	"Everybody"	Soft Universe
2017	"Young Melody" (featuring Vera Blue)<ref name="25 August">Template:Cite web</ref>	Changa
	"Into the Sky"<ref name="25 August"/>
	"Control Your Body"<ref name="25 August"/>

Notable remixes

List of notable remixes, with selected chart positions
Year	Title	Peak chart positions										Certifications	Album
Year	Title	AUS <ref name="AUS"/>	CAN	FRA	GER	NED	NZ <ref>Template:Cite web</ref>	SWE	UK <ref name="UK"/>	US <ref name="US">Template:Cite magazine</ref>	WW <ref name="Global 200">Template:Cite magazine</ref>	Certifications	Album
2021	"Cold Heart (Pnau remix)" (with Elton John and Dua Lipa)	1 <ref>Template:Cite web</ref>	1	9	3	2	1	5	1	7	3	ARIA: 12× Platinum<ref name="ARIA24s">Template:Cite certification</ref> BPI: 3× Platinum<ref>Template:Cite certification</ref> BMVI: 3× Gold<ref>Template:Cite certification</ref> GLF: 3× Platinum<ref>Template:Cite certification</ref> MC: 7× Platinum<ref>Template:Cite certification</ref> RMNZ: 8× Platinum<ref name=Radioscope/> SNEP: Diamond<ref>Template:Cite certification</ref>	The Lockdown Sessions

Awards and nominations

AIR Awards

ARIA Awards

APRA Awards

The APRA Awards are held in Australia and New Zealand by the Australasian Performing Right Association to recognise songwriting skills, sales and airplay performance by its members annually.

Berlin Music Video Awards

The Berlin Music Video Awards is a festival that promotes the art of music videos.


Year	Nominee/Work	Award	Result
2023	You Know What I Need	Best Experimental	Nominated

J Award

The J Awards are an annual series of Australian music awards that were established by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's youth-focused radio station Triple J. They commenced in 2005. Template:Awards table |- | 2007<ref name="2007winner">Template:Cite web</ref> |Pnau | Australian Album of the Year | Template:Nom Template:End

MTV Europe Music Awards

National Live Music Awards

The National Live Music Awards (NLMAs) commenced in 2016 to recognise contributions to the live music industry in Australia. Template:Awards table |- | 2019<ref name="2019noms">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="2019wins">Template:Cite web</ref> | Pnau | Live Electronic Act (or DJ) of the Year | Template:Nom |- Template:End

Rolling Stone Australia Awards

The Rolling Stone Australia Awards are awarded annually in January or February by the Australian edition of Rolling Stone magazine for outstanding contributions to popular culture in the previous year.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Template:Awards table ! Template:Abbr |- | 2022 | Pnau | Rolling Stone Global Award | Template:Nom |<ref name="RSA2022">Template:Cite web</ref> |- Template:End

Notes

Template:Notelist

References

Template:Reflist

External links

Template:Official website

Template:Pnau

Template:Authority control