Pnau

Template:Short description Template:Use dmy dates Template:Use Australian English Template:Template otherTemplate:Main otherTemplate:Main other Pnau, stylised as PNAU,Template:Efn is 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) 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. Their third album, Pnau (2007), brought them further critical acclaim and success. Pnau is also recognised for a heavily publicised apprenticeship under the musician Elton John, who signed the duo after listening to the Pnau album. Several of Pnau's later projects have had John's involvement, such as the album Soft Universe and an album of Pnau recreations of Elton John's hits called Good Morning to the Night.

Apart from being a member of Pnau, Nick Littlemore also appears as one half of the project Empire of the Sun. 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. 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."

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. 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".

1999–2002: Sambanova

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". 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. Mayes claimed that the album's recall did seriously affect their commercial sales. 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."

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.

2003–2007: Again

In October 2003, Pnau released their second studio album, Again. The album was not a commercial success and Littlemore was later quoted as Again being "the worst record I've ever done". 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." 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. However, because of Again's lackluster success the pair parted ways for some time to work with other artists such as Robbie Williams, Van She, and Lost Valentinos.

2007–2009: Pnau and Empire of the Sun

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. 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. The album was released to high critical acclaim and gained unexpected favorable attention from John, declaring it to be the greatest record he'd heard in ten years.

Inspired by their track "With You Forever", Pnau began work on a collaboration with Steele, which would call themselves Empire of the Sun. Originally titled Steelemore, 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. Empire of the Sun has achieved international success having been certified 2× Platinum in Australia and gold in the United Kingdom, as well as winning eleven ARIA awards. 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. Regarding Empire of the Sun, in early 2009 news began appearing that Littlemore had disappeared. The reality had been that Nick Littlemore had left Empire of the Sun to begin work on the fourth Pnau album along with John.

2010–2011: Soft Universe

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.

Upper body shot of Pnau performing. Nick Littlemore is shown in right profile, he is holding a microphone in his right hand and singing with his eyes closed. He wears a dark blue shirt, dark pants. At his right hip in his belt is an electronic device. Peter Mayes is partly obscured, he leans in close to Littlemore. Mayes is singing and playing a 12-string guitar with his left hand high on the fret board. His right hand holds the guitar pick as he strums the strings. His eyes are open and looking at Littlemore.

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. 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. The album was positively received, although mainly critics expressed discontent with the lack of the "endearing weirdness of previous Pnau and Empire releases." The Soft Universe album received the Australian Independent Record (AIR) Award for Best Independent Dance/Electronica Album.

2012–2015: Good Morning to the Night

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. 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.

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

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.

2019–present: Hyperbolic

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". 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.

Discography

Studio albums

Title	Details	Peak chart positions
		AUS	NZ
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 Label: etcetc	11	—
Hyperbolic	Released: 22 March 2024 Label: etcetc	192	—
"—" denotes an album that did not chart or was not released.

Remix albums

Title	Details	Peak chart positions
		AUS	UK
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
		AUS	CAN	FRA	GER	ITA	NED	NZ	SPA	SWI	UK
2000	"Need Your Lovin' Baby"	165	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—		Sambanova
2001	"Follow Me"	65	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2002	"Blood Lust"	—Template:Efn	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—		Again
	"Una Noche (Get Up)" (with Kid Creole and the Coconuts)	54	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—		Non-album single
2003	"We Love The Fresh Kills"/"Again"	—Template:Efn	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—		Again
2004	"Enuffs Enuff"	—Template:Efn	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2007	"Wild Strawberries"	—Template:Efn	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—		Pnau
2008	"Baby"	34	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
	"Embrace"	55	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2011	"The Truth"	103	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—		Soft Universe
	"Solid Ground"	191	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2012	"Unite Us"	—Template:Efn	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—Template:Efn
	"Good Morning to the Night" (with Elton John)	71	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—		Good Morning to the Night
	"Sad" (with Elton John)	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	48
2013	"Changes" (Faul & Wad Ad vs. Pnau)	—	71	9	1	3	15	—	2	4	3	BPI: Platinum BVMI: Platinum FIMI: 2× Platinum IFPI: Gold MC: Platinum PROMUSICAE: Gold	Changa (Deluxe)
2016	"Chameleon"	4	—	—	—	—	—	34	—	—	—	ARIA: 4× Platinum RMNZ: 2× Platinum	Changa
2017	"Go Bang"	9	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	ARIA: 5× Platinum RMNZ: Platinum
2018	"Changa"	151	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2019	"Solid Gold" (featuring Kira Divine and Marques Toliver)	93	—	—	—	—	—	—Template:Efn	—	—	—	ARIA: Platinum RMNZ: Gold	Hyperbolic
	"All of Us" (featuring Ollie Gabriel)	140	—	—	—	—	—	—Template:Efn	—	—	—		rowspan ="2" Template:Non-album single
2020	"Lucky" (with Vlossom)	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
	"River" (with Ladyhawke)	—	—	—	—	—	—	—Template:Efn	—	—	—		Hyperbolic
2021	"Stranger Love" (with Budjerah)	—	—	—	—	—	—	—Template:Efn	—	—			Template:Non-album single
2022	"You Know What I Need" (with Troye Sivan)	—	—	—	—	—	—	—Template:Efn	—	—	—		Hyperbolic
2023	"The Hard Way" (with Khalid)	—	—	—	—	—	34	—Template:Efn	—	—
	"Stars" (with Bebe Rexha and Ozuna)	—	—	—	—	—	—	—Template:Efn	—	—
	"AEIOU" (with Empire of the Sun)	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2024	"All Your Energy" (featuring Ollie Gabriel)	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—		Template:Non-album single
	"Nostalgia"	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—		Hyperbolic
"—" 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)	Changa
	"Into the Sky"
	"Control Your Body"

Notable remixes

List of notable remixes, with selected chart positions

Year	Title	Peak chart positions										Certifications	Album
		AUS	CAN	FRA	GER	NED	NZ	SWE	UK	US	WW
2021	"Cold Heart (Pnau remix)" (with Elton John and Dua Lipa)	1	1	9	3	2	1	5	1	7	3	ARIA: 12× Platinum BPI: 3× Platinum BMVI: 3× Gold GLF: 3× Platinum MC: 7× Platinum RMNZ: 8× Platinum SNEP: Diamond	The Lockdown Sessions

Awards and nominations

AIR Awards

The Australian Independent Record Awards (commonly known informally as AIR Awards) is an annual awards night to recognise, promote and celebrate the success of Australia's Independent Music sector. Template:Awards table ! Ref. |- | rowspan="2" | 2011 |Soft Universe | Best Independent Dance/Electronic Album | Template:Won | rowspan="2" | |- | "Solid Ground" | Best Independent Dance/Electronic Single | Template:Nom |- | rowspan="2" | 2018 |Changa | Best Independent Dance/Electronic Album | Template:Won | rowspan="2" | |- | "Go Bang" | rowspan="2" | Best Independent Dance/Electronic Single | Template:Won |- | 2020 |"Solid Gold" | Template:Nom | |- | 2021 | "River" (featuring Ladyhawke) | rowspan="3" | Best Independent Dance, Electronica or Club Single | Template:Nom | |- | 2022 | "Stranger Love" (with Budjerah) | Template:Nom | |- | 2023 | "You Know What I Need" (with Troye Sivan) | Template:Nom | |- | 2024 | Pnau | Independent Producer of the Year | Template:Nom | |- | rowspan="1"| 2025 | Hyperbolic | Best Independent Dance or Electronica Album or EP | Template:Nom | rowspan="1"| |-

|}

ARIA Awards

The ARIA Music Awards is an annual awards ceremony held by the Australian Recording Industry Association. They commenced in 1987. Pnau have won 3 awards from 17 nominations. Template:Awards table |- | 2000 | Sambanova | rowspan="2" | Best Dance Release | Template:Won |- | rowspan="2"| 2008 | Pnau | Template:Nom |- | "Baby" (James Littlemore) | Best Video | Template:Nom |- | 2011 | Soft Universe | rowspan="2" | Best Dance Release | Template:Nom |- | rowspan="2"| 2017 | rowspan="2"| "Chameleon" | Template:Won |- | Song of the Year | Template:Nom |- | rowspan="7"| 2018 | Changa | Album of the Year | Template:Nom |- |rowspan="4"| "Go Bang" | Best Group | Template:Nom |- | Best Dance Release | Template:Won |- | Best Independent Release | Template:Nom |- | Song of the Year | Template:Nom |- | Toby Pike and Nick Littlemore - Pnau "Go Bang" | Best Video | Template:Nom |- | Pnau Changa Australian Tour | Best Australian Live Act | Template:Nom |- | rowspan="2"| 2019 | "Solid Gold" | Best Dance Release | Template:Nom |- | Clemens Habicht - "Solid Gold" | rowspan="2" | Best Video | Template:Nom |- | rowspan="2"| 2020 | Imogen Grist, Nick Littlemore for "Lucky" (featuring Vlossom) | Template:Nom |- | All of Us Australian Tour | Best Australian Live Act | Template:Nom |- | 2023 | "You Know What I Need" (with Troy Sivan) | Best Dance/Electronic Release | Template:Nominated |-

|}

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.

Template:Awards table |- | rowspan="2"| 2018 | rowspan="2"| "Chameleon" | Dance Work of the Year | Template:Nom |- | Most Played Australian Work | Template:Nom |- | rowspan="2"| 2019 | rowspan="2"| "Go Bang" | Dance Work of the Year | Template:Nom |- | Most Played Australian Work | Template:Nom |- | 2020 | "Solid Gold" | rowspan="3" | Most Performed Dance Work of the Year | Template:Nom |- | 2021 | "All of Us" (featuring Ollie Gabriel) | Template:Nom |- | 2022 | "River" (featuring Ladyhawke) | Template:Nom |- | 2024 | rowspan="1"| "You Know What I Need" (featuring Troye Sivan) | Most Performed Dance/Electronic Work | Template:Nom |- | 2025 | rowspan="1"| "AEIOU" (featuring Empire of the Sun) | Most Performed Dance/Electronic Work | Template:Nom |-

|}

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 |Pnau | Australian Album of the Year | Template:Nom

|}

MTV Europe Music Awards

The MTV Europe Music Awards is an award presented by Viacom International Media Networks to honour artists and music in pop culture. Template:Awards table |- | 2017 | themselves | Best Australian Act | Template:Nom |-

|}

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 | Pnau | Live Electronic Act (or DJ) of the Year | Template:Nom |-

|}

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. Template:Awards table ! Ref. |- | 2022 | Pnau | Rolling Stone Global Award | Template:Nom | |-

|}

External links

• Template:Official website