the story.
In the heart of the small mountain town of Lake Arrowhead, California, a young Alexander Parlee dreamed not of the stage, but of sketching worlds with ink and paper. At 18, he left home to chase a career in illustration, but fate had other plans. With nothing more than a guitar and a restless spirit, he started strumming in the college quad, unknowingly setting the stage for a career that would take him from curbside daydreams to the spotlight of legendary venues.
His first gig at LA’s legendary venue The Viper Room, was straight out of a rock-and-roll coming-of-age movie. Too young to even hang out inside, Parlee stood outside, nerves buzzing, until it was time to take the stage. The moment his final chord rang out, he was right back on the curb—one song deeper into his destiny.
It didn’t take long before Parlee formed his own indie rock outfit, simply titled Parlee. The band wasted no time trying to carve out a name for themselves, earning spots on bills at The Whiskey A Go Go, The Mint, Hotel Cafe, The Viper Room, and the House of Blues. Momentum turned to fire as they opened for icons like Robin Zander (Cheap Trick), Max Collins (Eve 6), The Plain White T’s, and Cody Simpson. Soon, they were invited to play at the 50th Anniversary of The Whiskey A Go Go and world renowned music festival South by Southwest, proving that Parlee wasn’t just another band—it was a force. Back Beat Seattle took notice, proclaiming, "Talented... Will go far."
But, as rock stories often go, the ride wasn’t meant to last. In 2015, the band dissolved, and Parlee found himself in the wilderness, stepping away from music altogether.
Then, in 2019, the fire rekindled. His debut solo single, “Out of Slumber,” landed like a declaration. That October, he followed up with “As Long As You Need Me,” a track that caught the attention of Music Choice and A&R Factory, which praised his “sun-soaked blues guitars” and “warm tonality,” likening his sound to Elliott Smith and Nick Drake.
By 2021, Parlee was making waves again with “See You In The Rain,” released under Ayra Recordings. The song’s remix by UK electronic artist Danny Stubbs even caught the ear of legendary producer and DJ Paul Oakenfold, a nod that signaled Parlee was onto something.
September 2022 saw Parlee featured in Authority Magazine’s Rising Music Star series, where he pulled back the curtain on his journey. But the real turning point came in March 2023 at The Hotel Cafe, where a chance meeting with singer-songwriter Emily Laliotis and violinist Madeleine Watson sparked something electric. The trio decided to jam, and after just a few sessions, it was clear: this wasn’t just a collaboration—it was a band. They found bassist Ben Simmons, an Irish poet with a deep groove, and with one fateful late afternoon rehearsal in Pasadena, Alexander Parlee & The Ellipses was born.
Wasting no time, they dropped their debut single, “Fade To Black,” in June 2023, marking a shift to an indie folk sound rich with storytelling and raw emotion. The buzz kept building. In December, they landed a slot opening for American Salvage with Charlie Colin and Scott Underwood of the band Train. February 2024 saw Parlee appear as a guest on the online interview series and game show Portal One.
Then came April 2024 and “Raised In The Woods,” a single and music video reflecting on Parlee’s childhood—a hauntingly poetic piece that solidified the band’s identity. Their momentum didn’t go unnoticed, earning them invitations to play at the 2023 Orange County Fair and The San Diego County Fair, with a return slot booked for 2024.
November 2024 brought another career milestone: a spot at the renowned songwriter showcase Open Folk. That opened the door for Parlee to take part in their Bob Dylan Tribute show in December, where his voice joined a chorus of incredible local legends paying homage to the folk icon.
Now, the band is gearing up for their next chapter. March 2025 will see the release of their third single, “Front Porch Revival.” And this is just the beginning. With several more singles in the pipeline—including a song for a short film set to release in 2026—Alexander Parlee & The Ellipses are proving that their story is still being written, one hauntingly beautiful song at a time.
