Biography

Multi award-winning PARISSA BOUAS is one of the most versatile and accomplished vocalists on the Australia folk scene today. 

Born into a mixed Greek-Australian household, PARISSA began performing professionally: singing, dancing and acting at age 13. 

After a year in Latin America picking coffee for the Nicaraguan revolution, learning Spanish and touring with Andean folkloric group, ‘Raices del Peru’, PARISSA returned to study music at Southern Cross University, majoring in voice and graduating with awards.

PARISSA has independently co-produced four albums to date, including the NCEIA- Best Album Award winning - ‘A Small World’ (1994),  ‘The Voice of Your Heart’ (1998) and 2004's magical “Turn Back the Tide” , together with her long time writing partner, Carl Cleves as THE HOTTENTOTS.  In 2010 they released a new album for the cult German Audiophile label Stockfisch Records.

Although THE HOTTENTOTS are well-known in Australia, PARISSA’S captivating performances and her gorgeous blend of traditional and original vocal stylings have recently been enchanting audiences in Germany, Belgium and Brazil, where the press named her “Patativa” after a bird famous for its singing. 

THE HOTTENTOTS first release in Australia, ‘A  Small World’ (1994), a unique collection of original and reworked traditional pieces, received accolades for its originality, passion and first introduced us to PARISSA’S “exuberant and sexy voice”.  The album won numerous awards including: NCEIA – Album of the Year, Best Acoustic Music and Best Folk/World Song.

In the following years, Australian audiences have been able to witness the continuing artistic development of this unique musical duo.  PARISSA’S versatile voice was showcased with raucous Brazilian forros, heartfelt ballads and pygmy inspired acapella pieces.

THE HOTTENTOTS 4th album, ‘Turn Back the Tide ‘ (2004) was awarded and nominated for various awards – Best Folk Song 2004 ASA, Album of the Year 2004 NCEIA and Best Folk Song 2005 AUSMUSIC, ABC Fresh Air Award 2004.

Several tracks from these albums have been included in various compilations such as ABC’s “The Moving Breeze”, Oracle Records “Where to Now”, Trad & Now’s “Tapestry vol.1” and many others.

PARISSA’S work has been repeatedly featured on national radio to high acclaim.  During one of THE HOTTENTOTS live radio performances, broadcaster Philip Adams exclaimed,

“Parissa has a voice that would aggravate angels with its beauty”.

PARISSA is also a sought after session singer: for jingles (2UE), corporate videos and film.

Some Performance Career Highlights

– not including awards

1988

Lead singer for  headlining salsa band, ‘Espiritu’ at the ‘Closing Ceremony of the Bicentennial Celebrations,’ Darling Harbour in front of 1 million people.

1989

*support for Dizzy Gillespie in Sydney’s Entertainment Centre, with ‘Espiritu’

*member of Sydney acappella group, ‘Voices from the Vacant Lot’

1991 – ‘95

Casino Centenary Award winning graduate of the BA (Contemporary Music) SCU

1998  1st Europe & Brazil tour - THE HOTTENTOTS

1999Opened Woodford Festival Fire Event with her song, ‘My Spirit’.

2000  co-wrote the anthemic, ‘ Put Your Hand in Mine’ for the Woodford Festival Millennium Fire Event Choir of 700 voices, which PARISSA conducted.  The performance before a crowd of 20,000 was beamed across Australia on ABC ‘Today 2000’ and to 1.6 billion people in 61 countries.

2003Playing Australia Grant to tour Australia with THE HOTTENTOTS

20043rd European tour with THE HOTTENTOTS

20054th European tour with THE HOTTENTOTS

           

2006  Madagascar performance with Tarika

          Brisbane Town Hall and Dorrigo Folk Festival

2007   5th European Tour with THE HOTTENTOTS

2008   6th European Tour with  THE HOTTENTOTS                     

           recording Stockfisch Records in Germany

2009   Created DIASPORA LATINA  pursuing her long time her love affair with Afro Latin music. Headlined at NFF.

Toured NZ with THE HOTTENTOTS.

2010   7th European tour with THE HOTTENTOTS                to promote the Stockfisch record. 

2011 8th European tour and 2nd CD recorded for Stockfisch Records

          

I BELONG HERE - a Greek/Hip Hop track written and recorded with Sydney composer Nicolette Boaz’s for her new CD “HYPNOPAEDIA”, examines the Greek Australian experience and belonging themes. Part of a CD project with other ethnic/Australian singer/songwriters-OUT NOW

Future plans

NEW SOLO CD: Parissa is  slowly making her first solo CD, with Dutch trio Big Low.

sing

live in Belgium

Photos

Reviews

“somehow Bouas’s vocals, which are sweet, rich and soaring, actually reach beyond the usual folk stylings”

Bruce Elder, SMH

“Parissa Bouas’s incandescent voice is heartfelt, and the hymnal chorus, no less than exultant.”

Robbie Gerson AUDIOFILE AUDITION

“As always Parissa proves she is a singer with few equals in this country.  Try to imagine anyone else tackling the Cesaria Evora masterpiece Sodade, the only cover here, and pulling it off in such a beautifully soulful fashion without sounding imitative.” 

Richard Jasituowicz

DIASPORA World Beat Magazine

“Parissa’s  sublime vocal on “I’ll Be with you Tonight” stand out. I’d also strongly recommend their energetic and passionate live performances for any budding      performer.”

Debra Manskey,

Australian Songwriter Mag.Sept 04

“catching your breath at the beauty of voices like Parissa’s from The Hottentots...”

Megan Rowe festival review - Trad and Now Magazine 08

“Here, as on all the Hottentots releases, Parissa’s superb vocals… seem capable of finding an emotional context for every genre…’”

Richard Jasiutowicz,

Diaspora Worldbeat magazine 2002

“The material on Turn Back the Tide shows the variety of genres the Hottentots are quite comfortable with…Standout tracks: (3) The Bethlehem Bell Ringer and (12) The Coniston Massacre. They show off Parissa’s wonderful ability to create a great vocal and yet sell a challenging story.”  

Ian Paulin, Indie CD’s

“Parissa’s outstanding vocals alternate between a tone that would cut glass, and breathy seduction”

James Rigby

Folk Alliance Australia Mag 2001

‘Sad Eyes’ - Parissa Bouas

Live @ Byron Vista Social Club 2007

Mother’s Song -recorded 2010 for Stockfisch Records

LISTEN