Lo-Tel

Infobox musical artist
Name = Lo-Tel


Img_capt =
Background = group_or_band
Origin = Sydney, Australia
Genre = Pop rock
Years_active = 1997-2003
Label = Murmur Records
Associated_acts = Betamax
URL =
Current_members = Luke Hannigan
Dave Lumsdaine
Darren Brollo
Past_members =

Lo-Tel was a pop rock band based in Sydney, Australia. They received commercial success and are best known for their single "Teenager of the Year" in 2000. They split up in 2003.

History

Initially a trio consisting of Luke Hannigan (singer and guitarist), Dave Lumsdaine (bass) and Darren Brollo (drums), Lo-Tel were signed to Murmur Records in 1999 on the strength of a demo that reached the label through an industry veteran who saw potential in the band. Their first single "Genre Casting" was released in early 2000 only on vinyl, subsequently leading to their first commercial single "Teenager of the Year". The latter became a Top 40 hit on the back of its appearance in the popular Australian film "Looking For Alibrandi". They also sang the Telstra advertisement remix of I Am Australian. Lo-tel's debut album "Planet of the Stereos" dropped in November 2000 and achieved moderate commercial success. Two further singles from the album, "A Pop Song Saved My Life" and "Crucifix", enjoyed a similar amount of airplay and publicity but were less successful. In March 2001, Luke Hannigan married his long time partner, Australian actor Pia Miranda, in Las Vegas.

After a two-year break, Lo-Tel regrouped in 2002 (with Paul Wheeler replacing Brollo), and put out their elaborate second album "The Lost Thing", with artwork by Shaun Tan. Although the album track "Angel" received some commercial airplay, "The Lost Thing" failed to make the Top 50 upon release, and Lo-Tel slipped from view soon after.

Darren Brollo is currently the drummer for the band Betamax, which is headed by singer/songwriter Jacob Butler of Australian Idol (2007) fame.

Discography

Albums

*"Planet of the Stereos" (November 2000)
*"The Lost Thing" (August 2003)

ingles

*"Genre Casting" (7") (May 2000)
*"Teenager of the Year" (2000)
*"A Pop Song Saved my Life" (October 2000)
*"Crucifix" (January 2001)

External links

* [http://www.amo.org.au/artist.asp?id=1299 Band profile on Australian Music Online]
* [http://www.abc.net.au/rage/guest/2001/lotel.htm Rage website featuring "Planet of the Stereos"-era bio]