His 2005 debut EP release, "Chapter One", a self financed project, was recorded in collaboration with South African guitar legend Nibs van der Spuy and marketed and released with the assistance of Sheer Sound.
Apart from a heavy 2006 touring schedule which has included headline appearances at festivals such as Splashy Fen, Wavescapes Film Festival, Mr Price Classic and The Billabong Pro Farryl has also recently completed two national tours as a guest of Australian superstars Missy Higgins (July 2006) and Ben Lee (April 2006).
He has also toured with Donovan Frankenreiter and has played with Jack Johnson, which resulted in a co-composition with Jack.
The "Chapter One" EP was nominated for a 2006 South African Music Award (SAMA) in the 'Best Adult Contemporary' category.
His eponymous debut has recently been completed for 2 Feet Music as well as a music video for his first single "Better Days". Farryl Purkiss has recently completer a tour of Australia to support the release of this album in that territory. The tour features solo dates as well as support slots for Canada's Serena Ryder and Hawksley Workman.
Reviews:
"...there is a real musicality here that sets this album apart from the surfboard toting imitators. Solo acoustic instrumental 'Speechless' is one of the albums highlights. 'Please Stay' is uplifting and heartbreaking all at once, showing off this singer-songwriter's ability to make a deep impression with just a light touch of the guitar frets." - Laura MacIntyre, www.mediasearch.com.au
"...a charmingly open, friendly stage presence that pulls you in as his songs caress you with their easy melodies" - Michael Smith, Drum Media, Sydney, Australia
"...a great start from a promising songwriter with a voice of his own, and I can't wait to see what the future yields. Get this album, in a few years you'll be saying "Oh yeah, I remember listening to Farryl ages ago." He's the kind of artist who you'll want to build a long-term audio relationship with through the collection of every single album. Start yours now." - Matthew Christensen (4 out of 5)
"Farryl Purkiss is better than damn good, combining inventive guitar play with introspective wordplay on an album that’s delves deep in to the heart’s emotions. An absolute stunner! ... the best debut of the year." - Craig Canavan (4 out of 5)
"Purkiss gave a brilliant performance, apparently unfazed, despite the problems the crew encountered. The crowd also warmed up towards him and when he told a story about how he played with Jack Johnson in 2003 and how Johnson inspired him to finish his song Déjà Vu, with which he'd been struggling, everyone became a fan before he stepped off stage just before 23h00." - Henriël Veldtmann, Oppikoppi Festival 2006.
Kissing Devils on the Cheek
Farryl Purkiss Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
it will lead you to the land
which fruit that you shouldn't eat.
Don't believe in the man that doesn't bleed,
he will lead you to the edge of a cliff,
but you'll be the first to leap.
Don't believe in the comfort of a rocking chair,
it will rock, rock, rock;
Most of all don't believe in me,
the secrets that I hide
might just find you in your sleep.
(Please believe in me).
You keep on complaining
that you can't find what you seek,
but all the while
you keep kissing devils on the cheek.
So quit playing games, stop dropping names,
swinging them hips to hell
then bringing them back again.
You gotta start knock, knock, knocking on.
Plead on heaven's door.
Please believe in me.
The lyrics to Farryl Purkiss's song "Kissing Devils on the Cheek" may seem enigmatic at first glance, but they contain a deep level of meaning that reveals itself upon closer inspection. The first stanza warns against blindly following directions or advice given by others, especially if they have something to gain by leading you astray. The compass pointing east could be interpreted as a symbol for conventional wisdom or tradition, which may not always lead to the right destination. Similarly, the man who doesn't bleed could be a reference to a leader who is out of touch with the reality of his followers or who is immune to the consequences of his actions. The rocking chair represents the temptation to stay comfortable and avoid taking risks or making progress. All of these warnings culminate in the plea not to believe in the singer himself, as he may have secrets that could harm you.
The chorus is a call to action for the listener to stop making excuses and take responsibility for their own destiny. The metaphor of kissing devils on the cheek implies that the listener is making deals with people who have unsavory intentions or who are not looking out for their best interests. The repetition of the phrase "stop dropping names" suggests that the listener may be trying to associate themselves with powerful or influential people to gain an advantage, when they should be focusing on their own merit. The final line of the chorus, "You gotta start knock, knock, knocking on. Plead on heaven's door," is a reference to the famous Bob Dylan song "Knockin' on Heaven's Door," which implies that the listener needs to take a more spiritual or introspective approach to their problems instead of seeking external solutions.
Overall, "Kissing Devils on the Cheek" is a cautionary tale about the dangers of giving in to fear or complacency, and a call to action for listeners to take control of their own lives and seek more meaningful connections with others.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't believe in the compass that points east,
Do not trust something that may mislead you to go to an undesirable place.
it will lead you to the land
It may take you to an unfamiliar land.
which fruit that you shouldn't eat.
A place where you encounter temptations towards something that may harm you.
Don't believe in the man that doesn't bleed,
Do not trust someone who never shows vulnerability.
he will lead you to the edge of a cliff,
Such a person may take you to the brink of disaster.
but you'll be the first to leap.
You may be the only one to suffer the consequences of your actions.
Don't believe in the comfort of a rocking chair,
Do not rely on something that may provide temporary satisfaction, but no progress.
it will rock, rock, rock;
It may give you a false sense of accomplishment.
but still not get you anywhere.
It won't take you towards your desired direction or goal.
Most of all don't believe in me,
Especially, do not trust me at all.
the secrets that I hide
I have some hidden intentions or motives.
might just find you in your sleep.
You may suffer the consequences of my secrets, unknowingly.
(Please believe in me).
A plea to trust despite the warning.
You keep on complaining
You keep expressing a dissatisfaction toward something.
that you can't find what you seek,
You cannot achieve your desired purpose.
but all the while
Meanwhile,
you keep kissing devils on the cheek.
You repeatedly make bad decisions that alienate you from your desired outcome.
So quit playing games, stop dropping names,
Stop pretending, and avoid name-dropping.
swinging them hips to hell
Engaging in self-destructive activity or lifestyle.
then bringing them back again.
Repeating the same pattern over and over.
You gotta start knock, knock, knocking on.
It's time to seek a new alternative.
Plead on heaven's door.
Appeal for divine guidance or intervention.
Please believe in me.
A final plea to trust the person despite the warning.
Writer(s): Farryl David Purkiss
Contributed by Molly L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@tristanoelofse8248
Don't believe in the compass that points east,
it will lead you to the land
which fruit that you shouldn't eat.
Don't believe in the man that doesn't bleed,
he will lead you to the edge of a cliff,
but you'll be the first to leap.
Don't believe in the comfort of a rocking chair,
it will rock, rock, rock;
but still not get you anywhere.
Most of all don't believe in me,
the secrets that I hide
might just find you in your sleep.
(Please believe in me).
You keep on complaining
that you can't find what you seek,
but all the while
you keep kissing devils on the cheek.
So quit playing games, stop dropping names,
swinging them hips to hell
then bringing them back again.
You gotta start knock, knock, knocking on.
Plead on heaven's door.
Please believe in me.
@jaylittleme
11 years later and this song still kicks ass. Really deserves more views than just 30k
@joopz0r
His best song without a doubt! STILL believe this track should have been in Super natural TV Series - its like it was made for that series.
Farryl you rock brother - #SAMUSIC
@shirenebrown2334
Rocking chair and all... Great artist!
@nic54654
Such a good track, this one and Seraphine rock! This guy deserves more recognition :)
@BobbyNic
Awesome - straight up!
@joezrandall
Love your work dude!
@kmllr1
pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeease !!! <3it
@grantvanzyl
Love it Bru.
@morrisash128
Cinematography...Well done
@pernillajakobsso
Discoverd Farryls music today and are totally impressed!! Hope to find his latest album somewhere soon. And would be awesome to see him live. Long way from South Africa to cold and tiny Sweden though....Your music made my day anyhow, big thanks for that :)