The Original Four:
PLAY was formed starting with 11 year old Anna Sundstrand when she was approached by her dance teacher Laila Bagge who owned the dance studio Anna was a student in called Sway she then asked 13 year old Anais Lameche to join the group which consisted of only one member at the time. After holding a nationwide talent search Laila chose Fanny 'Faye' Hamlin and her best friend and classmate Rosanna 'Rosie' Munter. PLAY's career was launched in both Sweden and in the United States in 2001 and 2002. They were signed to Sony Columbia Records after the owner heard them rehearsing while on the phone with Laila's husband Andres Bagge. They auditioned for him over the phone singing their very first song "Watch Me Now". Their first single "Us Against the World" was released on December 21, 2001. The single was also featured as a bonus track and theme song on the Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen movie 'Holiday in the Sun' in which PLAY did a cameo preformance. In the Untied States. In Sweden on December 12, 2001 PLAY released their debut album "Us Against the World". In the United States PLAY released a self-titled EP 'PLAY' consisting of only 7 tracks on June 25, 2002.
In 2002 PLAY released their second and third singles "I'm Gonna Make You Love Me" featuring DreamStreet member Chris Trousdale and "Cinderella". PLAY toured in the United States in the coming months, opening for Aaron Carter and Destiny's Child. While touring in the USA they group often partnered with the girls clothing chain Limited Too. PLAY did a song for the movie "Master of Disguise" called "M.A.S.T.E.R. PT 2" which featured Lil Fizz from B2K.The music video was a bonus feature on the DVD version. On the movies soundtrack their song "Cinderella" was featured. Also in 2002 PLAY was in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City on which they stood on top of a Build-a-Bear float where they also preformed their second single "I'm Gonna Make You Love Me". Their debut album peaked at number 85 of the Billboard 200 chart and was certified gold on march 23, 2003 for sales of 500,000 copies. PLAY released a behind-the-scenes tour DVD called "Play Around the World" in which they documented they US tour. The DVD featured behind-the-scenes looks, interviews, concert segmenets, rehearsals and making of music videos as well as the videos for "Us Against the World" and "I'm Gonna Make You Love Me. Their second album 'Relay' was released on June 10, 2003. On the albums released day PLAY made several promotional appearances on shows including Live with Regis and Kelly and Slime Time.
Their second album peaked at number 67 on the Billboard 200 chart and managed to stay in the top 200 for 7 weeks. Their first single off the second album "I Must Not Chase the Boys" music video aired on MTV TRL and made the Top 10 Videos Requested Countdown. It was also featured on Carsen Daly's radio show as one of his "picks of the week." PLAY continued to promote the album and tour throughout 2003. PLAY also appeared on several Nickelodeon televisions features like Slime Time and All That. The group released a second single "Whole Again" in 2003. In late October 2003 Faye had decided to leave PLAY in order to pursue her college education. Faye continued to tour and make appearances with the group until December 2003. Faye was featured in PLAY's music video of their song "It's the Hard Knock Life" which was featured as a bonus track on the 25th anniversary edition of the popular musical film "Annie" and in the music video for their song "As long as There's Christmas" which was featured as a bonus feature on the DVD for Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christams. On December 15, 2003 it was officially announced the Faye had left the group and would be replaced by 13 year old Janet Leon.
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| Left to Right: Rosanna Munter, Anais Lameche, Anna Sundstrand & Faye Hamlin |
The Second Line-Up:
Play's third album "Don't Stop the Music" was released on March 9, 2004. Their first single off the album was "everGirl" which they filmed two music videos for the song a US Tour version and the official music video was filmed at girls' local high school in Stockholm, Sweden. The album was more aimed at a younger crowd and recieved mixed reviews among the PLAY fans. While promoting the album PLAY partnered with the girls clothing brand everGirl and Limited Too. The single promoted the new line. The second single "Don't Stop the Music" was originally written and recorded by Swedish singer Robyn. The album is one of PLAY's worst selling albums.
In November 2004 PLAY released their fourth album, a Christmas album they called "Play Around the Christmas Tree." The album also failed to make the top 200 on the Billboard 200 chart. Very little news was heard from PLAY until the release of their compilation album "Girl's Mind" was released in Apri l 2005. The album featured 10 of PLAY biggest hits which all featured Faye's vocals. PLAY never promoted the album in the USA and the album was not widely released. "Girls Mind" was their third album to fail on the music charts. After months of inactivity it was announced in September 2005 the PLAY had separated and were going on an indefinite break as a group. From 2001-2005 PLAY sold almost 1 million albums.
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| Left to Right: Janet Leon, Rosanna Munter, Anais Lameche & Anna Sundstrand |
The Reunion & Third Line-Up:
On November 26, 2009 Faye and Anais appeared on the Swedish radio stations NRJ and RIXFM, along with another singer named Sanne Karlsson. They then announced as a trio that they would return as PLAY and would be featured in the second season of the hit Swedish reality show 'Made in Sweden' the same show that former PLAY member Janet Leon was featured in the first season. Anna however was not included in the reunion due to living in the USA. Rosanna was originally supposed to be in the reunion but however dropped out 3 weeks before filming MIS due to wanting to pursue a solo career. This meant that PLAY had to find another member, which resulted in Sanne Karlsson joining the group. With the new line-up in place, PLAY went into the studio and recorded what would be PLAY's fifth album in just 4 weeks. On November 27, 2009 PLAY made their first public appearance in over 4 years since disbanding in 2005. Made in Sweden aired in December 2009 and followed them on their journey of finding a new member, writing and recording their comeback album and filming the video for their comeback single "Famous" and following the girls as they reentered the music scene along with the MIA team Andres Bagge, Andreas Carlsson and PLAY creator and manager Laila Bagge. The reality show consisted for four episodes. In 2009, PLAY was also judges for the 8th annual Independent Music Awards to support independent artists' careers.
The lead single of their comeback album was "Famous." It was original theme for Made in Sweden the previous year and was sung by Andreas Carlsson. There was some debate on weather or not to release "Famous" or "Girls" as the groups comeback single, but in end "Famous" was chosen as the single. "Famous" debuted at number 5, and in its next week peaked at number 1. It was PLAY's first top 10 single to date. The groups comeback album "Under My Skin" was released on april 21, 2010. It debuted and peaked at number 7 on the Swedish Album Chart, making it their first album to chart in Sweden. In October, PLAY recored a song called "Destiny" for the Disney Channel Original Movie "Avalon High." However, just before the girls were to record the song, Faye called Laila and had once again decided to leave the group. Faye's vocals were therefore not present in the song. It was also announced that Faye would not be joining Anais and Sanne while they promote the song. "Destiny" premiered on October 26, 2010 on Radio Disney. Faye had not been mentioned in PLAY's blog, nor seen with the group since late September and some were doubting her place in the band. Multiple sources stated that Faye was writing and recorded a solo album.
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| Left to Right: Sanne Karlsson, Anais Lameche & Fanny Hamlin |
The Fourth Line-Up and Final Split:
Due to a search for a new member, Faye's decision to leave PLAY was not released until February 2011, the same day PLAY announced Faye's departure they also announced their newest member (and seventh member of PLAY) Emelie Norenberg, who knew both Anais and Sanne prior to joining PLAY. With Emelie joining the group that left Anais as the only original member to be in all four line-ups of PLAY.
Anais, Sanne and Emelie were planning a return to the USA and release an EP. But, on May 23, 2011 PLAY announced after inactivity from the girls, that the plans that wee made for the group would not happen and that PLAY had once again seperated for a second and final time. The band split in early 2011. It was later revealed through an official statement that the Anais, Sanne an Emelie were no longer on speaking terms and broke up due to a conflict in the group. The reason was apparently because the girls refused to meet after their trip to Los Angeles in early 2011 and some things were said about the commitment of some of the girls in the group. They have each gone their separate ways both personally and professionally.
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| Left to Right: Emelie Norenberg, Anais Lameche & Sanne Karlsson |
