Cosima De Vito
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Cosima | ||
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 Cosima in a 2005 photoshoot
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| Background information | ||
| Birth name | Cosima De Vito | |
| Born | November 01, 1976 (age 30) | |
| Origin | Perth, Western Australia | |
| Genre(s) | Pop, Rock, R&B | |
| Occupation(s) | Singer | |
| Instrument(s) | Singing | |
| Years active | 2003–present | |
| Label(s) | CDV Records (2003–2005) Independent (2005–Present) |
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| Website | CosimaDevito.net.au | |
Cosima De Vito (born November 1, 1976), also known simply as Cosima, is an Australian singer-songwriter. She rose to fame as a contestant of the original Australian Idol series in 2003 where she caused controversy, quitting the competition due to a throat condition at short notice, coming in at third place. She has since established an independent music career, releasing a debut solo album called Cosima. Cosima is currently preparing for the release of her sophomore album, due in March 2007.
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[edit] Early years
Of Italian descent, De Vito grew up in Perth and entered various talent contests while in school. She cited Whitney Houston, Shirley Bassey, Tina Turner and Karen Carpenter as being major influences on her personal style. She then went to university and graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce degree, majoring in finance and banking.
Turning to a career in entertainment, De Vito made contact with talent agents who enabled her to travel to Nashville, Tennessee in 2001 to record a demo tape and discuss a recording deal but was turned down because of a lack of fanbase in Australia.
[edit] Debut album
After recovery from throat nodules, De Vito was unable to negotiate a suitable record deal and funded her own label, (CDV Records) with the help of her family. As her manager was sourcing songs for her independent album, she was invited to fly to Los Angeles to record her debut album with songs penned exclusively by songwriter Diane Warren (Celine Dion, Christina Aguilera, and Aerosmith) who commented "Cosima is the younger Celine Dion. She’s a little edgier than Celine, more dynamic."[1]. Her first single "When the War is Over", a cover of a Cold Chisel ballad was released in Australia on August 9 2004 on CDV Records, and debuted at #1 in the ARIAnet singles chart ahead of fellow Australian Idol Paulini who came 4th in the competition and Australian singer-songwriter Missy Higgins (both had also reached #1 before her).
Her self-titled debut album Cosima was released on 11 October 2004. It debut at #2 on the ARIA charts and #1 on the Independent charts. While it was certified gold, selling an estimated 50,000 units, it quickly left the Top 50 after spending only a few weeks in the ARIAnet charts.
In December 2004, she released the second single from her album, "Now That You Can't Have Me". The single peaked at #42 due to distribution problems and lack of radio airplay. The video for the single was initially popular on Australian music shows such as Video Hits.
[edit] New direction
On 23 December 2004, De Vito parted ways with her management team who had guided her since the end of Idol. The parties had been in dispute over AUD200,000 her managers allege they are owed. Late in 2005, Cosima signed a management deal with Dorry Kordahi of DK Management. [2]According to De Vito, there are still a few things that need to be sorted out from the previous management deal, but she is confident they will turn out well. [3]
In October 2005, De Vito previewed some new tracks written for her album as support act for UK Soul Star, Roachford and his tour of Australia. On March 19, 2006, she appeared in Channel Ten's celebrity special quiz show Australia's Brainiest Musician. Throughout June and July of 2006, De Vito completed a successful national tour with Greek singer Demis Roussos.
[edit] Career development: Sophomore album
De Vito has been in the studio working on her second studio album since early 2005.[4]. It is currently scheduled for a 2007 release [5]. During an interview at the ARIA Number One Chart Awards, she hinted that she was in discussion with record labels, saying: "I may do it independently, or I may go with a record label. We'll see what happens".
De Vito is writing for the first time on this follow-up album which is expected to be deeply personal as well as an indication of who she is as an artist[6]. In an update posted on her official website, De Vito's management has confirmed that the album is currently being recorded and will be out in early 2007[7].
[edit] Recent Events
In recent months, De Vito has been making a variety of independent appearances - notably as support act on the Demis Roussos tour, the Sydney Ferragasto Festival, and the "Soul Divas" show at the Basement in Sydney. These smaller appearances seem to be rebuilding her fanbase and credibility. On September 26, De Vito was on the 2day FM breakfast show with Kyle & Jackie O as the Secret Celebrity on their Where Are They Now? segment.
In October, it was announced by her management that her debut single, When The War Is Over had re-entered the Australian Independent Charts at an astonishing number 11, more than 2 years after it debuted at number one on the ARIA Charts [8]. On November 25th, Cosima headlined the NBL All Star Game in Adelaide[9]. She sang songs from her new album as well as the national anthem, which was broadcasted on FOX Sports.
On January 26 2007, Cosima will be headlining her first concert in anticipation for her new album. The show is being held at the South Juniors Football Club [10].
[edit] Discography
[edit] Albums
| Album cover | Album information |
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Cosima
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| Album cover | Album information |
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As yet untitled |
[edit] Singles
| Single cover | Single information |
|---|---|
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"When the War Is Over/One Night Without You"
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"Now That You Can't Have Me"
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[edit] Awards
- Pop Republic Best New Artist (2004)
- 2 ARIA Number One Chart Awards (2005)
