Katie Melua

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Katie Melua
Katie Melua at CD signing
Katie Melua at CD signing
Background information
Birth name Ketevan Melua
Also known as Katie Melua
Born September 16, 1984
Flag of Georgia (country) Kutaisi, Georgian SSR
Origin Flag of England London, England, United Kingdom
Genre(s) Acoustic
Easy listening
Middle of the road
Blues
Jazz
Instrument(s) Guitar
Piano
Violin[1]
Vocals
Years active 2003–present
Label(s) Dramatico
Associated
acts		 Jamie Cullum
Website www.katiemelua.com

Ketevan "Katie" Melua (Georgian: ქეთევან "ქეთი" მელუა, surname pronounced IPA: /ˈmeluˌɑː/; born 16 September 1984) is a British singer and musician, who was born in Georgia, but moved to Northern Ireland at the age of eight and then relocated to England at the age of 14.[2] Melua is signed to the small Dramatico record label, under the management of songwriter Mike Batt,[3] and made her musical debut in 2003. She is, as of 2006, the United Kingdom's biggest-selling female artist[4] and Europe's highest selling European female artist.[5]

In November 2003, at the age of just 19, Melua released her first album, Call Off the Search, which reached the top of the United Kingdom album charts and sold 1.2 million copies within its first five months of release.[6] Her second album, Piece by Piece, was released in September 2005 and to date has gone platinum four times.[7]

Contents

[edit] Biography

[edit] Early life

Ketevan Melua was born in Kutaisi, Georgian SSR in 1984 and spent her first years with her grandparents in the capital Tbilisi before moving, with her parents and brother, to the town of Batumi, Ajaria where her father worked as a heart specialist.[8] During this time Melua experienced severe poverty, having to carry buckets of water up four flights of stairs to her family's flat.[9][10] Melua would later cite this experience as the reason why she shuns certain materialistic aspects of fame and fortune.[11]

In 1993, in the aftermath of the Georgian Civil War, the family moved to Belfast, Northern Ireland, where her father took up a position at the prestigious Royal Victoria Hospital. Whilst living in Belfast, Melua attended Roman Catholic schools, St. Catherine's Primary School and Dominican College, Fortwilliam, while her younger brother attended Protestant schools.[2] The family moved again to Redhill, Surrey, in 1998. As a result of her diverse upbringing at an early age, Melua can speak three languages: Georgian, Russian and English.[12]

[edit] First television appearance

Due to her politically unstable upbringing in Georgia and troubled Belfast,[13] Melua initially planned to become either a historian or a politician.[14] This changed in 2000, at the age of 15, when Melua took part in a talent competition on British television channel ITV called "Stars Up Their Nose" (a spoof of Stars in Their Eyes) and was part of the children's program "Mad for it!".[15] Melua won the contest by singing Badfinger's Without You. The prize was £350 worth of MFI vouchers with which she bought a chair for her father.[16] Had she lost the contest, she would have been gunged.[17]

[edit] Schooling

After completing her GCSEs at Nonsuch High School in Surrey, Melua attended the BRIT School for the Performing Arts in the London Borough of Croydon, undertaking a BTEC with an A-level in music. She began to write songs whilst at the school.[18] Melua first met her future manager, producer Mike Batt, when studying at the school.

Melua didn't attend University, though she has often stated her desire to do so, saying that English literature, history and physics would be her courses of choice should she ever get the chance to go to University in the future.[19][20]

[edit] Personal life

Melua met Luke Pritchard, lead singer of The Kooks, when they were both studying at the BRIT School where they began to court. Melua and Pritchard rarely speak of the relationship, but what is known is that the couple dated for three years and even discussed marriage however, as she became more successful, the relationship came into difficulties and they split up in March 2005.[21][9]

In November 2006 it was reported in the News of the World that Melua had formed a relationship with photographer Lara Bloom. To date the report has received no independent support.[22]

Melua is known to have smoked cannabis for recreation and for musical inspiration. However, in 2004, Melua announced that she had stopped taking the illegal substance for the latter reason as it "dented her creativity".[23]

[edit] Adrenaline Junkie

Melua is sometimes referred to as an 'adrenaline junkie' as she enjoys rollercoasters and fun fairs and often paraglides and hang glides.[24] She has also skydived twice and taken several flying lessons and in 2004 she was lowered from a 200 metre building in New Zealand at 60mph. When asked about Melua being an 'adrenaline junkie', Mike Batt said, "she [Melua] enjoys extremes, but in life her emotions are always in check."[3]

[edit] British nationality

On 10 August 2005, Melua became a British citizen along with her parents and brother. The citizenship ceremony took place in Weybridge, Surrey.[25] The ceremony was important to Melua because if her father had lost his job before becoming a citizen, the family would have been forced to return to Georgia. On gaining British nationality, Melua was eligible for a British passport, which makes it easier for her to travel around the world.[26] Becoming a British citizen meant that Melua had held three citizenships before she was 21; first Soviet, then Georgian and finally British. After the ceremony, Melua stated her pride at her newest nationality. "As a family, we have been very fortunate to find a happy lifestyle in this country and we feel we belong. We still consider ourselves to be Georgian, because that is where our roots are, and I return to Georgia every year to see my uncles and grandparents, but I am proud to now be a British citizen."[25]

[edit] Recording career

[edit] Mike Batt

It was whilst performing at a Brit School showcase that Melua caught the eye of Mike Batt, an English songwriter and producer who was looking for an artist capable of singing "jazz and blues in an interesting way".[27] After hearing Melua sing "Faraway voice" (a song of her own composition, about the death of her idol Eva Cassidy) Batt signed the 19-year-old Melua to his small Dramatico recording and management company and sent her into the studio.[28]

[edit] Call Off the Search

Main article: Call Off the Search
Call Off the Search album cover
Call Off the Search album cover

Call Off the Search featured two songs written by Melua; "Belfast (Penguins and Cats)", a song about Melua's own experience of her time in the troubled city and "Faraway voice", a song about the death of Eva Cassidy. Melua also covered songs by Delores J. Silver ("Learnin' the Blues"), John Mayall ("Crawling up a Hill"), Randy Newman ("I Think it's Going to Rain Today") and James Shelton ("Lilac Wine"). A final six songs on the album were by Mike Batt.[29]

It was initially difficult for Melua and Batt to get airplay for the album's lead single, "The Closest Thing to Crazy". This changed when BBC Radio 2 producer Paul Walters heard the single and played it on the popular Terry Wogan breakfast show.[30] Wogan played "The Closest Thing to Crazy" frequently in November and December 2003 in an attempt to make it that year's Christmas number one. The single only reached #10, but Wogan's support did raise Melua's profile and when "Call Off the Search" was released it became an immediate hit, reaching number-one on the UK album chart in January 2004. "Call off the Search" reached the top five in Ireland, top twenty in Norway, top thirty in a composite European chart and top fifty in Australia. In the UK, the album sold 1.2 million copies, making it four times platinum, and spent six weeks at the top of the charts. It sold 3 million copies worldwide. Subsequent singles did not reach the success of the first. The second single and title track reached #19. The third single, "Crawling Up A Hill", only got to #41.[31]

[edit] Piece by Piece

Main article: Piece by Piece (album)
Piece by Piece album cover
Piece by Piece album cover

Melua's second album, Piece by Piece, was released on September 26, 2005. It included the single "Nine Million Bicycles", which was released on September 19 of the same year. The first UK airplay for the single was on the Terry Wogan show August 1. The album contains four more songs written by Melua herself, four more by Batt, one Batt/Melua collaboration and three more songs are new versions of "great songs". The band line-up is the same as on the first album. The album debuted at the number-one spot of the UK Albums Chart on the week of October 3, 2005.[32]

On 30 September 2005, Melua came under criticism in The Guardian from writer and scientist Simon Singh for the lyrical content of the track "Nine Million Bicycles". Melua's disputed lyrics were:

“ We are 12 billion light-years from the edge. That's a guess — no-one can ever say it's true, but I know that I will always be with you. ”

They were interpreted by Singh as an assault on the accuracy of the work of cosmologists[33] which sparked a series of letters from other Guardian readers, agreeing or disagreeing.[34] On 15th October, Melua and Singh both appeared on the BBC's Today programme, and Melua unveiled a re-recording of the song which included Singh's tongue-in-cheek amendments to the lyrics:

“ We are 13.7 billion light-years from the edge of the observable universe; that's a good estimate with well-defined error bars and with the available information, I predict that I will always be with you. ”

Both sides amicably agreed that the new lyrics were less likely to achieve commercial success, amidst a discussion about scientific accuracy versus artistic licence. Melua revealed that she 'should have known better' as she used to be a member of the Astronomy club at school.[35]

A double A-side of the self-penned "I Cried For You" and a cover of The Cure's "Just Like Heaven" (1988), which is the theme song to the film Just Like Heaven,[36] was released in the UK on December 5 and peaked at UK #35. "I Cried For You" was penned by Melua and was inspired by a meeting with the writer of Holy Blood, Holy Grail.[37]

A third single, "Spider's Web" was released on 17 April 2006 and peaked at UK #52. Melua embarked on a concert tour in support of Piece by Piece, the UK leg of which started in Aberdeen, Scotland on January 20, 2006.[38]

Towards the end of 2006, Melua released the single, "It's Only Pain" written by Mike Batt.[39] This was followed by the release of "Shy Boy", written by Mike Batt. Her third album is due for release in September 2007.[citation needed]

[edit] Charity work

In November 2004 Melua was asked to take part in Band Aid 20 in which she joined a chorus of British and Irish pop stars to create a rendition of "Do They Know It's Christmas?" to raise money for famine relief in Africa. This was in celebration of the twentieth anniversary of the original Band Aid.[40]

On March 19, 2005, Melua sang "Too Much Love Will Kill You" with Brian May at the 46664 concert in George, South Africa for Nelson Mandela's HIV charity. Melua had been a fan of Queen since her childhood in Georgia when her uncles would play the band's music, so performing with May was a realisation of a childhood dream.[41][10]

Melua is a goodwill ambassador to the charity Save the Children and in 2005 she went to Sri Lanka to see the work the charity was doing for children in the area after the civil war and tsunami.[42] In 2006 Melua donated all the proceeds from her single Spider's web to the charity.[43]

Melua is also a supporter of the Oxfam charity shops, using them frequently to buy her clothing.[9] Melua however, has stated that this is as much to do with her dislike of spending and glamour than support for the charity,[10] admitting that, when out in public, she looks "like a tramp" and that her hairdresser playfully calls her look "the Romanian window cleaner".[44]

[edit] World Record holder

On 2 October 2006, Melua entered the Guinness Book of Records for playing the deepest underwater concert 303 metres below sea level on Statoil's Troll A platform in the North Sea. Melua and her band underwent extensive medical tests and survival training in Norway before flying by helicopter to the rig.[45] Melua later described achieving the record as "the most surreal gig I have ever done".

[edit] Musical taste

In April 2006, for The Sun newspaper, Melua chose an eclectic fourteen pieces of her favourite music that she enjoyed and had the biggest musical influence on her. The pieces she chose were, Paul Simon's "Hearts And Bones", Jeff Buckley's "Hallelujah", Joni Mitchell's "Marcie", Bob Dylan's "Masters Of War", James Taylor's "How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)", Chuck Berry's "No Particular Place To Go", Portishead's "Glory Box", Björk's "The Pleasure Is All Mine", Camille's "Au Port", Rage Against the Machine's "Killing in the Name", Bobbie Gentry's "Fancy", Finlay Quaye's "Even After All", Suzanne Vega's "Caramel" and Babyshambles' "Fuck Forever".[46]

Melua has also revealed on numerous occasions how Queen were a huge influence on her as a child/teenager, with one of her memories being buying Queen's Greatest Hits II and singing along to "Radio Ga Ga" in her home country Georgia.[47]

Melua appeared on the BBC's The Culture Show in November 2006 advocating Paul McCartney as her choice in the search for Britain's greatest living icon.[48][49]

[edit] Criticism

A promotion image from Melua's USA tour in 2006
A promotion image from Melua's USA tour in 2006

Melua has sometimes been criticised for relying on Mike Batt to write many of her most famous songs.[50][51][52] Melua has countered such comments, stating that her songs "aren't good enough" and that it would be foolish not to take advantage of the experience of her Ivor Novello Award winning manager.[53] Some have also taken the view that Katie's vocals can be emotionless and dull. John Murphy of musicOMH.com said of "Nine Million Bicycles", "The only trouble is that there's absolutely no passion, no soul and no excitement to be found here...Yet all good music should provoke some sort of emotion, and this provokes none whatsoever".[54]

[edit] Discography

Album information
Call Off the Search
Piece by Piece
  • Released:
  • Chart positions: #1 (debut) UK, #1 Poland, #1 Netherlands, #2 Italy, #2 Germany, #108 USA , #2 Switzerland
  • Year End Chart: #1 Netherlands
  • UK sales: 1.2+ million
  • World Wide sales: 3+ million
  • BPI certification: 4x platinum
  • Poland: 2x Platinum
  • Germany: 2x Platinum
  • United World Chart: Platinum
  • Singles:

[edit] Acting

In 2007, Melua announced that she would be appearing in a segment of Quentin Tarantino's movie Grindhouse. The segment, entitled "Don't Scream", was directed by Edgar Wright.[55]

[edit] Honours and awards

  • Melua won the 2005 ECHO Award in Germany for Best International Newcomer.[4]
  • Melua was Best Selling UK Female Artist of 2004 and 2005.[4]
  • In 2006 Melua had a tulip named after her.[56]
  • According to VH1, "Call off the Search" is the 87th Best Selling British album in history.[57]
  • In 2007 Melua won the 'Pop International Solo' award at the Goldene Kamera awards in Germany.[58]

[edit] References

  1. ^ Neil McCormick (May 29, 2004). Easy does it. The Sydney Morning Herald.
  2. ^ a b Dramatico (2003). biog. Official site.
  3. ^ a b Ariel Leve (2006-11-05). The hitman and her. The Sunday Times.
  4. ^ a b c Mandy Carter (August 1, 2006). Interview: Katie Melua. myvillage.
  5. ^ IFPI confirm Katie Melua as Europe’s highest selling European female artist in 2006. Press release (2006-11-12).
  6. ^ Johnny Loftus (2004). review of Call off the Search. allmusic.
  7. ^ James Christopher Monger (2005). review of Piece by Piece. allmusic.
  8. ^ Carl Wilkinson (February 27, 2005). Georgia on her mind. The Observer.
  9. ^ a b c Andrew Billen (24 January 2006). I still shop at Oxfam. The Times.
  10. ^ a b c Katrina Lobley (May 27, 2005). Georgia peach. The Sydney Morning Herald.
  11. ^ MELUA SHUNS LUXURIOUS LIVING. contact music (2005-05-10).
  12. ^ James Bartlett (July 20, 2006). UK Pop Sensation Katie Melua Tours the USA. associated content.
  13. ^ Katie Melua In Gunfire Drama. Female First (11 May 2005).
  14. ^ Second Cup Café: Katie Melua. (CBS/AP) (July 8, 2006).
  15. ^ Courtney Grimes (July 19, 2005). "The Closest Thing to Crazy:" An Interview With UK Rocker Katie Melua. Epiphone.
  16. ^ Melua trivia page. Biography channel (2005).
  17. ^ Video of the performance show on Belgian TV. YouTube (23 November 2006).
  18. ^ New Music: Katie Melua. BBC News (10 November 2003).
  19. ^ MELUA TAKES TIME OUT TO STUDY. contactmusic.com (2006-11-12).
  20. ^ {{cite web | author=Jane Clinton | title= melua takes time out to study | work= The Sunday Express | date=12 November 2006| url=
  21. ^ Sharon Feinstein (15 January 2006). I LOVE HIM BUT WE'VE SLOWLY BROKEN EACH OTHER'S HEARTS ...IT SUCKS. Sunday Mail.
  22. ^ Chris Taylor (5 November 2006). Katie Melua's 'Close Relationship' With Lesbian Photographer. News of the World. entertainment wise.
  23. ^ KATIE MELUA: CANNABIS DENTED MY CREATIVITY. contactmusic.com (08-02-2004).
  24. ^ Rick Fulton (24 September 2005). I'M THE CLOSEST THING TO CRAZY. The Daily Record.
  25. ^ a b Singer Melua made British citizen. BBC News (11 August 2005).
  26. ^ Katie Melua, 'piecing' together global fame. Sound Generator (2006-08-06).
  27. ^ Mike Batt (2003). Katie Melua. dramatico site.
  28. ^ Marcus Leroux (27 May 2004). Fallen from Heaven. The Oxford Student.
  29. ^ Johnny Loftus (2003). "Call off the Search" Review. allmusic.
  30. ^ Andrew Purcell (August 11, 2006). Talk the talk. The Guardian.
  31. ^ Melua Profile. purevolume.
  32. ^ Katie Melua makes mellow comeback. BBC News (26 September 2005).
  33. ^ Simon Singh (September 30, 2005). Katie Melua's bad science. The Guardian.
  34. ^ Mike Batt (October 6, 2005). A few million light years short of reality. The Guardian.
  35. ^ Today Program. BBC Radio 4 (2005-10-15).
  36. ^ Rebecca Murray (2005-08-22). "Just Like Heaven" Movie Soundtrack News. About Movies.
  37. ^ R.J. Carter (June 14, 2006). Ingénue Rising. The Trades.
  38. ^ Interview. teen today (January 2006).
  39. ^ Melua reveals Kooks pain. Virgin Music (August 2006).
  40. ^ Geldof hails new Band Aid single. BBC News (15 November 2004).
  41. ^ Queen And Katie Melua Team Up. Female First (10 March 2005).
  42. ^ Katie Melua (15 June 2005). Katie's diary. Save the Children.
  43. ^ MELUA TO DONATE SINGLE PROCEEDS TO CHARITY. contact music (2006-04-11).
  44. ^ I Look like a tramp. contact music (2005-09-20).
  45. ^ Melua's deep sea gig sets record. BBC News (2 October 2006).
  46. ^ What Katie did next. The Sun (April 2006).
  47. ^ The World According To... Katie Melua. The Independent (2004-07-20).
  48. ^ Katie Melua (November 2006). Living Icons. BBC.
  49. ^ Katie Melua (January 25, 2007). Katie Melua Talks About Paul McCartney. BBC. YouTube.
  50. ^ Ian Gittins (December 5, 2006). Katie Melua review of Wembley Arena, London. The Guardian.
  51. ^ Daniel Kilkelly (May 20, 2006). Katie Melua unsure of song writing ability. digitalspy.
  52. ^ Vik Bansal (December 2006). Katie Melua - Georgia On Her Mind. muscOMH.
  53. ^ MELUA: 'MY SONGS AREN'T GOOD ENOUGH'. contact music (2006-05-19).
  54. ^ John Murphy (September 2005). Katie Melua - Nine Million Bicycles.
  55. ^ Katie Melua (7 March 2007). Latest Blog - March 7th 2007. MySpace.
  56. ^ Steve P (2006-05-04). Nine Million Botanists. BBC Top of the Pops.
  57. ^ Chris Bond (16 November 2006). Another honours list for Britain's best-selling rock stars. Yorkshire Post.
  58. ^ KATIE MELUA AND NIC CAGE RECEIVE GERMAN HONOUR. Hello! (2 February 2007).

[edit] External links

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 v • d • e Katie Melua
Albums
Call off the Search | Piece by Piece
Singles
"The Closest Thing to Crazy" | "Call off the Search" | "Crawling up a Hill" | "Nine Million Bicycles" | "I Cried for You" | "Spider's Web" | "It's Only Pain" | "Shy Boy"
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org../../../k/a/t/Katie_Melua_a140.html"