| Lindi Ortega | |
|---|---|
Lindi performing July 9, 2010 |
|
| Background information | |
| Genres | alternative, acoustic music, folk music |
| Occupations | Musician, Singer-songwriter |
| Instruments | Vocals, Guitar, Piano, Ukulele |
| Years active | 2000–present |
| Labels | Last Gang Records |
| Website | lindiortega.ca |
Lindi Ortega (born May 28) is a Canadian singer-songwriter and musician, known for her voice that has been described as a blend of Dolly Parton, Johnny Cash, and Emmylou Harris.[1] She spent nearly a decade as an independent artist in the Toronto music scene,[2] self-releasing two albums and an EP in that time. She has been described as "Toronto's best kept secret"[3] and has been affectionately called "Indie Lindi".[4] In 2008 she was signed to Cherrytree Records / Interscope Records and released a second EP. Her latest album is Little Red Boots, released on Last Gang Records in June 2011.
At the end of 2010 and beginning of 2011, Ortega toured extensively as a backup singer for Brandon Flowers, the lead singer of The Killers, in support of his solo album, Flamingo. This tour included dates in the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Spain and Mexico, as well as televised live performances on The Tonight Show With Jay Leno, Jimmy Kimmel Live, Later... with Jools Holland and at Abbey Road Studios. There were also a number of festival dates in the United States and Europe, including Coachella, T in the Park and Oxegen.
Contents |
Ortega's debut album, The Taste of Forbidden Fruit, was released in 2001. In her review of the album, Coreen Wolanski of Exclaim! described Ortega's voice as "the closest thing to vocal perfection" she had heard in a long time.[5] CBC Radio 3 described the album as follows:
Lindi seasons her musical scores like a deranged chef whipping up a culinary creation. A dash of country, a pinch of folk, a sprinkle of rock, and a smidgeon of jazz! Last but not least, to add a little spice, how about some vaudeville cabaret? No, this is not a textbook recipe, but rather a mystical scribbling from an ancient scroll. Lindi is enigmatic and enchanting with a voice that can be cheeky and brassy or haunting and ghostly. Her music derives from the metaphysical in a sphere that warps time and defies orthodoxy. This madness is a pure passion that has never met the technicalities of music theory.[6]
The song Nothing At All from this album was used in the online campaign for the Dove Campaign for Real Beauty.[7]
In late 2005 Ortega began advertising her new album as coming in the autumn of 2006[4] having declared, "People kept pushing and prodding and finally I saw the light".[8] Fall From Grace was released on 6 February 2007.[9] In reviewing the album Oxyfication.com described Fall From Grace as "the quintessential album of the trials, tribulations, and triumphs of life as an indie singer."[3]
In 2007 Ortega collaborated with Juno Award winning producer Ron Lopata on "I Need", a song for the compilation album Year of the Monkey - 68. Lopata has since produced Ortega's two EPs and occasionally tours with her as her keyboardist. Ortega's eponymous EP was initially sold at concerts and on 5 March 2008 was made available online from independent music retailer killthe8.com.[10] When the initial run sold out the EP was discontinued. After being signed to Cherrytree Records / Interscope Records in August 2008 Ortega released her second EP, The Drifter E.P., to critical success. Ortega then began an extensive touring schedule which included touring with Noah & the Whale in the autumn of 2008,[11] performing at the 2009 SXSW festival in Austin, TX in March,[12] and opening for Kevin Costner & The Modern West's tour in July.[13][14] In September 2009 Ortega performed on a cross-Canada tour as opening act for Keane's North American tour.[15][16] After the success of labelmate Lady Gaga, Cherrytree decided they would focus on dance / pop acts and Ortega signed with Last Gang Records.
Ortega announced on her blog that a new full length album would be released on 7 June 2011 on Last Gang.[17] A release party was held at The Dakota Tavern in Toronto on 6 June 2011. The album and song, Little Red Boots, are named after her signature red boots that she got while on tour with Kevin Costner.
A self-described bird lover, Ortega organised and was the featured performer at a benefit concert for the World Parrot Refuge in Coombs, British Columbia on 3 March 2010.[18] The concert was held at The Supermarket in Toronto and featured a collection of local musicians that included Sara Kamin, Mandippal Jandu, The Framework, Emma-Lee, The DoneFors, and Dylan Murray.[19]
| Date of Release |
Title | Label |
| 2001 | The Taste of Forbidden Fruit[20] | |
| 2007 | Fall From Grace[3] | |
| 2008 | Lindi Ortega (EP) | |
| 2008 | The Drifter E.P.[21] | Cherrytree Records/Interscope Records |
| 2011 | Little Red Boots | Last Gang Records |
| 2011 | Tennessee Christmas E.P. | Last Gang Records |
| Date of Release |
Title | Song(s) | Label |
| 2004 | Maybe This Christmas Tree[22] | Fairytale of New York (duet with Pilate) | Nettwerk |
| 2005 | The Surreal Gourmet - A Feast For Your Ears[23] | Tomorrow You'll Say Goodbye | Warner Music Canada |
| 2007 | Year of the Monkey - 68[24] | I Need | independent |
| 2010 | Major Lazer - Lazers Never Die EP[25] | Good Enuff (Featuring Collie Budz & Lindi Ortega) | Interscope Records |
| Year | Title | Director |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | "Little Lie"[26] | Margaret Malandruccolo |
| "Black Fly"[27] | Michael Maxxis | |
| "Christmas Eve with You"[28] | David Foss Ricci |