| FANTINE | |
|---|---|
Performing live (Sydney) |
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Fantine Maria Pritoula |
| Also known as | FANTINE |
| Born | 6 February 1984 |
| Origin | Moscow, Russia |
| Genres | Indie/Electro/Soul |
| Occupations | Musician, Singer/Songwriter |
| Instruments | Vocals, piano |
| Years active | 2009–present |
| Labels | Independent |
| Website | Official Site |
Fantine (born Fantine Maria Pritoula; February 6, 1984 [1]) is a Russian-born Australian multilingual singer/songwriter of Russian and Dominican Republic descent.[2] Fantine is currently residing in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.[3] She debut on the Australian indie music scene in 2010 as a featured artist in a collaboration with Space Invadas (Katalyst (musician) and Steve Spacek) resulting in a single titled Super Sweet.[4]
Fantine's first solo release, Rubberoom (2011), was first aired on Triple J in February 2011.[5] The song was also aired on Australian national television programs including Rage (TV Program)[6] and Video Hits (Australian TV series).[7] The single was promptly followed by her second release, Eleven (Single) (2011).[8] These first two releases are set two be 2 of 3 singles to be lifted off her debut EP due for release at the end of 2011.[2]
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Born to Russian father (Anatoli Pritoula) and Dominican mother (Rita Pritoula), Fantine and sister Alexandra, were raised in a tri-lingual household (Russian, Spanish, English).[9] The family immigrated to Australia in 1992,[1] but returned to Russia in 1996.
Fantine returned to Australia in 2001 to study at the Notre Dame University, Western Australia in Perth, Western Australia. She was enrolled in a Bachelor of Law and Accounting.[1] While studying, Fantine performed live with a local band Soul Corporation. During this period, music was largely a hobby.[2] In 2007 Fantine commenced a Bachelor of Jazz Performance at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts, but deferred studies after a year to focus on her musical pursuits.
Fantine's music career began in 2009 when she signed a management deal with The Coady Group [10] and relocated to Sydney. In her first year in Sydney Fantine was introduced to Sydney based band Space Invadas, the new project between Australian indie hip-hop producer Katalyst (musician) and Steve Spacek.[11] Together they recorded a collaboration track titled Super Sweet. It featured Fantine on vocals and was lifted off Space Invada's album Soul:Fi (2010).[12] Super Sweet aired was first aired on Triple J in March 2010.[13] In support of the release of Soul:Fi, the band toured Australia performing at festivals such as Splendour in the Grass, Future Music Festival (Future Entertainment) and the rural Groovin' the Moo Festival.[9] During those performances Fantine was featured as a guest vocalist, singing Super Sweet among other songs.
From June till August 2010 Fantine spent time in the US and UK co-writing music for her forthcoming EP and Album with a series of writers including Australian ARIA Award winning writer Ben Lee, songwriter and producer Sacha Skarbek, and Leeds based writers/producers John Beck and Steve Chrisanthou.[14]
Fantine's first solo release was a single titled Rubberoom (Rubberoom) (February 2011), a song about "the place where lost ideas go".[15] It was co-written with UK writer/producer Alex Gray[16] and was first aired on Triple J in February 2011.[5] The release of the song was followed by the airing of the music video on Australian national television programs including Rage (TV Program), where the music video was awarded the status of "Indie Video Clip of The Week"[6] and Video Hits (Australian TV series) as part of the 2011 Predictions Segment.[7] Rubberoom was followed by Fantine's second release, titled Eleven (Eleven (Single)) (May 2011). This song delves into the "superstition and mysticism of the number Eleven".[8] The track was co-written with Sydney based jazz pianist and composer Marcello Maio. The song was recorded and produced in Sydney by producer Jared Underwood, also drummer for Sydney band Coda. The music video for Eleven is due for release in July and is currently in post production.
There are plans for Fantine to return to the UK to produce her third release, (title of the track yet to be announced) with top UK producer Jason Cox (Gorillaz, Jamie T.)[15]
During her time with Space Invadas, Fantine made appearances at the following festivals :
Days Like This (2010)
Sydney Festival (Beck's Bar) (2010)
Playground Weekender (2010)
Sound Safari (2010)
Future Music Festival (2010)
Golden Plains Festival (2010)
Groovin' the Moo (2010)
Peats Ridge Festival (2010)
And had a cameo appearance in the music video for the single "Done it Again". Fantine was also featured as a guest vocalist with Space Invadas during the launch of their album Soul:Fi at the Oxford Art Factory (Sydney)[17] and The Toff (Melbourne).
In March 2011 Fantine performed a support slot for Melbourne based soul band Electric Empire.[18] The performance received positive reviews.[18]
Fantine also performed backing vocals for Eurhythmics David A. Stewart, who accompanied Stevie Nicks as a special guest during her November/December (2011) tour of Australia.[19]
To promote the release of her single Rubberoom, Fantine performed at a series of showcases, playing Nationally and Internationally at the following venues:
Mojo's (Perth, Australia 2011)
Tabac (Auckland, New Zealand 2011)
GoodGod Small Club (Sydney, Australia 2011)
Northcote Social Club (Melbourne, Australia 2011)
La Cantina de el Agave (Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic 2011)
To promote the release of her single Eleven, Fantine toured Nationally and Internationally at the following venues:
Mojo's (Perth, Australia 2011)
Beach Road Hotel (Sydney, Australia 2011)
Great Northern Hotel (Newcastle, Australia 2011)
X&Y Bar (Bisrbane, Australia 2011)
Byron Bay Brewery (Byron Bay, Australia 2011)
The Evelyn Hotel (Melbourne, Australia 2011)
Rocket Bar (Adelaide, Australia 2011)
Juice Bar (Auckland, New Zealand 2011)
Other performances included:
The Beresford Hotel 11.11.11 (Sydney, Australia 2011)
Peats Ridge Festival (2011)
Landed Music (AU, 2011)
Drew and Shannon Live on FOUR (NZ, 2011)
U live (TV series) (NZ, 2011)
Chevere Nights (Dom. Rep., 2011)
| Year | Title | AU Peak Chart Position | Certifications | EP/Album |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Rubberoom |
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TBA |
| 2011 | Eleven |
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TBA |
| Year | Title | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Rubberoom | Directed by Alex Roberts (Art vs. Science) |
| 2011 | Eleven | Directed by Francis Coady |