Alice Russell (singer)
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This article relies on references to primary sources or sources affiliated with the subject, rather than references from independent authors and third-party publications. Please add citations from reliable sources. (June 2010) |
Alice Russell is a British soul singer. She was born in 1975, the daughter of an organist, and grew up in Framlingham in Suffolk. At the age of nine, following in her father and sisters' musical footsteps, Alice began taking lessons on Cello, and sang in choirs, before studying art and music in Brighton from 1994.[1]
As well as the classical influences of her father, and formal music lessons, Alice reveals listening to Gospel music and Soul artists such as Stevie Wonder and Aretha Franklin from an early age played a big part in the shaping of her style.[2] Other artists such as Minnie Ripperton, Eva Cassidy, Chaka Khan and Jill Scott are listed by Alice Russell as influences.[3]
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[edit] Early career
Alice began making a name for herself in the early 2000s, contributing to recordings by Bah Samba, Quantic, TM Juke, Kushti and Nostalgia 77.[4]
Her work with Bah Samba (who released on Estereo Recordings) sees Alice fusing Latin sounds with tinges of house, uplifting jazz and funk, whereas her material with the band Kushti reveals a more laidback, hip hop and soul inspired sound.[3] Her debut album, Under The Munka Moon was released on the Tru Thoughts label in 2004,[5] which was an amalgamation of various singles, remixes and collaborations.
Then came My Favourite Letters (Tru Thoughts) in 2005, her debut studio album created by Alice with co-writer, producer, guitarist and musical soul mate Alex Cowan (a.k.a. TM Juke). The album received prestigious press accolades.[2] Her third release, Under the Munka Moon II (Tru Thoughts) in 2006 compiled her most recent collaborations, remixes, and cover versions including her popular interpretation of The White Stripes' Seven Nation Army.[2] The ‘Alice Russell – Live in Paris’ DVD also came out in 2006, and was the first DVD the Tru Thought’s label had ever released.[6]
Alice and TM Juke have been touring together since 2006 with their hand-picked band of musicians, performing to audiences in the U.K, Europe, Australia, the U.S. and in other countries.[2] In summer 2006, Grant Daddy G Marshal of Massive Attack requested Alice Russell play the main stage at The Big Chill (music festival). Alice has also supported Lonnie Liston Smith, Femi Kuti, De La Soul and appeared on the bill with Amy Winehouse for the British showcase at the Midem Music Conference in Cannes 2007.[6]
[edit] Pot of Gold
In 2008, Alice and 'her boys', as she affectionately refers to her group, found time to go into the studio to record the critically acclaimed album, Pot Of Gold,[2] which was released in November that same year on the Six Degrees Records Label in the U.S and Alice’s own label Little Poppet in the U.K.
Alice also collaborated with Ninja Tune's Mr Scruff on Music Takes Me Up, a single from the latter's 2008 album, Ninja Tuna.[7]
Once again, Alice took to the road at the end of 2008 into 2009, performing shows in Australia, Europe, Canada and America, stopping off at the South By South West Music and Media Conference in Austin, Texas in March 2009, where she performed four shows.[8]
[edit] Pot of Gold re-release and Remixes album
Due to the collapse of Pinnacle distribution in 2008, Pot Of Gold was re-released in October 2009 on the Little Poppet label, accompanied by the release of the 22-track, double CD Pot Of Gold Remixes album, featuring mixes by Mr Scruff, DJ Vadim, Emika and The Heavy, amongst others.[3] The releases were supported by more European and U.K. tour dates.
[edit] Here Lies Love, David Byrne
April 2010 see’s the release of Alice’s most recent studio collaboration, Here Lies Love, which is the latest album from David Byrne and Fatboy Slim, containing the track Men Will Do Anything with Alice on vocals.[9]
Alice is touring Europe throughout 2010, and in February 2010 announced a stripped back show at London’s Union Chapel on May 21, 2010.[10]
[edit] Albums
- Under The Munka Moon (2004, Tru Thoughts)
- My Favourite Letters (2005, Tru Thoughts)
- Under The Munka Moon II (2006, Tru Thoughts)
- Pot of Gold (2008, Little Poppet/Differ-ant/Six Degrees)
- Pot of Gold Remixes (2009, Little Poppet/Differ-ant/Six Degrees)
[edit] References
- ^ Interview with Alice Russell The Argus, 30th March 2007
- ^ a b c d e Alice Russell biography
- ^ a b c Pot of Gold Remixes press release
- ^ Artists Direct biography
- ^ All Music biography
- ^ a b Tru Thoughts
- ^ Pot of Gold press release
- ^ Alice Russell shows archive
- ^ Here lies Love on DavidByrne.com
- ^ AliceRussell.com
