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Florence Welch

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Florence Welch
A photograph shot from below Welch as she sings into a microphone
Welch singing in 2012
Background information
Birth nameFlorence Leontine Mary Welch
Born (1986-08-28) 28 August 1986 (age 37)
Camberwell, London, England
GenresIndie rock, baroque pop, art rock, indie pop, soul
Occupation(s)Musician, singer, songwriter, arranger
Instrument(s)Vocals, piano, drums, auto-harp, guitar
Years active2007–present
LabelsIsland

Florence Leontine Mary Welch[1] (born 28 August 1986)[2][3][4] is an English musician, singer and songwriter who rose to fame as the lead singer of Florence + the Machine, an English indie rock band. The band's debut album, Lungs, was released in 2009; on January 17, 2010, the album reached the top position, after being on the chart for 28 consecutive weeks. The group's second studio album, Ceremonials, released in October 2011, debuted at number one in the UK and number one in the United States.

Early life

Born in Camberwell, Florence is the niece of the satirist Craig Brown[5] and granddaughter of former deputy editor of The Daily Telegraph and former Daily Mail parliamentary sketchwriter Colin Welch.[6] She is the daughter of Evelyn Welch, an American Professor of Renaissance Studies and Vice-Principal for Arts & Sciences at King's College London[7] and Nick Welch, an advertising executive.[5] Her British father, Nick, contributed a "rock and roll element to the family mix"; in his twenties he used to live in a West End squat and attended the Squatters' Ball organised by Heathcote Williams where The 101ers played regularly.[8] A self-confessed "frustrated performer", if Nick, as he put it, "nudged Flo in any way, it's only been to listen to the Ramones rather than Green Day".[8] Evelyn had an equally strong yet completely different influence on her daughter. A visit to one of her mother's lectures left teenage Florence deeply impressed. She explained, "I aspire to something like that but with music. I hope that my music has some of the big themes—sex, death, love, violence—that will still be part of the human story in 200 years' time".[8]

Florence was educated at Thomas's London Day School then went onto Alleyn's School, South East London, where she did well academically.[1] Welch often got in trouble in school for impromptu singing.[1] Welch has been diagnosed with dyslexia and dyspraxia.[9] Following her meteoric rise to fame, she suffered a bout of depression.[10] Upon leaving school, Florence studied at Camberwell College of Arts before dropping out to focus on her music.[1] Welch's fascination with terror and doom was intensified by the death of her grandparents within a few years of each other. At ten years old, Welch witnessed her grandfather's deterioration, and her maternal grandmother, also an art historian, committed suicide when Welch was fourteen.[1] When Welch was 13 years old, she and her mother moved in with their next door neighbour and his three teenage children. According to Welch: "We get on brilliantly now, but it was a nightmare then. I just used to stay in my room and dance around."[11]

Music career

Early years

According to Welch, the "Florence + the Machine" as a band name "started off as a private joke that got out of hand. I made music with my friend, who we called Isabella Machine to which I was Florence Robot. When I was about an hour away from my first gig, I still didn't have a name, so I thought 'Okay, I'll be Florence Robot/Isa Machine', before realising that name was so long it'd drive me mad."[1][12] In 2006 Welch's performances with Summers in small London venues under the joint name Florence Robot/Isa Machine began to attract notice.[citation needed]

In 2007 Welch recorded with a band named Ashok, who released an album titled Plans on the Filthy Lucre/About Records label. This album included the earliest version of her later hit "Kiss with a Fist", which at this point was titled "Happy Slap".[13] She signed a contract for Ashok with a manager, but feeling that she was "in the wrong band" she resigned, which cancelled the contract.[1] Florence and the Machine is managed by Mairead Nash (one half of the DJ duo Queens of Noize), who decided to manage the singer when an inebriated Welch followed Nash into the toilets at a club[1][9] and sang Etta James' 1962 song "Something's Got a Hold on Me".[5]

2008–present: Florence and the Machine

Florence and the Machine released their debut album Lungs in the United Kingdom on July 6, 2009. The album was officially launched with a set at the Rivoli Ballroom in Brockley, South East London. It peaked at number one in the UK and number two in Ireland. As of August 6, 2009, the album had sold over 100,000 copies in the UK and by 10 August it had been at number two for five consecutive weeks.[14][15] Following its 25 July 2009 release for download in the United States, the album debuted at number seventeen on the Billboard Heatseekers Albums chart,[16] ultimately peaking at number one.[17] The album was released physically in the US on 20 October by Universal Republic.[18] The album was produced by James Ford, Paul Epworth, Steve Mackey and Charlie Hugall.[19]

Welch singing at the Berkeley Greek Theater on the Lungs Tour 2011.

Welch contributed vocals to David Byrne and Fatboy Slim's 2010 album Here Lies Love, an album about Imelda Marcos.[20] As of January 2011, Welch was working with Drake on material slated for his upcoming record.[21]

The band's second album, Ceremonials, was released on October 31, 2011. It debuted at number one on the UK Albums Chart and number six on the US Billboard 200.[22][23] On 12 January 2012, Florence and the Machine were nominated for two Brit Awards, with the awards ceremony taking place on 21 February 2012 at the O2 Arena, London.[24] On 26 April 2012, the band released "Breath of Life", a song which was recorded as the official theme song for the film Snow White and the Huntsman.[25][26] On 5 July 2012, a remix of "Spectrum (Say My Name)" by Scottish musician Calvin Harris was released as the fourth single from Ceremonials, becoming the band's first UK number-one hit.[27] Welch has expressed excitement about putting new material together for a third album after the band finishes touring at the end of September 2012.[28]

In October 2012, she featured on Scottish singer-songwriter and producer Calvin Harris's song "Sweet Nothing", which debuted and peaked at number one on the UK singles chart, marking Welch's second number one.[29] The song was taken from Harris's third studio album 18 Months and is the fifth single from the album. "Sweet Nothing" also peaked at number one in Ireland and number two in Australia and New Zealand. "Sweet Nothing" was certified Platinum in Australia.

Artistry

Welch possesses a mezzo-soprano vocal range. Her range is C♯3 to G6, a total of 3 octaves and 4 notes.[30][31] Florence has been compared to other female singers such as Kate Bush,[32][33] Siouxsie Sioux,[32][33] PJ Harvey,[32] and Björk.[33] During an interview, Welch cited Grace Slick as her influence and "hero".[34] Florence and the Machine's style has been described as "dark, robust and romantic".[32] Their music is a mix of "classic soul and midnight-on-the-moors English art rock".[32] Florence Welch stated that her lyrics related to Renaissance artists : "We're dealing with all of the same things they did : love and death, time and pain, heaven and hell".[35] From 2008, Welch had a relationship with Stuart Hammond, a literary editor: their temporary split provided inspiration for much of Lungs.[36]

Public image

When discussing her fashion style, Welch said that, "For the stage, it's The Lady of Shalott meets Ophelia...mixed with scary gothic bat lady. But in real life I'm kind of prim".[37] Welch has become noticed for her red curls (though she is actually a natural brunette)[38][39] and a style that has been described as daring but nonchalant. As a teenager she read fashion magazines more often than music magazines. Early in her music career she dressed in a tomboy style. 2011 saw Gucci dressing her for her summer tour and a performance at the Chanel runway show at Paris Fashion Week.[40] Welch describes 1970s American drag queen troupe The Cockettes and French beatnik singer Françoise Hardy as fashion mentors.[41] Welch has also named Fleetwood Mac pop/rock singer Stevie Nicks as a musical, fashion, and general influence. A Huffington Post entertainment article quotes her as telling a reporter that "I'm pretty obsessed with Stevie Nicks from her style to her voice. I like watching her on YouTube and her old performances, the way she moves and everything". Welch can sometimes be seen in concert paying homage to Nicks' famous billowing stage dress. She later sings in the song "Sweet Nothing" by Calvin Harris showing her as a man in the beginning of the music video, and later showing her as a woman (revealing clothing).[42]

Personal life

Welch had a long-term relationship with a literary editor, Stuart Hammond, from 2008. Their temporary split provided inspiration for much of the Lungs album.[36] Welch says, "He prefers me not to talk about it. It's funny then singing about it."[14] In 2011 the couple broke up by mutual decision because of conflicting career demands, and the breakup provided material for Florence + The Machine's second album Ceremonials.[43]

Discography

Main article: Florence and the Machine discography

As featured artist

List of singles, with selected chart positions and certifications, showing year released and album name
Single Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album
UK AUS BEL (FL) CAN DEN GER IRL NZ SWE SWI US
"Here Lies Love"
(David Byrne & Fatboy Slim featuring Florence Welch) 		2010 — — — — — — — — — — — Here Lies Love
"Sweet Nothing"
(Calvin Harris featuring Florence Welch) 		2012 1 2 80 15 10 19 1 2 53 36 10 18 Months
"—" denotes single that did not chart or was not released.

Album appearances

Title Year Album
"I Come Apart"
(ASAP Rocky featuring Florence Welch) 		2013 Long. Live. ASAP

Filmography

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h Patterson, Sylvia (20 September 2009). "Behind the success of Florence and the Machine". The Sunday Times. London: Times Newspapers. Retrieved 7 March 2010. mirror
  2. ^ "Florence And The Machine open Reading Festival with secret birthday gig". NME. IPC Media. 28 August 2009. Retrieved 18 June 2011.
  3. ^ "Florence Welch". Glamour. Condé Nast Publications. Retrieved 18 June 2011.
  4. ^ Gannon, Louise (14 August 2010). "'The only time my dad worried about me was when Pete Doherty proposed': The world according to Florence Welch". Daily Mail. London: Mail Online. Retrieved 18 June 2011.
  5. ^ a b c Ryan, Francesca (4 June 2009 accessdate=2 May 2010). "Florence and the Machine interview: sound and vision". The Daily Telegraph. London: Telegraph Media Group. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Missing pipe in: |date= (help)
  6. ^ Ephraim Hardcastle http://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/article-2043091/Jonathan-Aitken-Disgraced-MP-event-convicted-drug-dealer.html
  7. ^ "New Vice-Principal for Arts & Sciences at King's". King's College London. Retrieved 22 January 2013.
  8. ^ a b c Odell, Mike (2010). "Florence Attacks!". Q (286). Bauer Media Group: 46–52. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  9. ^ a b Hussey, Patrick (15 May 2008). "Interview: Florence & The Machine". Run Riot. Retrieved 7 March 2010.
  10. ^ "Florence: My Meltdown". Sky Living HD. BSkyB. 23 March 2010. Retrieved 14 March 2011.
  11. ^ Brinton, Jessica (31 May 2009). "Florence and the Machine: Wild at Heart". The Sunday Times. London: Times Newspapers. Retrieved 2 June 2009.
  12. ^ Bell, Sean (26 July 2009). "A piece of my mind: Florence Welch of Florence and the Machine". The Herald. Herald & Times Group. Retrieved 6 March 2010.
  13. ^ Parkin, April (4 April 2007). "Ashok – 'Plans' (Filthy Lucre)". Gigwise. Giant Digital. Retrieved 30 January 2011.[dead link]
  14. ^ a b "INTERVIEW: Florence and the Machine". Yorkshire Evening Post. Yorkshire Post Newspapers. 6 August 2009. Retrieved 8 August 2009.
  15. ^ Sexton, Paul (10 August 2009). "Michael Jackson Extends U.K. Album Chart Run, Tinchy Stryder Notches Second Top Single". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 10 August 2009.
  16. ^ "Heatseekers Albums – Week of July 25, 2009". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 14 June 2011.
  17. ^ "Florence + the Machine Album & Song Chart History – Heatseekers Albums". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 14 June 2011.
  18. ^ Tartanella, Emily (7 July 2009). "Florence and the Machine: Lungs". PopMatters. Retrieved 12 July 2009.
  19. ^ Rey, Benedicte (16 November 2009). "Florence + The Machine: the voice that bewitched pop". AFP. Google News. Retrieved 17 November 2009.
  20. ^ Brown, Helen (1 April 2010). "Here Lies Love: David Byrne and Fatboy Slim, CD review". The Daily Telegraph. London: Telegraph Media Group. Retrieved 8 April 2010.
  21. ^ Perpetua, Matthew (13 January 2011). "Drake to Collaborate With the xx and Florence and the Machine". Rolling Stone. Wenner Media. Retrieved 17 January 2011.
  22. ^ "Florence and the Machine album takes number one". BBC News Online. 7 November 2011. Retrieved 4 December 2011.
  23. ^ Caulfield, Keith (9 November 2011). "Justin Bieber's 'Mistletoe' Brightens Billboard 200 With No. 1 Debut". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 17 March 2012.
  24. ^ "Brit awards 2012: nominations in full". The Guardian. 12 January 2012. Retrieved 5 February 2012.
  25. ^ "Florence And The Machine debut new song 'Breath Of Life'". NME. IPC Media. 26 April 2012. Retrieved 28 April 2012.
  26. ^ Bell, Crystal (26 April 2012). "Florence And The Machine, 'Breath Of Life': Singer Releases New 'Snow White And The Huntsman' Track (AUDIO)". The Huffington Post. Retrieved 28 April 2012.
  27. ^ Saunders, Louise (16 July 2012). "Worth the wait! Florence and the Machine score first ever UK number one single with Spectrum (Say My Name)". Daily Mail. Retrieved 18 July 2012.
  28. ^ "Florence Welch: 'My live shows are like an exorcism'". NME. IPC Media. 31 July 2012. Retrieved 17 August 2012.
  29. ^ Calvin Harris & Florence Welch’s 'Sweet Nothing' debuts at UK No.1: Pressparty
  30. ^ http://therangeplace.forummotions.com/t26-florence-welch?highlight=florence. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  31. ^ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IMwRv-u-jW8. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  32. ^ a b c d e Rosen, Jody (15 November 2011). "Ceremonials". Rolling Stone. Wenner Media. Retrieved 1 November 2011.
  33. ^ a b c Simpson, Dave (3 July 2009). "Florence and the Machine: Lungs". The Guardian. guardian.co.uk. Retrieved 15 November 2011.
  34. ^ "Florence Welch - My London". Evening Standard. Daily Mail and General Trust. 30 July 2009. Retrieved 17 March 2012.
  35. ^ "Visionary Vixen". Los Angeles Times Magazine. Los Angeles Times Communications. 3 January 2011. Retrieved 11 March 2013.
  36. ^ a b Whiteley, Jessica (25 June 2010). "Florence Welch: Splitting from my man was so painful". NOW. IPC Media. Retrieved 17 August 2010.
  37. ^ Marcus, Laura (9 August 2010). "Style Idol: Florence Welch". Venus Zine. Retrieved 23 September 2010.[dead link]
  38. ^ de Burca, Demelza (4 February 2011). "Red hot; Fiery look that top stars are rooting for". Daily Mirror.
  39. ^ Absolute Radio interview 4 February 2009
  40. ^ Ellison, Jesse (23 October 2011). "Florence's Dark Side of Fame Newsweek 23 October 2011". The Daily Beast. The Newsweek Daily Beast Company. Retrieved 18 March 2012.
  41. ^ "Florence Welch's Fashion: 'It's Not Inner Turmoil. It's Total Escapism' Billboard 4 October 2011". Billboard.com. Retrieved 21 November 2011.
  42. ^ Edgar, Michelle (25 May 2011). "Behind the Scenes with Florence and The Machine: Music Unites Interviews Florence Welch". Huffington Post.
  43. ^ Jesse Ellison (23 October 2011). "Florence's Dark Side of Fame Newsweek". Thedailybeast.com. Retrieved 21 November 2011.
  44. ^ "ARIA Charts > Accreditations > 2012 Singles". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 11 September 2012.
  45. ^ "RIANZ Top 40 Singles". Recording Industry Association of New Zealand. Retrieved 7 January 2013.
  46. ^ "Gold & Platinum". Recording Industry Association of America. 31 January 2013. Retrieved 31 January 2013.

External links

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