Plaster is a building material similar to mortar or cement. Like those materials, plaster starts as a dry powder that is mixed with water to form a paste which liberates heat and then hardens. Unlike mortar and cement, plaster remains quite soft after setting, and can be easily manipulated with metal tools or even sandpaper. These characteristics make plaster suitable for a finishing, rather than a load-bearing material.

The term plaster can refer to gypsum plaster (also known as ''plaster of Paris''), lime plaster, or cement plaster.

Types

Gypsum plaster/plaster of Paris

Gypsum plaster, or plaster of Paris, is employed by mixing water with calcium sulfate hemihydrate, nominally CaSO₄·1/2H₂O. This is produced by heating gypsum to about 300°F (150 °C).

:2 CaSO₄·2H₂O → 2 CaSO₄·0.5H₂O + 3 H₂O (released as steam).

When the dry plaster powder is mixed with water, it re-forms into gypsum.

A large gypsum deposit at Montmartre in Paris led gypsum plaster to be commonly known as "plaster of Paris".

One of the skills used in movie and theatrical sets is that of "plasterer", gypsum plaster often being used to simulate the appearance of surfaces of wood, stone, or metal. Nowadays, plasterers are just as likely to use expanded polystyrene, although the job title remains unchanged.

{| class = "wikitable" |- !Type !Start of setting in !Setting time !Volume change |- | 1.A-fast setting || 2 min || 15 min || +1% |- | 2.B-regular setting || 6min || 30min || +1% |- |3.C-slow setting|| 20min || 90min || +2% |}

Lime plaster

Lime plaster is a mixture of calcium hydroxide and sand (or other inert fillers). Carbon dioxide in the atmosphere causes the plaster to set by transforming the calcium hydroxide into calcium carbonate (limestone). Whitewash is based on the same chemistry.

To make lime plaster, limestone (calcium carbonate) is heated to produce quicklime (calcium oxide). Water is then added to produce slaked lime (calcium hydroxide), which is sold as a white powder. Additional water is added to form a paste prior to use. The paste may be stored in air-tight containers. Once exposed to the atmosphere, the calcium hydroxide turns back into calcium carbonate, causing the plaster to set.

Lime plaster was a common building material for wall surfaces in a process known as lath and plaster, whereby a series of wooden strips on a studwork frame was covered with a semi-dry plaster that hardened into a surface. The plaster used in most lath and plaster construction was mainly lime plaster, with a cure time of about a month. To stabilize the lime plaster during curing, small amounts of plaster of Paris were incorporated into the mix. Because plaster of Paris sets quickly, "retardants" were used to slow setting time enough to allow workers to mix large working quantities of lime putty plaster. A modern form of this method uses expanded metal mesh over wood or metal structures, which allows a great freedom of design as it is adaptable to both simple and compound curves. Today this building method has been partly replaced with drywall, also composed mostly of gypsum plaster. In both these methods a primary advantage of the material is that it is resistant to a fire within a room and so can assist in reducing or eliminating structural damage or destruction provided the fire is promptly extinguished.

Lime plaster is used for true frescoes. Pigments, diluted in water, are applied to the still wet plaster.

Cement plaster

Cement plaster is a mixture of suitable plaster, sand, portland cement and water which is normally applied to masonry interiors and exteriors to achieve a smooth surface. Interior surfaces sometimes receive a final layer of gypsum plaster. Walls constructed with stock bricks are normally plastered while face brick walls are not plastered. Various cement-based plasters are also used as proprietary spray fireproofing products. These usually use vermiculite as lightweight aggregate. Heavy versions of such plasters are also in use for exterior fireproofing, to protect LPG vessels, pipe bridges and vessel skirts.

Uses

In architecture

Plaster may also be used to create complex detailing for use in room interiors. These may be geometric (simulating wood or stone) or naturalistic (simulating leaves, vines, and flowers) These are also often used to simulate wood or stone detailing found in more substantial buildings.

In art

Many of the greatest paintings in Europe, like Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel ceiling are executed in fresco, meaning they are painted on a thin layer of wet plaster, called intonaco (in fact the general term for plaster in Italian); the pigments sink into this layer so that the plaster itself becomes the medium holding them, which accounts for the excellent durability of fresco. Additional work may be added ''a secco'' on top of the dry plaster, though this is generally less durable.

Plaster may be cast directly into a damp clay mold. In creating this ''piece molds'' (molds designed for making multiple copies) or ''waste molds'' (for single use) would be made of plaster. This "negative" image, if properly designed, may be used to produce clay productions, which when fired in a kiln become terra cotta building decorations, or these may be used to create cast concrete sculptures. If a plaster positive was desired this would be constructed or cast to form a durable image artwork. As a model for stonecutters this would be sufficient. If intended for producing a bronze casting the plaster positive could be further worked to produce smooth surfaces. An advantage of this plaster image is that it is relatively cheap; should a patron approve of the durable image and be willing to bear further expense, subsequent molds could be made for the creation of a wax image to be used in lost wax casting, a far more expensive process. In lieu of producing a bronze image suitable for outdoor use the plaster image may be painted to resemble a metal image; such sculptures are suitable only for presentation in a weather-protected environment.

Plaster expands while hardening, then contracts slightly just before hardening completely. This makes plaster excellent for use in molds, and it is often used as an artistic material for casting. Plaster is also commonly spread over an armature (form), usually made of wire, mesh or other materials, a process raised details. For these processes, limestone or acrylic based plaster may be employed.

In medicine

Plaster is widely used as a support for broken bones; a bandage impregnated with plaster is moistened and then wrapped around the damaged limb, setting into a close-fitting yet easily removed tube, known as an orthopedic cast; however, this is slowly being replaced by a fibreglass variety.

Plaster is also used within radiotherapy when making immobilization casts for patients. Plaster bandages are used when constructing an impression of the patients head and neck, and liquid plaster is used to fill the impression and produce a plaster bust. Perspex is then vacuum formed over this bust creating an immobilization shell.

In dentistry, plaster is used for mounting casts or models of oral tissues. These diagnostic and working models are usually made from dental stone, a stronger, harder and denser derivative of plaster which is manufactured from gypsum under pressure. Plaster is also used to invest or flask wax dentures, the wax being subsequently removed and replaced with the final denture base material which is cured in the plaster mold.

In fire protection

Plasters have been in use in passive fire protection, as fireproofing products, for many decades.

The finished plaster releases water vapor when exposed to flame, acting to slow the spread of the fire, for as much as an hour or two depending on thickness. It also provides some insulation to retard heat flow into structural steel elements, that would otherwise lose their strength and collapse in a fire. Early versions of these plasters have used asbestos fibres, which have by now been outlawed in industrialized nations and have caused significant removal and re-coating work. More modern plasters fall into the following categories:

fibrous (including mineral wool and glass fiber)

cement mixtures either with mineral wool or with vermiculite

gypsum plasters, leavened with polystyrene beads, as well as chemical expansion agents to decrease the density of the finished product

One differentiates between interior and exterior fireproofing. Interior products are typically less substantial, with lower densities and lower cost. Exterior products have to withstand more extreme fire and other environmental conditions. Exterior products are also more likely to be attractively tooled, whereas their interior cousins are usually merely sprayed in place. A rough surface is typically forgiven inside of buildings as dropped ceilings often hide them. Exterior fireproofing plasters are losing ground to more costly intumescent and endothermic products, simply on technical merit. Trade jurisdiction on unionized construction sites in North America remains with the plasterers, regardless of whether the plaster is decorative in nature or is used in passive fire protection. Cementitious and gypsum based plasters tend to be endothermic. Fireproofing plasters are closely related to firestop mortars. Most firestop mortars can be sprayed and tooled very well, due to the fine detail work that is required of firestopping, which leads their mix designers to utilise concrete admixtures, that enable easier tooling than common mortars.

Safety issues

The chemical reaction that occurs when plaster is mixed with water is exothermic in nature and can therefore cause severe burns. The potential dangers were demonstrated in January 2007, when a sixteen-year-old girl suffered third-degree burns after encasing her hands in a bucket of plaster as part of a school art project in Lincolnshire, England. The burns were so severe that she subsequently had both thumbs and six of her fingers amputated. For this reason only thin layers of plaster should be used, with time to cool between layers, or strips of cloth in plaster laid-up in the method used by the medical field. In place of plaster, alginate can safely be used for casting body parts.

Some variations of plaster that contain powdered silica or asbestos may present health hazards if inhaled. Asbestos is a known irritant when inhaled in powder form can cause cancer, especially in people who smoke, and inhalation can also cause asbestosis. Inhaled silica can cause silicosis and (in very rare cases) can encourage the development of cancer. Persons working regularly with plaster containing these additives should take precautions to avoid inhaling powdered plaster, cured or uncured. (Note that asbestos is rarely used in modern plaster formulations because of its carcinogenic effects.)

See also

References

Category:Building materials Category:Wallcoverings Category:Sculpture materials Category:Calcium compounds Category:Hydrates Category:Plastering

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name	Nicole Atkins
background	solo_singer
born	October 01, 1978Neptune, New Jersey, U.S.
instrument	Guitar (Hagstrom Viking, Fender Jazzmaster, Martin D15)
genre	Psychedelic, alternative, folk rock
years active	2002–present
label	Razor & Tie Records, Columbia, Red Ink
website	www.nicoleatkins.com }}

Nicole Atkins (born October 1, 1978) is an American singer-songwriter best known for her work with the band Nicole Atkins & the Sea. Her sound is known for its mix of traditional vocal styles and introspective lyrics. She has been compared to Roy Orbison and singers from the Brill Building era.

Early life

Atkins was born in Neptune, New Jersey. She grew up in Shark River Hills, a middle class enclave within Neptune overlooking the Shark River. Atkins has cited the river (technically a bay) as a major inspiration for her music, particularly the imagery of “the river in the rain” found in the title track on her album ''Neptune City''. She started playing piano when she was 9 and taught herself to play guitar at 13. Her first music purchase, at the suggestion of an uncle, was a cassette of Traffic’s ''John Barleycorn Must Die''. She eschewed more popular acts of the day for musical groups her parents listened to, such as The Ronettes and Johnny Cash. She has also cited The Sundays’ Harriet Wheeler as a major early influence on her own singing style. She started playing in pick-up bands and doing gigs at local coffeehouses while attending St. Rose High School in the nearby town of Belmar.

Career

North Carolina and New York

After high school, Atkins moved to Charlotte, North Carolina to study illustration at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. She ingrained herself within the city’s independent music scene, discovering bands like Superchunk and Uncle Tupelo. She also started writing original songs and making friends with other local musicians. Among other bands, she joined a supergroup in the city called Nitehawk that, at one point, had almost 30 members. Atkins spent her junior year abroad in Australia. After she returned, she joined the band Los Parasols, releasing an EP with them entitled ''The Summer of Love'' in 2002. That same year, Atkins moved to the neighborhood of Bensonhurst in Brooklyn, New York. She began performing at open mic night at the Sidewalk Café in Manhattan’s East Village. Influenced by the artists on Rainbow Quartz, the independent record label specializing in guitar heavy pop music and traditional songwriting for which she worked, she moved away from the louder rock music she’d played in North Carolina and toward the songcraft style of Wilco and Roy Orbison. She returned briefly to Charlotte, living in a wood shop and playing with several bands, most notably a group called Virginia Reel. At this time, she started writing what she termed “a mix of Americana, 60s, and indie rock.” She also recorded her EP ''Bleeding Diamonds''.

She moved back to her parents’ house in New Jersey in 2004, working odd jobs and playing local gigs. During a regular Friday night stand at Kelly’s Tavern in nearby Neptune City, the audience kept requesting cover songs by local favorites Bruce Springsteen and Jon Bon Jovi. In response, Atkins got drunk and played a tongue-in-cheek version of Bon Jovi’s “Livin' on a Prayer”. She was not asked back.

During this time, she commuted into New York by train to play gigs and maintain a connection to the city’s underground music scene. In mid-2004, Atkins and David Muller, who had played drums with Fischerspooner and The Fiery Furnaces, started working on a demo CD entitled ''Party’s Over''. They recorded most of the album in Atkins’ parents’ house using a Casio keyboard, a ProTools rig, and a mini recorder. Drum parts were recorded at Muller’s apartment in Manhattan, with further tracks recorded at the Dietch Projects gallery in Brooklyn.

The Sea and ''Neptune City''

In early 2005, keyboardist Dan Chen, whom Atkins knew from her days at The Sidewalk Café, approached Atkins about forming a new group. Chen told Atkins he knew of a drummer, Dan Mintzer, who might also be interested in playing with her. When the three sat down together for the first time, Chen and Mintzer already knew how to play the songs they’d heard on Atkins' MySpace page. Eventually David Hollinghurst, another friend from The Sidewalk Café, joined the band on guitar and Derek Layes was brought on as bassist. The band, now known as Nicole Atkins & The Sea, was given a residency at the small showcase bar, Piano's, and won the attention of music industry attorney Gillian Bar. Atkins' ''Party’s Over'' demo had stirred interest from heavy metal label Roadrunner Records, among others. She soon found herself in the midst of a bidding war between record labels and signed with Columbia Records in January 2006. In late 2006, Atkins and the Sea traveled to Sweden to record her debut album, ''Neptune City'', at Varispeed Studios in Kalgerup and Gula Studion in Malmö with producer Tore Johansson. The album was originally scheduled for a July 2007 release, but at the behest of Columbia co-chairman Rick Rubin, it was pushed back until October 30, 2007 to accommodate re-mastering the album. It debuted at number 20 on Billboard’s Top Heatseekers chart and reached number 6 on the Heatseekers Middle Atlantic Chart.

The Black Sea and ''Mondo Amore''

In May 2009, The Sea disbanded and Atkins started collaborating on several new tracks with drummer Christopher Donofrio, guitarist Brad York, and bassist Anthony Chick. Atkins tentatively titled this lineup "The Black Sea". By July 2009, Atkins had ended her professional relationship with Columbia Records.

In January 2010, Atkins and The Black Sea started recording new material at Brooklyn's Seaside Lounge studio with producer Phil Palazzolo, with whom Atkins had previously worked during sessions for A.C. Newman's second solo album, ''Get Guilty''. Several other musicians joined Atkins in the studio to record the tracks for what would become her second album, ''Mondo Amore'', including guitarist Irina Yalkowsky and bassist Jeremy Kay. Along with drummer Ezra Oklan, Yalkowsky and Kay would form the core lineup of the The Black Sea with whom Atkins would tour in support of ''Mondo Amore''. In June 2010, Atkins signed with New York-based independent label Razor & Tie. The label released ''Mondo Amore'' on February 8, 2011.

Other work

In 2008, Atkins was cast as the voice of the mother in director Geoff Marslett’s animated sci-fi comedy film “Mars.”. On September 9 of that year, she released a four track EP of cover songs called ''Nicole Atkins Digs Other People's Songs'', which included the tracks: "The Crystal Ship" (The Doors), "Dream a Little Dream of Me" (The Mamas & the Papas), "Under the Milky Way" (The Church) and "Inside of Love" (Nada Surf). In 2009, Atkins' backing vocals were featured prominently on AC Newman's second solo album, Get Guilty.

Atkins also joined the 9th annual Independent Music Awards judging panel to assist independent musicians' careers.

When not on the road, she lives in Brooklyn, New York.

Influence of David Lynch

Atkins has often cited director David Lynch, known for his surreal films set in small towns, as an inspiration. Like Atkins, Lynch studied art in college and moved overseas with the intention of continuing his studies. And just as Atkins worked as a muralist while developing her music, Lynch worked as a cartoonist on the side during the 1980s. Lynch’s cinematic style, which uses dreamlike sequences and montages, heavily influenced the video for Atkins' song “The Way It Is.” Atkins also feels a kinship with Angelo Badalamenti, who has scored many of Lynch’s films. She once emailed an mp3 of “The Way It Is” to Badalamenti, who is said to have replied, “I think our Sicilian great-great-great-grandparents must have laid down on a picnic blanket in the park and done something together, if you know what I mean.” Atkins subsequently received an invitation to Badalamenti's home in Morristown, New Jersey to talk music.

Television appearances

American Express commercial

Prior to the release of ''Neptune City'', Atkins and the Sea filmed a television commercial for the American Express credit card's "Are You A Cardmember?" campaign. The song sampled throughout the ad is "Party's Over" from the album ''Neptune City''.

Old Navy Summer 2008 commercial

''Maybe Tonight'' off the ''Neptune City'' album, has been used in two TV spots / web minisodes for the Old Navy Summer 2008 Spotlight Collection. The two commercials follow the girls from the Spring 2008 commercials as they prepare for the ''2008 MTV Movie Awards''.

''The Late Show with David Letterman''

Atkins appeared twice within three months on the late night television show ''The Late Show with David Letterman'' in 2007. On the August 27th show, she performed as part of a chorus backing up Canadian singer-songwriter Feist on the latter’s “1 2 3 4". The chorus, all dressed in white, also included members of Broken Social Scene, The National, Grizzly Bear, The New Pornographers, and Mates of State, as well as photographer Mary Rozzi. On the October 30th show, the same day ''Neptune City'' was released, Atkins and The Sea performed “The Way It Is.” Host David Letterman offered an enthusiastic response and jokingly asked Atkins, “Wanna get some steak?” after the song was over. She returned to the ''Late Show'' April 13, 2009 as a guest vocalist for A.C. Newman, with whom she had been touring earlier in the year, playing the tambourine and singing on his song "Like A Hitman, Like A Dancer".

''Later... with Jools Holland''

On September 19, 2008, Atkins made her British television debut on the BBC late night music show, ''Later... with Jools Holland'', performing her songs "The Way It Is" and "Maybe Tonight". The show's other guests included Sway, Metallica, VV Brown, Carla Bruni, and Kings of Leon.

Discography

with Los Parasols

2002: ''The Summer of Love'' (EP)

Compilations

2008: ''The Hotel Café Presents Winter Songs'' Epic

(Atkins contributed a cover of Billy Hayes' and Jay Johnson's Blue Christmas)

2009: ''Scott Walker – 30 Century Man''

(Atkins contributed a cover of Scott Walker's The Seventh Seal

Solo

2005: ''Party’s Over'' (demo)

2006: ''Bleeding Diamonds'', ''EP'' Columbia

2007: ''Neptune City'' Columbia

2008: ''Nicole Atkins Digs Other People's Songs'', ''EP'' Columbia

2011: ''Mondo Amore''

Awards and nominations

2002

Asbury Music Awards winner: Top Female Vocalist

Asbury Music Awards Winner: Best Solo Act

Asbury Music Awards Winner: Song of the Year – "Neptune City"

2005

ASCAP Foundation winner: Sammy Cahn Award – "Neptune City"

References

External links

Nicole Atkins – official website.

Nicole Atkins on YouTube

Nicole Atkins on Twitter

Category:1978 births Category:Living people Category:American singer-songwriters Category:Columbia Records artists Category:Musicians from New Jersey Category:People from Neptune Township, New Jersey Category:University of North Carolina at Charlotte alumni Category:American people of Sicilian descent Category:American musicians of Italian descent

es:Nicole Atkins fy:Nicole Atkins pt:Nicole Atkins

name	Marina and the Diamonds
background	solo_singer
birth name	Marina Lambrini Diamandis
birth date	October 10, 1985
birth place	Abergavenny, Monmouthshire, Wales
instrument	Vocals, keyboard, piano, glockenspiel, casio VL-tone, organ
genre	Indie pop, New Wave
occupation	Singer-songwriter, musician
years active	2007–present
label	Neon Gold, 679, Chop Shop
website	}}

Marina Lambrini Diamandis (, pronounced ; born 10 October 1985), better known by her stage name Marina and the Diamonds (sometimes stylised as Marina & the diamonds), is a Welsh singer-songwriter. She rose to fame after reaching number two on the BBC Sound of 2010 poll list, coming second to Ellie Goulding. After releasing one private EP, Diamandis released her second extended play, ''The Crown Jewels EP'', with help from Neon Gold Records, in 2009. Now signed to 679 Recordings, she released her debut full length studio album, ''The Family Jewels'', followed by her third extended play, ''The American Jewels EP'', in 2010. In 2011, Marina announce that she was working on her second album, "Electra Heart", no date has been announced. The first single from the second album is called "Radioactive" and is to release in the UK, on 3rd October 2011.

Her stage name, "Marina and the Diamonds", consists of Diamandis's first name and the translation of her surname which means "Diamonds" in Greek. Although "The Diamonds" is often mistakenly believed to refer to her backing band, it in fact refers to Diamandis's fans: she explains this on her Myspace page by saying "I'm Marina Diamandis. You are my fans."

Diamandis's musical style ranges from keyboard-based ballads to more up-tempo New Wave-style songs with full band backing. She has cited a wide-range of influences such as Daniel Johnston, Blondie, The Distillers, Patti Smith, Tom Waits, Nirvana, PJ Harvey, Yann Tiersen, Elliott Smith, Dolly Parton and Madonna.

Background

Diamandis was born in Abergavenny, Wales to a Greek father and a Welsh mother, and brought up in the village of Pandy with her parents and her older sister. She attended Haberdashers' Monmouth School for Girls, of which she said "I sort of found my talent there... I was the one who always skived off choir, but I had an incredible music teacher who managed to convince me I could do anything." When her parents separated, Diamandis moved to Greece when she was sixteen years old to live with her father but returned to Wales two years later.

Diamandis moved to London at the age of eighteen where she attended dance school for only two months. Following this, in 2005 she took a one year singing course at Tech Music Schools. Diamandis enrolled on a degree in music at the University of East London, transferring in her second year of studies to Middlesex University, but she later dropped out. She went for many auditions including the West End musical, ''The Lion King''. Diamandis admitted that she auditioned for a reggae boy band, held by Virgin Records, in 2005 to try to make it into the music business. She said she was "delusional with drive" and ultimately decided to dress up in male attire to try to amuse the record label to sign her, but she was unsuccessful. However, she was called back by the record label a week later.

Diamandis has a synaesthetic condition that involves seeing musical notes and days of the week in different colours.

Musical career

2005–2009: Early career

In 2005, Diamandis created the name "Marina and the Diamonds". When describing the origin of the name, she said:

Early demos of Marina and the Diamonds' songs were self composed and produced on the Apple software application Garageband. Through Gumtree she found someone to produce a few tracks, for which she paid £500. These ended up on her debut extended play ''Mermaid Vs. Sailor EP'' which was released on 23 November 2007. The record was created on hand-made CD-Rs by Diamandis and sold through her MySpace page. An estimated seventy copies were sold overall.

In January 2008, Diamandis was first discovered by music scouter Derek Davies of Neon Gold Records. Davies booked Diamandis to open for Australian singer Gotye later that year where Warner Music Group first saw her and ended up signing her in October 2008 to 679 Recordings. Diamandis's debut single was a double a-side consisting of "Obsessions" and "Mowgli's Road" which was issued on Neon Gold Records in the United States on 19 November 2008, followed by her second extended play ''The Crown Jewels EP'' on 1 June 2009 featuring her second single "I Am Not a Robot". Her first major label single, a re-recording of "Mowgli's Road", was released on 13 November 2009 under 679 Recordings in the UK and through Atlantic Records in the USA. On 7 December 2009 she was listed on the longlist for the BBC Sound of 2010 poll, and on 7 January 2010 it was announced that she had taken second place.

2008–2010: The Family Jewels

Marina and the Diamonds' debut album ''The Family Jewels'' was released on 22 February 2010. It peaked at number five in the UK Albums Chart and was certified silver in the United Kingdom days before its release. A re-release of "Mowgli's Road" was released as the album's lead single on 13 November 2009. However, the song "Hollywood" was released as the first major single from the album on 1 February 2010. A re-release of "I Am Not a Robot" on the 26 April 2010 became the album's third single. Diamandis said she decided to re-release the song because "people seem to empathize and relate with the song, regardless of gender or age." thumb|right|150px|Marina and the Diamonds at The Wonder Bar in Asbury Park, NJ"Oh No!" became the album's fourth single on 2 August 2010. "Shampain" became the album's fifth single on 11 October 2010. She embarked on her first headlining tour on 14 February 2010, consisting of seventy dates around the United Kingdom, Ireland, mainland Europe, the United States and Canada.

Early on in 2010, Diamandis has been collaborating with producer Benny Blanco and guitarist Dave Sitek in Los Angeles on new material which she describes to be "a really great opportunity for me as a songwriter. [We are] such a weird threesome - a combination of super pop and really indie".

In March 2010, Atlantic Records signed Marina and the Diamonds to Chop Shop Records in the United States. Before the album's American release on 25 May 2010, Diamandis released her third extended play, ''The American Jewels EP'', digitally and exclusively for the United States on 23 March 2010. Diamandis made her North American debut on 14 March 2010 through a series of performances.

Marina and the Diamonds was nominated for Critics' Choice at the 2010 BRIT Awards and came fifth in ''SHREDnews''' "Ten Artists To Watch in 2010" list in March 2010. She also won the award for Best UK & Ireland Act at the 2010 MTV EMA awards, sending her into the Best European Act category, although she failed to reach the top 5 nominees.

2011–present: Electra Heart

Marina announced at a concert in Glasgow on the 1st of November, that she would be releasing new material as early as October 2011, although has since announced via her website that she is unsure how long it will take for the album to be completed. There is still no such indication as to date of release. In a January 2011 interview, she announced that her second album will mainly be about the female sexuality and feminism. On January 19, Diamandis was announced as a support act for the US leg of Katy Perry's "California Dreams Tour". Three early demos were leaked in early 2011, called "Sex, Yeah!", "Living Dead" and "Jealousy", each showing a more pop sound. A number of these previously unreleased tracks have been performed as part of the Burger Queen Tour. "Jealousy" made its television debut at the 2011 Glammy Awards in Germany. Of the leaked tracks it is so far the only to be confirmed for the new album, yet according to Diamondis "has nothing to do with the concept of the album". She is currently recording material with producers Guy Sigsworth, Labrinth, Greg Kurstin, Diplo, Dr. Luke, Stargate and Liam Howe.

On 8th August 2011 at 4pm, Diamandis uploaded a new video to her Youtube page titled "Part 1: Fear & Loathing". In an interview with Popjustice, Marina explained the whole concept of "Electra Heart" with the album to be under the same title and "Fear & Loathing" as an album track, and to be released on iTunes on September the 25th. However this will not be an official single. The high concept video for it sees Marina slowly transforming into the character of Electra Heart, a guise Marina says "epitomises and embodies the lies, illusions and death of American ideologies involved in the corruption of self." but will however not be an alter-ego as Marina says it is too "clichéd". Asked to describe just what Electra Heart is and stands for, Marina told Popjustice: "Electra Heart is the antithesis of everything that I stand for. And the point of introducing her and building a whole concept around her is that she stands for the corrupt side of American ideology, and basically that’s the corruption of yourself. My worst fear - that’s anyone’s worst fear - is losing myself and becoming a vacuous person. And that happens a lot when you’re very ambitious." The second song, 'Radioactive' produced by Stargate premiered on BBC Radio 1 on 22 August 2011. It is set to be released on iTunes on 3rd October 2011. Further developing the Electra Heart concept "Part 2: Radioactive" the official music video for the single premiered.

Aside from music, Diamandis became the new face of Max Factor. The venture was confirmed early 2011 with a number of photoshoots since taking place.

Music style and influences

Marina and the Diamonds has been influenced by a wide-range of musicians from PJ Harvey to Britney Spears. Diamandis has also noted Daniel Johnston as one of her major influences saying:

Diamandis calls herself a "DIY musician" and describes her sound as an alternative to mainstream pop music. In an interview with ''ClashMusic'' Diamandis said that she does not come from a musical background and explained “I probably have a bit of a different sound because I don’t really know what I’m doing”. Lyrically, she says her music analyzes people and that if she wasn't a musician, she would be a psychologist.

Critics usually catalogue Marina and the Diamonds as a New Wave pop artist. In an interview with ''The Guardian'' she said, "I suppose I'm an indie artist with pop goals". Although Diamandis has urged that she never tries to sound like any other artist or copy a genre of music, she has been compared to a variety of artists such as Kate Bush and most commonly Florence and the Machine. ''PopMatters'' commented on her vocal delivery and attitude saying it "has a tendency to overshadow the music, which is often melodically inventive, but we are rarely given the chance to realise this." ''The Guardian'''s Paul Lester wrote that "her songs are hard to fathom. They veer between simple keyboards-based ballads and more upbeat and catchy, quirky new wave-inflected numbers enhanced by percussion, guitar and drums."

Public image

As well as her music, Marina and the Diamonds is also notable for her unique attire. When asked in an interview to describe her fashion style in three words, Diamandis said "vintage, cheerleader and cartoon". You can see an element of this style in the video for 'Oh No!' Which was released in June 2010.She has praised model/DJ Leigh Lezark's fashion style and called Gwen Stefani her definitive style icon calling her image "cartoonized but in a very fresh way". Diamandis has mentioned that she sometimes makes her own outfits with clothes she buys from charity shops. She also collects vintage cheer jackets. She has often been seen wearing clothes by Jean-Charles de Castelbajac, Laura Mackness, Beyond Retro, Motel Rocks, Jervoise Jackets amongst others. Diamandis has admitted that she would "like to do something in fashion, not designing, not one of those skanky celebrity lines, but being involved behind the scenes".

As part of Selfridges' "Sound of Music", Diamandis designed her own window display for the London's Oxford Street branch in May 2010. She also appeared as a "live mannequin" for the display. Marina was featured on VOGUE.CO.UK throughout November 2010 for a popular sartorial section called Today I'm Wearing - where she blogged her daily style choices for the fashion website. On 20 December 2010, Diamandis announced on her Twitter that she would be the new face of the new make up range "Max Factor Max Colour Effects" and performed an intimate gig at London's Cuckoo Club.

Discography

;Studio albums

2010: ''The Family Jewels''

2011: ''Electra Heart''

;Extended plays

2007: ''Mermaid Vs. Sailor EP''

2009: ''The Crown Jewels EP''

2010: ''The American Jewels EP''

Touring

In 2009, Marina and the Diamonds played at BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend in Swindon early in May 2009, Glastonbury Festival in June 2009, and the Reading and Leeds Festivals in August 2009.

In promotion for her album and "Hollywood", Diamandis performed at Brand New: 10 for 10 at London's Dingwalls, had an eleven minute 4Music special - ''4Play: Marina and the Diamonds'' - on Channel 4, performed at T4's Outside-In Festival, New to Q Sessions in January 2010, was a musical guest on GMTV, ''Friday Night with Jonathan Ross'', ''The Review Show'' in February, 2010 and ''Later... with Jools Holland'' and T4's ''Frock Me!'' in April, 2010. She performed at the Isle of Wight Festival 2010 and Glastonbury Festival 2010 in June 2010 and is planned to appear at other music festivals across the United Kingdom, mainland Europe and North America.

Diamandis had already sold out the first leg of her first headlining tour, The Family Jewels Tour (including the third leg of her tour, The Gem Tour) before the release of her debut album. Her entire tour currently consists of seventy dates across six legs around the United Kingdom, North America, Ireland and mainland Europe. Diamandis was accompanied by support acts Clock Opera and Alan Pownall for the first leg of her tour and Spark on The Gem Tour.

;Tours

The Family Jewels Tour (February 2010 — September 2010)

The Burger Queen Tour (October 2010 - onwards)

California Dreams Tour (Supporting - 22 June - 9 July)

Backing band

;Current members

Peter Carr – electronic keyboard

Dan Gulino – bass

Jonathon Shone - keyboard

Sebastian Sternberg – drums

;Past members

Ben Epstein – bass

Nick Harsant – bass

Nick Johnson – drums

Tom Holdroyd – guitar

Chris Morris – drums

Awards and nominations

{| class="wikitable" |- ! style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Year ! style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Organisation ! style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Nominated work ! style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Award ! style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Result |- |rowspan="12"|2010 |BBC Sound of 2010 |Marina and the Diamonds |Sound of 2010 |style="background:lightgrey" |Second place |- |2010 BRIT Awards |Marina and the Diamonds |Critics' Choice | |- |SHREDnews |Marina and the Diamonds |Ten Artists To Watch in 2010 |style="background:lightgrey" |Fifth place |- |2010 NME Awards |Marina and the Diamonds |Hottest Woman | |- |2010 BT Digital Music Awards |Marina and the Diamonds |Breakthrough Artist of the Year | |- |rowspan="2"|MTV Europe Music Awards |Marina and the Diamonds |Best UK & Irish Act | |- |Marina and the Diamonds |Best European Act | |- |UK Festival Awards 2010 |Marina and the Diamonds |Best Breakthrough Act | |- |rowspan="3"|4Music Video Honours |Marina and the Diamonds |Hottest Girl of 2010 |style="background:lightgrey" |Eighth place |- |Marina and the Diamonds |Box Biggest Breakthrough of 2010 |style="background:lightgrey" |Tenth place |- |Hollywood |Best Video of 2010 | |- ||Virgin Media Music Awards |Marina and the Diamonds |Best Newcomer | |- |rowspan="1"|2011 ||Glamour Women of the Year Awards |Marina and the Diamonds |Best Band | |-

References

External links

Marina and the Diamonds on BBC Wales

Fan news site .net

Fan news site .org

Fan site documenting Marina's live career

Review of Marina and the Diamonds, Deaf Institute Manchester February 2010 Contact Music

Marina and the Diamonds on VOGUE.COM's Today I'm Wearing

Marina and the Diamonds Videography

Marina and the Diamonds Discography and Collectors Guide

Category:1985 births Category:679 Artists artists Category:Alumni of Middlesex University Category:Alumni of the University of East London Category:Atlantic Records artists Category:British people of Greek descent Category:English-language singers Category:Female New Wave singers Category:Glockenspiel players Category:Indie pop musicians Category:Keyboardists Category:Living people Category:People from Abergavenny Category:People from London Category:People with synesthesia Category:Warner Music Group artists Category:Welsh female singers Category:Welsh organists Category:Welsh pop pianists Category:Welsh pop singers Category:Welsh singer-songwriters Category:Wonky Pop acts Category:People educated at Haberdashers' Monmouth School for Girls

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