Ellie Goulding
Goulding performing at Lincoln Hall, Chicago, U.S., March 30, 2011.
Background information
Birth name	Elena Jane Goulding
Born	(1986-12-30) 30 December 1986 (age 25) Hereford, Herefordshire, England
Origin	London, England
Genres	Indie pop, electropop, synthpop, folktronica
Occupations	Singer-songwriter, guitarist, pianist, drummer
Instruments	Vocals, guitar, drums, piano, clarinet, mandolin, tambourine
Years active	2007–present
Labels	Neon Gold, Polydor, Cherrytree, Interscope
Associated acts	Starsmith, Frankmusik, Diana Vickers, Gabriella Cilmi, Little Boots, Tinie Tempah, Erik Hassle, Lissie, Mumford & Sons, Skrillex,Swedish House Mafia, Lupe Fiasco, DJ Daaar
Website	elliegoulding.com

Elena Jane Goulding (born 30 December 1986),^[1] known professionally as Ellie Goulding, is an English singer-songwriter. In 2010 she became the second artist to both top the BBC's annual Sound of... poll and win the Critics' Choice Award at the BRIT Awards in the same year, following Adele's win of both in 2008. After signing to Polydor Records in 2009, she released her first EP in 2009, An Introduction to Ellie Goulding, followed by her debut studio album Lights in 2010. Her album debuted at number one on the UK Albums Chart and has sold over 650,000 copies in the UK. "Lights" was released in America March 8th 2011, where the title track has been certified platinum by the RIAA (excess of 1 million units sold) ^[2].

Goulding is a soprano,^[3] and her musical style has been compared to that of Kate Nash, Meiko, Lykke Li and Tracey Thorn.^[4]

Background and personal life[link]

Goulding was born and brought up in a small town near Hereford, Herefordshire, the second of four children.^[5][6] She began playing the clarinet at the age of nine, and at 14 began learning guitar. She attended Lady Hawkins' School in Kington, where she won a main part in a school production, the Wizard Of Oz, as the scarecrow. She started songwriting at the age of 15 and while in college she won a singing competition.^[7]

After commencing a drama course, politics course, and an English course at the University of Kent,^[8] where she was exposed to electronic music, she developed her sound on the track "Wish I Stayed" with the help of Starsmith and Frankmusik. Starsmith went on to become her chief collaborator and primary producer of Lights. After two years at Kent, she was advised to take a gap year to pursue singing,^[9][10] and moved to West London.^[11]

She is a keen runner, running six miles every day, and in 2010 announced plans to run a marathon.^[6] In support of her second EP, Run Into the Light, she invited a small number of fans through her Facebook pages, to run with her in seven different cities on her UK tour,^[12] and has announced that she will be doing the same across Europe and the United States. Goulding is considered to have an impressively athletic physique.^[13][14][15]

Music career[link]

Early career[link]

Signed to Polydor Records in September 2009,^[9] Goulding's debut single, "Under the Sheets", was released digitally in the United Kingdom on 15 November 2009,^[16] peaking at number fifty-three on the UK Singles Chart.^[17] In October 2009 she toured the UK supporting Little Boots,^[18] and appeared on Later... with Jools Holland, performing "Under the Sheets" and "Guns and Horses".^[19] "Wish I Stayed" was available as a free download as the Single of the Week on iTunes Store UK from 22–28 December 2009.^[20]

[edit] 2009–11: Lights and Bright Lights

Before the release of her debut studio album, Goulding won the BBC Sound of 2010 poll, which showcases the critics, broadcasters and music industry insiders' top choices for rising stars and artists for the coming year.^[21] She also won the Critics' Choice Award at the 2010 BRIT Awards, which prize made her the second artist to win both in the same year.^[22]

Goulding performing in Amsterdam on 17 September 2010.

Goulding's debut album Lights was released in March 2010, reaching number one on the UK Albums Chart and number six on the Irish Albums Chart.^[23][24][25] Its singles, "Starry Eyed", "Guns and Horses" and "The Writer" peaked at numbers 4, 26, and 19 respectively.^[17] The album has sold over 650,000 copies in the UK as of April 2012.^[26] In August 2010, Goulding released a second EP, Run Into the Light, containing remixes of songs from Lights. The album was supported by Nike and was released through Polydor as a running soundtrack in an effort to get Goulding's music taken up by the national running subculture.^[12]

In November 2010, Lights was re-released as Bright Lights, with six new tracks added. It was originally announced that the lead single from Bright Lights would be the new edit of the title track with a release scheduled for 1 November 2010.^[27] Yet this was scrapped to allow her cover of Elton John's "Your Song" to be released in conjunction with the John Lewis Christmas 2010 advertising campaign in the UK.^[28] The single became Goulding's highest-charting single to date, reaching number two on the UK Singles Chart.^[17] The song also charted in some European countries in early 2011.^[29]

Goulding toured in support of Lights and supported Passion Pit in March 2010 and John Mayall during his British tour in May 2010.^[30] During the summer she performed at a number of festivals. On 29 May she performed at the Dot to Dot Festival in Bristol.^[12] She performed a set on 25 June at the Glastonbury Festival 2010 on the John Peel Stage.^[31] Her third EP was a live recording of part of her set at the iTunes Festival 2010.^[32] The whole set was ultimately included as bonus content on the iTunes version of Bright Lights.^[33] She made her T in the Park debut on 11 July.^[34] She played on the Nissan Juke Arena at the 2010 V Festival in late August.^[35] In September she was part of the line-up at Bestival 2010 on the Isle of Wight.^[36] In support of the album in Europe she performed on the first day of Pukkelpop in Belgium, at the Open'er Festival in Poland and at Benicàssim in Spain.^[37] A track from Lights, "Every Time You Go", was featured in the Vampire Diaries episode "Founder's Day", "Your Biggest Mistake" appeared in an episode of The Inbetweeners.^[38] and "Believe Me" appeared in an episode of 90210. She began a tour of the United States and Canada in February 2011 to coincide with the release of the American edition of Lights.^[39] In August/September 2010 the singer was an opening act on Irish alternative rock band U2's U2 360 Tour in Munich, Germany, Vienna, Austria, and Zurich, Switzerland.^{[citation needed]}

In January 2011 it was announced that the title track from Lights would serve as the second single from Bright Lights.^[40] In early 2011 she recorded an original song for the film Life in a Day. Goulding was placed at number five on Rolling Stone's annual hot list in February 2011.^[41] In February 2011 she returned to the BRIT Awards where she was nominated for Best British Female and Best British Breakthrough Act, but lost out to Laura Marling and Tinie Tempah, respectively.^[42] Previously she had performed at the BRITs launch party where the nominations were announced.

She also played live at Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in April 2011.^[6] Goulding made her American television debut on Jimmy Kimmel Live on 7 April 2011 performing "Starry Eyed". She appeared as the musical guest on the 700th episode of the Saturday Night Live, broadcast 7 May 2011 and hosted by Tina Fey.^[43][44] She served as one of many live performers at the wedding reception of Prince William and Kate Middleton on 29 April 2011 singing her rendition of "Your Song" for the couple's first dance as well as her hits "The Writer" and "Starry Eyed" and several of William and Kate's personal favourites.^[45] She was introduced to Prince William by Tinie Tempah at a music festival during the summer of 2010. Goulding performed, for the second consecutive year, at Radio 1's Big Weekend on Saturday 14 May.^[46]

Goulding headlined the 2011 Wakestock Festival in Wales, performing on 8 July.^[47] In August she, again, performed at V Festival for her second year in a row.^[48] Following the re-release of Lights and the American release of the album, Goulding said she would soon begin work on a second studio album with an expected release in September 2011.^[49]

On 6 August 2011, Goulding performed at Lollapalooza in Chicago.^[50] Goulding performed at the annual Nobel Peace Prize Concert on 11 December 2011 in Oslo, Norway, where she also served on a panel discussion with Amy Lee of Evanescence and Janelle Monáe.^[51] On 1 December 2011, Goulding performed at the White House during the National Christmas Tree lighting ceremony, alongside the likes of Big Time Rush and will.i.am.^[52] On 18 January 2012, Goulding performed "Lights" on Late Show with David Letterman.^[53]

2011–present: Second studio album[link]

In February 2011, Goulding told the Daily Star that she had plans to release a follow-up to Lights sometime in 2012, commenting, "I'm not going to go away for ages. It'll be out this year or the start of next."^[54] The following month, when asked about the album's musical direction in an interview with gossip website Dean Piper's World, Goulding stated, "It's started to sound very dark and very weird. This album is going to be even more emotional [...] I wanted to make it so there is hope. I want to make an effect whether it's happy or sad."^[55] In April 2012, Goulding stated that she hoped the album would be released in October 2012.^[26] That same month, her single Lights was certified platinum in the United States by the RIAA ^[56].

Work with other artists[link]

Goulding co-wrote "Love Me 'Cause You Want To" for Gabriella Cilmi's second album, Ten, and three songs, "Remake Me + You", "Notice" and "Jumping Into Rivers", for Diana Vickers's debut album, Songs from the Tainted Cherry Tree.^[57] Her song "Not Following" was used by German singer Lena on her debut album My Cassette Player.^[58] Goulding was featured on rapper Tinie Tempah's single "Wonderman" from his debut studio album Disc-Overy. Goulding's "Under the Sheets" was also remixed by American rap duo Chiddy Bang, featured on their 2010 mixtape Air Swell, and by DJ Frenzy (F^K Y3AH! Breaks Mix). Frankmusik, who produced Goulding's song "Wish I Stayed", told Digital Spy he hoped to collaborate with her on his second album, Do It in the AM.^[59] "Lights" was remixed by Bassnectar, which appears on his 2011 album Divergent Spectrum.

On 19 September 2011, it was announced that Goulding would open for Katy Perry on her "California Dreams Tour", replacing Jessie J due to a foot injury.^[60][61]

On 14 December 2011, Mika announced that Goulding had involvement in his upcoming album The Origin of Love.^[62]

Goulding collaborated with American electro artist and producer Skrillex on a song titled "Summit", included on his 2011 EP Bangarang.

Discography[link]

• 2010: Lights

Tours[link]

Headlining[link] Ellie Goulding Tour (2010) The LIGHTS Tour (US) (2011) Awards and nominations[link] Year Organization Nominated work Category Result 2010 BBC Sound of 2010 Ellie Goulding Sound of 2010 Won BRIT Awards Critics' Choice Won Q Awards Best Female Artist Nominated Best Breakthrough Artist Nominated MTV Europe Music Awards Best UK & Ireland Act Nominated 2010 MP3 Music Awards The BNC Award Nominated BT Digital Music Awards Best Female Artist Nominated UK Festival Awards Best Breakthrough Artist Nominated Virgin Media Music Awards Best Newcomer Nominated Lights Best Album Nominated 2011 BRIT Awards Ellie Goulding Best British Female Nominated Best British Breakthrough Act Nominated 2011 Glamour Magazine Awards Pandora Newcomer of the Year 2011 Won References[link] ↑ "Ellie Goulding". BBC Music. BBC Online. 2009. http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/artists/33ca19f4-18c8-4411-98df-ac23890ce9f5#p00cx3z0. Retrieved 19 February 2011.  ↑ http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/news/a378404/ellie-goulding-tops-one-million-single-sales-in-us.html ↑ Rosen, Jody (8 March 2011). "Lights". Rolling Stone. Wenner Media. http://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/lights-20110308. Retrieved 8 March 2011.  ↑ Lester, Paul (16 February 2009). "New band of the day – No 486: Ellie Goulding". The Guardian. guardian.co.uk. http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2009/feb/16/new-band-ellie-goulding. Retrieved 19 February 2011.  ↑ "About « Ellie Goulding". elliegoulding.com. http://elliegoulding.com/about. Retrieved 20 January 2012.  ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Harrod, Horatia (21 February 2011). "'He was Obsessed with Murder': Ellie Goulding interview". The Daily Telegraph. Telegraph Media Group. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/8338164/He-was-Obsessed-with-Murder-Ellie-Goulding-interview.html. Retrieved 23 February 2011.  ↑ "Ellie Goulding – EPK". YouTube. 19 January 2011. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=psrbUiOErrc. Retrieved 24 February 2011.  ↑ Smart, Gordon (12 August 2010). "Ellie: My stepdad was horrible. He had no brains. If I saw him again I'd punch him in the face". The Sun. News Group Newspapers. http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/showbiz/bizarre/3091719/Ellie-Goulding-on-her-turbulent-childhood.html. Retrieved 23 February 2011.  ↑ 9.0 9.1 Ferguson, Paul (4 September 2009). "Herefordshire singer, Ellie Goulding, signs recording deal with Polydor". Hereford Times. Newsquest. http://www.herefordtimes.com/news/4581912.Herefordshire_singer__Ellie_Goulding__signs_recording_deal_with_Polydor/. Retrieved 8 January 2010.  ↑ "Ellie Goulding's spiritual home". BBC Mid Wales. 17 November 2009. http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/midwales/hi/people_and_places/music/newsid_8362000/8362162.stm. Retrieved 8 January 2010.  ↑ "University drop-out Ellie Goulding named as top breakthrough music act for 2010". Daily Record. 8 January 2010. http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/showbiz/music-news/2010/01/08/university-drop-out-ellie-goulding-named-as-top-breakthrough-music-act-for-2010-86908-21952076/. Retrieved 8 January 2010.  ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 Sabbagh, Dan (20 February 2011). "Music is thriving, but the business is dying. Who can make it pay again?". The Observer. http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2011/feb/20/pop-music-business-digital-revolution. Retrieved 23 February 2011.  ↑ "Are you taking workout tips from Madonna? Ellie Goulding shows off muscular biceps and toned pins in Lycra". Daily Mail. Mail Online. 20 May 2011. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1389003/Ellie-Goulding-shows-muscular-biceps-toned-pins-Lycra.html. Retrieved 26 May 2011.  ↑ Higbee, Jonathan (4 March 2011). "From Sea to Shining Sea: Instinct Interviews Ellie Goulding". Instinct. http://instinctmagazine.com/blogs/web-exclusives/from-sea-to-shining-sea-instinct-interviews-ellie-goulding. Retrieved 26 May 2011.  ↑ Kelly, Kristy (25 May 2011). "Ellie Goulding: 'I'm ripped for a girl'". Digital Spy. http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/showbiz/news/a321435/ellie-goulding-im-ripped-for-a-girl.html. Retrieved 26 May 2011.  ↑ "Under the Sheets – EP by Ellie Goulding". iTunes Store UK. Apple Inc. http://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/under-the-sheets-ep/id338264167. Retrieved 2 January 2010.  ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 "Ellie Goulding". Official Charts Company. Chart Stats. http://www.chartstats.com/artistinfo.php?id=12453. Retrieved 20 August 2010.  ↑ Leanne (28 September 2009). "Little Boots To Release New Single 'Earthquake'". Glasswerk National. http://www.glasswerk.co.uk/news/national/6730/Little+Boots+To+Release+New+Single+Earthquake. Retrieved 1 October 2009.  ↑ "Later... with Jools Holland, Series 35, Episode 7". BBC Two. BBC Online. 30 October 2009. http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00npj43. Retrieved 18 December 2009.  ↑ "Wish I Stayed – Single of the Week by Ellie Goulding". iTunes Store UK. Apple Inc. http://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/wish-i-stayed-single-week/id347421814. Retrieved 26 December 2009.  ↑ Youngs, Ian (8 January 2010). "Ellie Goulding tops BBC Sound of 2010 music list". BBC News. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/8442389.stm. Retrieved 8 January 2008.  ↑ Press Association (9 December 2009). "Newcomer Ellie Goulding scoops Critics' Choice". The Independent. http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/newcomer-ellie-goulding-scoops-critics-choice-award-1836982.html. Retrieved 9 December 2009.  ↑ "Ellie Goulding debut tops album chart". BBC News. 7 March 2010. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/8554453.stm. Retrieved 8 March 2010.  ↑ "Ellie Goulding reveals debut album details – exclusive". NME. IPC Media. 6 January 2010. http://www.nme.com/news/ellie-goulding/49094. Retrieved 6 January 2010.  ↑ "Top 75 Artist Album, Week Ending 4 March 2010". Irish Recorded Music Association. Chart-Track. http://www.chart-track.co.uk/index.jsp?c=p%2Fmusicvideo%2Fmusic%2Farchive%2Findex_test.jsp&ct=240002&arch=t&lyr=2010&year=2010&week=9. Retrieved 5 March 2010.  ↑ 26.0 26.1 Corner, Lewis (23 April 2012). "Ellie Goulding hoping to release second album in October". Digital Spy. http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/news/a378025/ellie-goulding-hoping-to-release-second-album-in-october.html. Retrieved 23 April 2012.  ↑ Goulding, Ellie (8 September 2010). "Excited to announce that m ...". Twitter. http://twitter.com/elliegoulding/status/23930243782. Retrieved 21 January 2011.  ↑ Beasley, Mark. "Our Christmas 2010 TV advert". John Lewis. John Lewis Partnership. http://www.johnlewis.com/Magazine/Feature.aspx?Id=666. Retrieved 20 November 2010.  ↑ "Ellie Goulding – Your Song". Swedish Recording Industry Association. Hung Medien. http://swedishcharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Ellie+Goulding&titel=Your+Song&cat=s. Retrieved 4 February 2011.  ↑ Youngs, Ian (7 January 2010). "BBC Sound of 2010: Ellie Goulding". BBC News. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/8445641.stm. Retrieved 6 March 2011.  ↑ "BBC – Glastonbury Festival – Ellie Goulding". BBC. http://www.bbc.co.uk/glastonbury/2010/artists/elliegoulding/. Retrieved 23 February 2011.  ↑ "iTunes Festival: London 2010 – EP by Ellie Goulding". iTunes Store UK. Apple Inc. http://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/itunes-festival-london-2010/id382616884. Retrieved 22 January 2011.  ↑ "Bright Lights by Ellie Goulding". iTunes Store UK. Apple Inc. http://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/bright-lights/id404772330. Retrieved 22 January 2011.  ↑ "BBC – T in the Park Festival – Ellie Goulding". BBC Music. http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/tinthepark/2010/artists/ellie_goulding/. Retrieved 23 February 2011.  ↑ "Ellie Goulding at V Festival". 4Music. http://www.4music.com/artist/ellie-goulding/interview-at-v-festival-2010.html. Retrieved 23 February 2011.  ↑ Bestival – News Archived 31 January 2011 at WebCite ↑ "More Ellie Goulding festival dates". Facebook. 27 May 2010. http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=398792669517. Retrieved 23 February 2011.  ↑ "Goulding records a track for the inbetweeners". E4.com. 5 October 2010. http://www.e4.com/inbetweeners/series3/music-ep1.html. Retrieved 13 July 2011.  ↑ "Ellie Announces US Tour". elliegoulding.com. 3 February 2011. http://elliegoulding.com/news/ellie-announces-us-tour/. Retrieved 23 February 2011.  ↑ "First Cherrytree Blog!". Cherrytree Records. 12 January 2011. http://www.cherrytreerecords.com/profiles/blogs/first-cherrytree-blog. Retrieved 12 January 2011.  ↑ "Ellie Featured In Rolling Stone Hot List". Facebook. 8 February 2011. http://www.facebook.com/notes/ellie-goulding/ellie-featured-in-rolling-stone-hot-list/10150095243549518. Retrieved 13 July 2011.  ↑ "Brit Awards 2011: Winners". BBC News. 15 February 2011. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-12187205. Retrieved 7 February 2012.  ↑ Seidman, Robert (25 April 2011). ""Saturday Night Live (SNL)" Closes Out Season with Tina Fey/Ellie Goulding, Ed Helms/Paul Simon and Justin Timberlake/Lady Gaga". TV by the Numbers. Zap2it. http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2011/04/25/saturday-night-live-snl-closes-out-season-with-tina-feyellie-goulding-ed-helmspaul-simon-and-justin-timberlakelady-gaga/90480. Retrieved 25 April 2011.  ↑ Cline, Georgette. "Ellie Goulding Shines 'Lights' on 'Saturday Night Live'". Spinner. http://www.spinner.com/2011/05/08/ellie-goulding-shines-lights-on-saturday-night-live/. Retrieved 9 January 2012.  ↑ "Ellie Goulding Sang At Royal Wedding". MTV UK. MTV Networks Europe. 30 April 2011. http://www.mtv.co.uk/news/ellie-goulding/268429-ellie-goulding-royal-wedding-prince-william-kate-middleton. Retrieved 9 September 2011.  ↑ "Ellie Goulding Photos – BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend 2011 – Day 1". Zimbio. http://www.zimbio.com/photos/Ellie+Goulding/BBC+Radio+1+Weekend+2011+Day+1/1EdPYT80KXe. Retrieved 15 May 2011.  ↑ "Biffy Clyro, Wombats, Ellie Goulding to headline Wakestock festival". NME. IPC Media. 31 January 2011. http://www.nme.com/news/biffy-clyro/54767. Retrieved 23 February 2011.  ↑ "Ellie To Play V Festival". elliegoulding.com. 1 March 2011. http://elliegoulding.com/#/news/ellie-to-play-v-festival/. Retrieved 6 March 2011.  ↑ "‪Ellie Goulding interview with T4‬‏". YouTube. 14 January 2011. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HTjaLYlBxOg. Retrieved 13 July 2011.  ↑ Kaufman, Gil (7 August 2011). "Lollapalooza Day Two: Skylar Grey, Patrick Stump, Ellie Goulding Mix It Up". MTV Newsroom. MTV Networks. http://newsroom.mtv.com/2011/08/07/lollapalooza-skylar-grey-patrick-stump/. Retrieved 9 January 2012.  ↑ "Edgy Ellie: Starry Eyed singer Goulding trades her long blonde locks for a trendy half-shaved 'do". Daily Mail. Mail Online. 12 December 2011. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2072970/Ellie-Goulding-ditches-trademark-long-blonde-locks-shaved-pink-hairdo.html. Retrieved 9 January 2012.  ↑ Roberts, Steven (29 November 2011). "Ellie Goulding Brings Lights To National Christmas Tree". MTV News. MTV Networks. http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1675078/ellie-goulding-national-christmas-tree-lighting.jhtml. Retrieved 9 January 2012.  ↑ "Ellie Goulding Performs Lights on Letterman". Cherrytree Records. 19 February 2012. http://www.cherrytreerecords.com/profiles/blogs/ellie-goulding-performs-lights-on-letterman. Retrieved 24 February 2012.  ↑ Dawson, Kim (11 February 2011). "Ellie Goulding faces hell of a title fight". Daily Star. Northern & Shell Media Publications. http://www.dailystar.co.uk/playlist/view/176324/Ellie-Goulding-faces-hell-of-a-title-fight/. Retrieved 7 February 2012.  ↑ Piper, Dean (7 March 2011). "EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Ellie Goulding". Dean Piper's World. http://deanpiper.com/2011/03/07/exclusive-interview-ellie-goulding/. Retrieved 7 February 2012.  ↑ http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/news/a378404/ellie-goulding-tops-one-million-single-sales-in-us.html ↑ Smyth, David (15 January 2010). "Diana Vickers: proper bow". Popjustice. http://www.popjustice.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=4355&Itemid=9. Retrieved 4 February 2010.  ↑ "Lena Meyer-Landrut kriegt von Ellie Goulding Song geschenkt" (in German). Klatsch-Tratsch. 13 May 2010. http://www.klatsch-tratsch.de/2010/05/13/lena-meyer-landrut-kriegt-von-ellie-goulding-song-geschenkt/51893. Retrieved 21 February 2011.  ↑ Copsey, Robert (11 May 2011). "Frankmusik eyes Ellie Goulding collaboration". Digital Spy. http://www.digitalspy.com/music/news/a318942/frankmusik-eyes-ellie-goulding-collaboration.html. Retrieved 13 July 2011.  ↑ Bain, Becky (19 September 2011). "Katy Perry Replaces Jessie J. With Ellie Goulding On California Dreams Tour". Idolator. Buzz Media. http://idolator.com/6017282/katy-perry-replaces-jessie-j-with-ellie-goulding-california-dreams-tour. Retrieved 7 February 2012.  ↑ Perry, Katy. "Ellie Goulding to Join the California Dreams Tour in November". Ellie Goulding to Join the California Dreams Tour in November. Capitol Records. http://www.katyperry.com/ellie-goulding-to-join-the-california-dreams-tour-in-november/. Retrieved 2012-02-23.  ↑ Mika (14 December 2011). "Blog from MIKA". Facebook. http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=10150435075513580. Retrieved 14 December 2011.  External links[link] Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Ellie Goulding Official website Preceded by Little Boots Sound of... 2010 Succeeded by Jessie J v t e Ellie Goulding Discography Studio albums Lights Extended plays An Introduction to Ellie Goulding iTunes Festival: London 2010 Run Into the Light Singles "Under the Sheets" "Starry Eyed" "Guns and Horses" "The Writer" "Your Song" "Lights" Featured singles "Wonderman" Related articles Polydor Records Cherrytree Records Neon Gold Records Tinie Tempah Skrillex Persondata Name Goulding, Ellie Alternative names Goulding, Elena Jane Short description English singer-songwriter Date of birth 30 December 1986 Place of birth Hereford, Herefordshire, England Date of death Place of death .

The Weeknd
Background information
Birth name	Abel Tesfaye
Born	(1990-02-16) February 16, 1990 (age 22) Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Genres	Contemporary R&B, post-dubstep, downtempo
Years active	2010–present
Associated acts	Drake, Doc McKinney, Illangelo,
Website	www.the-weeknd.com

Abel Tesfaye (born February 16, 1990), better known by his stage name The Weeknd, is an R&B^[1] Canadian recording artist and record producer from Toronto. He began recording songs under The Weeknd and uploading them to YouTube in late 2010,^[2] though the identity of the individual behind the project was initially unknown.^[3][4] In March 2011, The Weeknd released a nine-song free album, House of Balloons which was critically acclaimed.^[5] The title track is based on a sample of Siouxsie and the Banshees' hit single "Happy House.^[6] The first album is a part of a trilogy which includes Thursday released in August of the same year and Echoes of Silence issued in December.^[7] In June, House of Balloons was named as one of ten shortlisted nominees of 2011 Polaris Music Prize but eventually lost to Arcade Fire's The Suburbs.^[8] On December 21, 2011 at 11:07 p.m. EST Tesfaye released his highly anticipated third mixtape Echoes of Silence. The Weeknd's site crashed shortly after due to the large number of downloads. The Weeknd quickly provided a Hulkshare link to keep the album available while the official site was down.

Since hitting the scene, The Weeknd has received praise from a number of musical publications, including those of Pitchfork,^[1] MTV,^[9] BET, Rolling Stone, XXL and The Source, who have all dubbed him the "Songbird of his Generation", as well as the "best musical talent since Michael Jackson" (John Norris, MTV).

[edit] House of Balloons

In late 2010, Abel Tesfaye uploaded three songs: "What You Need," "Loft Music," and "The Morning" to YouTube.^[10] A nine-track free album titled House of Balloons was digitally released on 21 March 2011 through the artist's official website.^[11] The title track is based on the sample of Siouxsie and the Banshees' 1980 hit single "Happy House" with Tesfaye covering the chorus.^[5] Tesfaye’s eclectic music also blends other samples ranging from Beach House to Aaliyah.^[12] Hip-hop artist Drake has been partly credited for generating public awareness for The Weeknd, after he quoted a line from the track "Wicked Games" via Twitter and linked to the singer's music on his website.^[11][13]

House of Balloons was met with universal critical acclaim. Pitchfork's Joe Colly wrote that "all the thematic and sonic pieces fit together - these weird, morning-after tales of lust, hurt, and over-indulgence ... are matched by this incredibly lush, downcast music. It's hard to think of a record since probably The xx's debut ... that so fully embodies such a specific nocturnal quality."^[1] Frontier Psychiatrist's L.V. Lopez claimed the album was "brilliant, disturbing, and not safe for work," calling the song "Loft Music" a song that is "so unsafe it should come with a child-proof cap, so dirty that you’ll feel guilty the next time you see your wife."^[14] Tom Ewing of The Guardian said that although the singing and songwriting on House of Balloons "aren't especially strong by R&B standards," the Weeknd is receiving "so much attention" as a result of its "command of mood."^[15] Sean Fennessey of The Village Voice called the album "impressive" and added, "It's patient, often gorgeous, and consistently louche ... with the sort of blown-out underbelly and echo-laden crooning that has already made Drake's less-than-a-year-old Thank Me Later such an influential guidepost."^[16] Maegan McGregor of Exclaim! also praised the album: "Packed full of sex, drugs and some downright killer production, this easily stands as one of the year's best debuts so far, hipster, Top 40 or otherwise."^[17] Sputnik Music's Tyler Fisher said that "despite being a free album, House of Balloons feels like a true album, a true labor of love."^[18]

In July, The Weeknd then went on tour and gave his first performance at the Mod Club on College Street in Toronto. The hour-and-a-half long performance created a lot of buzz about the young R&B singer.^[19] Tesfaye’s next performance took place at Toronto’s Molson Canadian Amphitheatre. He collaborated with rapper Drake and appeared as one of the special guests to Drake’s 2nd Annual OVO Fest on July 31, 2011 ^[20] That same month, the song "High for This" was featured in the promo for the final season of the HBO show Entourage.^[21]

During the summer, the press noted that Tesfaye refused to give interviews and choose to only communicate via Twitter.^[22]

When House of Balloons was named #1 album of 2011 by Complex magazine, it beat both Drake's Take Care and Watch the Throne by Jay-Z and Kanye West for the number 1 spot.^[12]

[edit] Thursday

Thursday (mixtape) is the second mixtape released by The Weeknd . The mixtape was released shortly after House of Balloons on August 18, 2011. Thursday was released on XO's label along with his other two mixtapes. Although the mixtape was released for free on his website as a digital download, the feedback it received was enormously positive.^[23] Thursday was produced in Toronto, Ontario with the help of Doc McKinney and Illangelo.^[24]

[edit] Echoes of Silence

The Weeknd's third mixtape, entitled Echoes of Silence, was released in December 21, 2011.^[23][25] Echoes of Silence has been described as his most lyrically powerful and emotional mixtape to date.^[24]

In April 2012, The Weeknd debuted his US tour by performing at the Coachella Festival.^[26] Tesfaye and his band visited the Union’s coasts, with a dozen of gigs in various major cities^[26] which culminated in New York where the two sold out shows were positively reviewed by Rolling Stone.^[27] Then, they will be also performing in European major festivals, including the Primavera Sound Festivals in Spain and Portugal,^[28] Wireless Festival in London,^[29] plus concerts in Paris and Brussels.

Discography[link]

Mixtapes[link]

Guest Appearances and Production[link]

Awards[link]

References[link]

External links[link]

• Official website
• Official blog

José González
José González performing at the Danish Museum of Art, November 2008
Background information
Origin	Gothenburg, Sweden
Genres	Indie folk
Occupations	Singer-songwriter
Instruments	Classical Guitar, Vocals, Bass Guitar
Years active	2003–present
Labels	Imperial, Parasol, Mute, Peacefrog
Associated acts	Junip, Zero 7
Website	www.jose-gonzalez.com

José González (born 1978) is a Swedish-Argentine indie folk singer-songwriter and guitarist from Gothenburg, Sweden. González is also a member of Swedish band Junip, along with Elias Araya and Tobias Winterkorn.

Biography[link]

González' parents moved from Argentina to Sweden in 1976. He was born in 1978, two years after his psychology academic father, mother and older sister, then an infant, fled Argentina after a military junta seized power in March 1976 at the beginning of the "dirty war".^[1] González was born in a suburb of Gothenburg, Sweden. He commented, "It's a very small town. It has about a half-million people living there. It's a pretty good music city by the ocean. It rains a lot there, but it's beautiful in the summertime."^[2] González grew up listening to Latin folk and pop music, and has named Cuban singer-songwriter Silvio Rodríguez as a favourite artist.^[1] He said the first concert he went to was "The Wailers. I got their autographs and everything. I was about 12 or so. At the time my favourite music was Bob Marley and Michael Jackson."^[3]

The first band he played in was Back Against the Wall, a Gothenburg hardcore punk band influenced by Black Flag, The Misfits and the Dead Kennedys.^[4] He later played bass guitar in another hardcore band, Renascence, between 1993–1998.^[5] Between 1997 and 1998 José played guitar with rock band Only if You Call Me Jonathan.

In June 2003 González released his debut solo release, a two-track 7" single. The single was discovered by Joakim Gävert, co-founder of the then fledgling label Imperial Records who then signed González as their first official artist.^[6] In October he released his debut album, Veneer, in Europe. The album was subsequently released in the UK on 25 April 2005, and in the United States on 6 September 2005. The album was made while González was studying for a PhD in Biochemistry at the University of Gothenburg, which he has not completed due to a lack of time since his musical career has taken off.^[7]

González' trademark sound is solo classical guitar with soft vocal melody. His work, although mostly original, also includes acoustic covers of such hits as "Heartbeats" by his fellow Swedes The Knife, "Love Will Tear Us Apart" by Joy Division, "Born in the U.S.A." and "The Ghost of Tom Joad" by Bruce Springsteen, "Hand on Your Heart" by Kylie Minogue, "Smalltown Boy" by Bronski Beat, "Teardrop" by Massive Attack and "Last Snowstorm of the Year" by Low.

His second album, In Our Nature, was released internationally on 22 September 2007. The album's lyrical content was in part influenced by his reading of books like The God Delusion by evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins and Practical Ethics by ethicist Peter Singer.^[4][8] González is an atheist.^[9]

Television appearances[link]

José González performing at O2 Shepherds Bush Empire in London, UK, April 2008

González has performed on several television programs, including Late Night with Conan O'Brien (29 March 2006 and 28 September 2007), Jimmy Kimmel Live (12 October 2007), the BBC's Later... with Jools Holland (9 June 2006), Last Call with Carson Daly (21 June 2006), Seven Network's Sunrise (15 August 2007) and Canada's MTV Live (5 December 2007).

The song "Crosses", from González's Crosses EP and the Veneer album, appeared on the finale of the second season of the popular American television comedy-drama The O.C., as well as on a trailer for a BBC Four programme.^[which?] Also taken from the Veneer album, "Stay in the Shade" was used in The O.C., midway through season three, in the episode The Pot Stirrer. His music has also been used in the Friday Night Lights TV series (12 December 2006).

His cover of The Knife's "Heartbeats" has been used many times. It featured in a Sony BRAVIA commercial featuring 250,000 coloured bouncing balls in San Francisco;^[10][11] in episode 409 and 505 of the CW's One Tree Hill and is included on the album The Road Mix: One Tree Hill Volume 3; it featured in season 7, episode 2 of Scrubs; in season 1, episode 21 of Brothers & Sisters; in season 4, episode 16 of Bones; in Stargate Universe; in 90210; in season 1, episode 21 of Whitney; and in an episode of the British TV show; Sun, Sea and A+E. Gone, a 2007 film directed by Ringan Ledwidge, features the track "Lovestain", from the Veneer album.

Music from González' latest album has also been used in other television shows. His version of Massive Attack's "Teardrop" was used in the fourth season finale of House entitled "Wilson's Heart" (the Massive Attack version is used as the show's theme music). It features in the fifth season episode of Numb3rs entitled "The Fifth Man". The song can be heard at the end of Friday Night Lights, Season 4 Episode "A Sort of Homecoming".

González performed his original song "Far Away" at the Spike Video Game Awards, where it won "Best Song" for its featured appearance in Rockstar Games' video game Red Dead Redemption, which also took home the award for "Game of the Year".

Collaborations[link]

González plays in the band Junip with Tobias Winterkorn and Elias Araya. To date Junip have released two EPs; Black Refuge and the free internet release Rope and Summit, along with a full-length album, Fields.

He collaborated with UK downtempo duo Zero 7 on their 2006 album, The Garden, providing guest vocals on the album's tracks, along with Zero 7 regular Sia Furler. González performs vocals on four songs: "Futures", "Left Behind", "Today" and "Crosses".

González collaborated with Finnish house DJ Jori Hulkkonen on the track "Blinded By The Numbers" from Hulkkonen's album Dualizm, released in 2005, and his song 'Crosses' was sampled by British hiphop artist Plan B for the song "Cast a Light" which appears on the Paint It Blacker EP. He has also collaborated with the Swedish hip hop DJ and producer Embee on the track "Send Someone Away", the album mixed by Soundism received a Grammis.^[12] González's song "Crosses" was remixed in 2006 by popular Dutch DJ Tiësto. González can also be heard in the song "I want you Back" by the Swedish indie-rock group Niccokick.

González collaborated with The Books on Red Hot Organization's Dark Was the Night compilation album, fundraising for HIV and AIDS awareness, which was released in February, 2009.^[13] In 2011, he contributed to the organization's follow-up album "Red Hot+Rio 2" with the song "Um Girassol Da Cor Do Seu Cabelo," recorded with Mia Doi Todd.

González participated in The Göteborg String Theory project in 2009–2011, an experimental music and art project that involved artists from Göteborg (Gothenburg), Sweden and classical composers from Berlin, Germany. A new sound piece of his song "Cycling Trivialities" was arranged by composer Nackt for a classcial orchestra. It was recorded and performed together with González, and finally released on the album The Göteborg String Theory (Kning Disk) in April 2010. González continued his collaboration with The Göteborg String Theory in 2011. Nackt wrote 11 new arrangement for González' songs, and in spring 2011 José González and The Göteborg String Theory went on a European tour in 19 cites.

Equipment and tunings[link]

Guitars: González plays an Alhambra classical guitar onstage and Alhambra, Esteve, and Córdoba classicals while recording.

Amps: for live performances, a Fishman Prefix Pro Blend in the Alhambra. When performing solo, he also plays into whatever condenser mic the venue supplies.

Strings: La Bella polished nylon, high tension.

Capo: Shubb C7B partial.

Picks: González plays only with his fingernails, reinforced with a nail strengthener.^[14]

González consistently uses 'altered' guitar tunings in his tunes, de-tuning the 6th (E) string down to D for all his songs, with the 3rd (G) string altered between F#, G and A from tune to tune (e.g. A in his cover of Hand on Your Heart and F# in Heartbeats.) He does the retuning himself during live performances rather than use 3 different guitars on stage.

Discography[link]

Albums[link]

• Veneer (October 2003) #7 UK, #86 AUS
• In Our Nature (September 2007)

EPs[link]

• Crosses EP (June 2003)
  • 7" single (limited to 500 copies): "Crosses" / "Storm"
  • CD EP: "Crosses" / "Hints" / "Deadweight on Velveteen" / "Storm"
• José González & Jens Lekman Split Tour Single (December 2003)
  • 7" single (limited to 330 copies): "If You Ever Need a Stranger to Sing at Your Wedding" (Lekman) / "Hand on Your Heart" (González)
• Remain EP (January 2004)
  • 7" single (limited to 300 copies): "Remain" / "Love Will Tear Us Apart"
  • CD EP: "Remain" / "Lovestain" / "Love Will Tear Us Apart" / "Suggestions"
• Stay in the Shade EP (June 2004 – Sweden; August 2005 – UK; January 2006 – US)
  • 7" single (limited to 220 copies): "Down the Hillside" / "Sensing Owls"
  • CD EP: "Stay in the Shade" / "Down the Hillside" / "Sensing Owls" / "Hand on Your Heart" / "Instr."
• Australian Tour EP (November 2005 – Australia & New Zealand)
  • CD collection of 8 Veneer era B-sides
• B-Sides Collected EP (November 2006 – South Africa)
  • CD collection of 7 Veneer era B-sides [see Australian Tour EP]
• 3 EP Collection (September 2007 – Taiwan)
  • 3 CD collection featuring Crosses EP, Remain EP and Stay in the Shade EP
• José González & Promise and the Monster Split Tour Single (December 2007)
  • 7" single (limited to 500 copies): "How Low" (González) / "Sheets" (Promise and the Monster)

Singles[link]

• "Heartbeats (The Knife cover)" (January 9, 2006) #9 UK, #66 AUS
  • b/w: "Suggestions"
• "Crosses" (April 10, 2006) #107 UK
  • b/w: "Storm"
• "Hand on Your Heart" (July 3, 2006) #29 UK, #88 AUS
  • b/w: "Down the Hillside" / "Sensing Owls"
• "Down the Line" (September 10, 2007 – UK) #140 UK, #12 UK Indie
  • b/w: "Smalltown Boy"
• "Killing for Love" (September 19, 2007 – Sweden)
  • b/w: "Smalltown Boy"
• "Teardrop (Massive Attack cover)" (November 12, 2007)
  • b/w "Four Forks Ache"
• "Down the Line" (February 20, 2008 – Sweden)
  • b/w "Neon Lights"
• "Killing for Love" (January 14, 2008 – digital download; April 7, 2008 – 7" vinyl – UK)
  • b/w "Neon Lights"
• "Cycling Trivialities" (March 2, 2009 – digital download – UK)

Other contributions[link]

• Acoustic 05 (2005, Echo) – "Broken Arrows"
• Chillout Sessions 9 (2006, Ministry of Sound) – "Heartbeats"
• The Acoustic Album (2006, Virgin) – "Heartbeats"
• Acoustic 07 (2007, V2 Records) – "Lovestain"
• Chillout Sessions 10 (2007, Ministry of Sound) – "Down the Line"
• Chillout Sessions XI (2008, Ministry of Sound) – "Teardrop"
• Dark Was the Night (2009) – Featured on The Books cover of * Nick Drake's "Cello Song"
• Uncovered (2009, Ministry of Sound) – "Love Will Tear Us Apart"
• Red Dead Redemption Original Soundtrack (2010, Rockstar Games) – "Far Away"
• Record (2010, Zero 7) – "Futures – Feat. Jose Gonzalez"
• The Göteborg String Theory Album – Cycling Trivialities

References[link]

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: José González

• Official website