Gabriella Cilmi

Gabriella Cilmi
Gabriella Cilmi on 18 October 2009.
Background information
Birth name	Gabriella Lucia Cilmi
Born	10 October 1991 (1991-10-10) (age 20)
Origin	Melbourne, Australia
Genres	Pop, funk rock, crossover jazz, vocal jazz
Occupations	Singer-songwriter, record producer
Years active	2005–present
Labels	Warner Music Island Records (UK) Xenomania Universal Republic (USA)
Website	http://www.gabriellacilmi.com

Gabriella Lucia Cilmi^[1] (pronounced /ˈtʃɪlmi/ chil-mee^[2] (born 10 October 1991) is an Australian singer-songwriter.

In 2008, Cilmi was awarded six ARIA awards including Single of the Year and Best Female Artist. Her debut album, Lessons to Be Learned was released in 2008, and was a worldwide success. Most recently, she has released a second studio album, Ten.

Early life

Cilmi was born in the Melbourne suburb of Dandenong. Of Italian heritage,^[3] she moved to London with her family when she was 15, where she currently lives with her parents Paula and Joe (whose origins are in Crotone, Calabria, Italy) and her brother Joseph.

At an early age, Cilmi developed an interest in a wide range of musical styles, including Nina Simone, Led Zeppelin, Janis Joplin, The Sweet, T. Rex and Cat Stevens.^[4] She has also cited Suzi Quatro as a particular influence.^[5] Despite her natural aptitude and vocal talent, Cilmi was told that she lacked the discipline necessary to pursue a singing career. Idolising Janis Joplin, during this time she sang with a band (Foucault) performing cover songs by Led Zeppelin, Jet, Silverchair and others.^[6] Cilmi recorded original songs with writer/producers Barbara and Adrian Hannan of The SongStore.^[7]

In 2004, Cilmi captured the attention of Warner Music executive Michael Parisi while giving an impromptu rendition of the Rolling Stones' song "Jumpin' Jack Flash" at the Lygon Street Festa, a community festival in Melbourne. At the age of 13, Cilmi travelled to the US and UK with Adrian Hannan and was offered four major US deals. She eventually signed a contract with Island Records UK.

Musical career

2005–2009: Lessons to Be Learned

Main article: Lessons to Be Learned

Gabriella Cilmi at the 2008 Godiva Festival

The tracks "Don't Tell Me" and "Sorry", co-written with Barbara and Adrian Hannan, appeared on the soundtrack of 2005 Australian film Hating Alison Ashley.^[7] Cilmi shares a manager (Cassandra Gracey), writer/producers (Xenomania) and UK record label (Island) with the Sugababes, and supported former Sugababe Mutya Buena at the Jazz Café in London in 2007. She made her UK TV debut in December 2007 when she sang her single "Sweet About Me" on Later... with Jools Holland. The same month, Cilmi's song "Sanctuary" featured in the film St Trinian's and on its soundtrack. Cilmi recorded the theme to UK TV series Echo Beach, which aired in early 2008 on ITV1; it is a cover of "Echo Beach" by Martha and the Muffins. In February 2008, she supported the Parisian band Nouvelle Vague on their UK tour.

Cilmi's first album, Lessons to Be Learned, was written and recorded with hit production team Xenomania and was released in March 2008 in the UK. Cilmi has been compared to Amy Winehouse.^[8] The first single, "Sweet About Me", debuted on the UK Singles Chart that month and climbed to number six three months later, in June. It reached number seventeen on the Irish Singles Chart, and peaked at number one on the Australian ARIA Singles Chart. The song was used in a worldwide advertising campaign for the deodorant Sure/Rexona.^[9] Cilmi's second UK single, "Save the Lies", was not as successful as "Sweet About Me", peaking at number thirty-three in the UK. In Australia, the second single from the album was "Don't Wanna Go to Bed Now", which reached number twenty-eight. The subsequent single, "Sanctuary", was issued in November 2008 and failed to chart.

From March to May 2008, Cilmi supported the Sugababes on their UK Change Tour. She opened for James Blunt on his June 2008 Australian tour, and participated in the October 2008 MTV Greece concert alongside R.E.M. and Kaiser Chiefs. Also in 2008, Cilmi won six ARIA Awards in Australia, taking Best Female Artist, Breakthrough Artist: Single ("Sweet About Me"), Breakthrough Artist: Album (Lessons to Be Learned), Best Pop Release (Lessons to Be Learned), Highest Selling Single ("Sweet About Me"), and Single of the Year ("Sweet About Me"). Cilmi covered a Connie Francis song, "Warm This Winter", for Co-operative's Christmas 2008 advertising campaign;^[10] released as a single, it reached number twenty-two on the UK Singles Chart. In January 2009, Cilmi was nominated in the International Female category at the BRIT Awards^[11][12] and sang in the Rod Laver Arena before the 2009 Australian Open Men's Final.

Cilmi performed at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in March 2009 for Sound Relief, a multi-venue rock music concert in support of relief for the Victorian bushfire crisis.^[13][14] The event was held simultaneously with a concert at the Sydney Cricket Ground.^[13] All the proceeds from the Melbourne Concert will go to the Red Cross Victorian Bushfire relief.^[13][14] Cilmi made her U.S. television debut in March 2009 and performed on the Pyramid (main) stage at the Glastonbury Festival in June 2009. The following August, she won Grand Prix at Sopot International Song Festival, an international song contest in Poland.

2010: Ten

Main article: Ten (Gabriella Cilmi album)

Cilmi debuted a new single, "On a Mission", in January 2010. It was released in February 2010 in Australia, reaching number sixteen, and the following month in the UK, where it peaked at number nine. This preceded Cilmi's second studio album, Ten, which was released in March 2010. According to Cilmi, the album features "lots of uptempo funk and disco-inspired numbers designed to make people groove" as well as "some more sexy tracks". One song incorporates a type of yodel into it.^[15]

While producing the album, Cilmi worked with Greg Kurstin, The Invisible Men and Dallas Austin, as well as Xenomania on the song "Hearts Don't Lie" which she likens to a Bee Gees song. The track "Love Me 'Cause You Want To" is the song she is most proud of due to the fact it was produced with her band.^[15] It features production from Xenomania, Dallas Austin and Greg Kurstin, and bears an electropop sound in contrast to her first album. Ten was not as successful as Lessons to Be Learned, reaching number seventeen in Australia and number twenty-eight in the UK. The second single, "Hearts Don't Lie", was released in June 2010 in the UK.^[16][17] The third single, "Defender", was released in August 2010 accompanied by a B-side track, "Magic Carpet Ride". Cilmi supported British artist Leona Lewis on the UK leg of her 2010 The Labyrinth Tour.

2011–present: Third album

By October 2010, Cilmi had begun work on her third studio album. She has been quoted as saying: "It's totally exciting because I am spending a bit more time with this record. I want to see what works. I really love Dolly Parton, roots music, Tricky and Enya, so anything could happen."^[18]

Vocal ability

Cilmi has a contralto^[19] vocal range and has been compared to that of Anastacia and Amy Winehouse^[20] for her vocal style. Cilmi also discovered her sound was partly caused by a back problem known as Hollow Back or Lordosis which affects the way in which she uses her diaphragm muscles when singing, producing a more throaty sound.^[20]

Of her voice Caroline Sullivan of The Guardian complimented her voice stating it was 'precociously blistering' and 'Her zest and powerful, black-like voice can't be faulted'.^[21]

Take40 commented further 'a voice that sounds like it fell from the heavens' further noting her abilities as a 'vocal powerhouse' and being a 'brilliant and unique vocal talent'.^[22]

Trivia

Gabriella Cilmi is mentioned by Ed Sheeran in the song You Need Me, I Don't Need You, Sheeran using Cilmi as an example of a young singer-songwriter.

Discography

Main article: Gabriella Cilmi discography

• Lessons to Be Learned (2008)
• Ten (2010)

Tours

Headline

• 2008 – Lessons to Be Learnt Tour

As supporting act

• 2008 – Sugababes – Change Tour (Selected Dates)
• 2010 – Leona Lewis – The Labyrinth (UK Dates Only)^[23]

Awards and nominations

Year	Type	Award	Result
2008	ARIA Music Awards	Breakthrough Single	Won
		Breakthrough Album	Won
		Highest Selling Single	Won
		Best Pop release	Won
		Best Female Artist	Won
		Single Of The Year	Won
	Q Awards	Breakthrough Artist	Nominated
	MTV Europe Music Awards	Breakthrough Artist	Shortlisted
2009	BRIT Awards	Best International Female Artist	Nominated
	Echo Awards	Best International Newcomer	Nominated
	Sopot International Song Festival 2009	Best Performer	Won
2010	ARIA Music Awards	Most Popular Australian Single ("On A Mission")[24]	Nominated

Television appearances

• Hating Alison Ashley (2005) .... Performer of "Don't Tell Me" (movie exclusive) and "Sorry" (from Lessons to be Learned)
• Later... with Jools Holland (1 episode, "#30.7", 2007) .... Herself
• Echo Beach (unknown episodes, 2008) Soundtrack
• This Morning (1 episode, "14 February 2008", 2008) .... Herself and Singer
• Saturday Disney (1 episode, "Mothers, Muck, Music and Manners!", 2008) .... Herself
• The National Lottery: Big 7 (2008) (TV) .... Herself
• Wetten, dass..? (1 episode, "4 October 2008") .... Herself
• Today Show (1 episode, "27 October 2008" .... Herself
• GMTV (1 episode, "29 October 2008" .... Herself and Singer
• Australian Idol (1 episode, "Top 7 Verdict", 2008) .... Herself
• Never Mind the Buzzcocks (1 episode, "#22.6", 2008) .... Herself
• Star Academy (1 episode, "31 October 2008", 2008) .... Herself
• The Xtra Factor (2 episodes, "#5.17" and "#5.18") .... Herself
• Loose Women (1 episode, "#14.48", 2008) .... Herself and performer
• City Homicide (1 episode) .... as Claudette Wyms
• TV total (1 episode, "11 November 2008", 2008) .... Herself
• Hollyoaks (1 episode, #1.2367, 2008) "Sweet About Me"
• Other People's Breast Milk (2008) (TV) Performer of "Sweet About Me"
• Lipstick Jungle (1 episode, "Chapter Nine: Help!", 2008) Performer of "Sweet About Me"
• 90210 (1 episode, That Which We Destroy", 2008) "Save the Lies" (uncredited)
• Divas II (2008) (TV) .... Herself and performer of "Sweet About Me" (uncredited)
• Top of the Pops (2008) (TV New Years Special) .... Performer of "Sweet About Me"
• The L Word (1 episode, "Long Night's Journey Into Day", 2009) "Awkward Game" (uncredited)
• The Paul O'Grady Show (2009) (TV) .... Performer with Enrique Iglesias
• Loose Women (2009) (TV) .... Performer] with Enrique Iglesias
• Late Night with Jimmy Fallon (24 March 2009) ... Herself
• Let's Dance for Sport Relief (27 February 2010) .... Performer
• GMTV (11 March 2010) .... Performer
• The Alan Titchmarsh Show (22 March 2010) .... Performer
• Popstars: Girls forever (9 September 2010) ... Performer/Vocal coach

Other appearances

In May 2010, Cilmi posed topless for FHM magazine.^[25]

References

1. ^ "Warner Chappell Music entry". http://www.warnerspecialproducts.com/wcm_2/song_search/searchresult_2.jsp?menu_status=songsearch&clearCriteria=Y&entityType=1&view=songs&tf9=United%20States&tf8=Entire%20Catalog&tf0=Songwriter&view=&wcmsid=nFz7CK6hk8QxQQYJ0090E3J&entityId=12181898818&entityName=Cilmi%2C+Gabriella. ^{[dead link]}
2. ^ "Gabriella Cilmi on make-up". YouTube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-38zlg_Z08.  Video clip in which Gabriella Cilmi pronounces her own name
3. ^ "A piece of my mind: Gabriella Cilmi, singer-songwriter" by Paul Dalgarno, The Herald, Glasgow (19 July 2008)
4. ^ Reid, Mark (4 June 2008). "Gabriella Cilmi – Sweet at 16". NZHerald.co.nz. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/1501119/story.cfm?c_id=1501119&objectid=10513282. 
5. ^ Mail on Sunday, 4 April 2010
6. ^ "Meet Aussie singer Gabriella Cilmi". BBC. 23 June 2008. http://news.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/hi/entertainment/newsid_7466000/7466294.stm. 
7. ^ ^{a b} SongStore biography^{[dead link]}
8. ^ "Is Gabriella Cilmi the new Amy Winehouse?", The Times Online, 10 February 2008^{[dead link]}
9. ^ "Gabriella Sweet About Me in Commercials". The Inspiration Room. 19 October 2008. http://theinspirationroom.com/daily/2008/gabriella-sweet-about-me-in-commercials. 
10. ^ http://christmas.co-operative.coop/gabriella.php Gabriella Cilmi – That's the spirit^{[dead link]}
11. ^ "Gabriella Sweet About Me in Commercials". The Inspiration Room. 19 October 2008. http://www.capitalradio.co.uk/music-showbiz/music/brits-2009/gabriella-cilmi/. 
12. ^ "Gabriella Cilmi interview at the BRITs nomination party". Capital FM. http://www.capitalradio.co.uk/music-showbiz/music/brits-2009/gabriella-cilmi. ^{[dead link]}
13. ^ ^{a b c} Brumby, John (24 February 2009). "Artists Unite For 'Sound Relief' Bushfire Benefit – Premier of Victoria, Australia". Premier of Victoria. http://archive.premier.vic.gov.au/newsroom/6113.html. Retrieved 25 February 2009. 
14. ^ ^{a b} Mitchell, Geraldine (24 February 2009). "Coldplay, Kings of Leon to headline bushfire relief concerts". Herald Sun (The Herald and Weekly Times). http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,25099180-661,00.html. Retrieved 25 February 2009. 
15. ^ ^{a b} Nick Levine (12 January 2010). "Interview – Exclusive: Gabriella Cilmi". Digital Spy. http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/interviews/a195830/gabriella-cilmi.html. Retrieved 23 January 2010. 
16. ^ "Gabriella Cilmi - Ten". australian-charts.com. http://australian-charts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Gabriella+Cilmi&titel=Ten&cat=a. 
17. ^ "Gabriella Cilmi - Chartstats - Ten". chartstats.com. http://www.chartstats.com/albuminfo.php?id=14693. 
18. ^ http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/showbiz/music-news/2010/10/14/scots-singers-have-more-integrity-claims-aussie-star-gabriella-cilmi-86908-22633424/
19. ^ Walters, Sarah (7 August 2008). "Review: Gabriella Cilmi – Save The Lies". citylife.co.uk. http://www.citylife.co.uk/music/release/reviews/1865_gabriella_cilmi. 
20. ^ ^{a b} Goodchild, Sophie (9 June 2010). "Gabriella Cilmi: Back in tune". The London Evening Standard. http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/health/article-23842913-gabriella-cilmi-back-in-tune.do. 
21. ^ Sullivan, Caroline (19 March 2010). "Gabriella Cilmi: Ten – CD review". The Guardian (London). http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2010/mar/18/gabriella-cilmi-ten-cd-review. 
22. ^ "Gabriella Cilmi Biography". Take40 Australia. mcm entertainment. http://www.take40.com/artists/3926/gabriella-cilmi/bio. 
23. ^ Copsey, Robert (15 April 2010). "Cilmi confirmed as Leona tour support". Digital Spy. http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/news/a214569/cilmi-confirmed-as-leona-tour-support.html. 
24. ^ "2010 ARIA Nominations Announced". Take40 Australia (mcm entertainment). 23 June 2008. http://www.take40.com/news/20335/2010-aria-nominations-announced---full-list-here!. Retrieved 29 September 2010. 
25. ^ Hood, Stewart; Mosel, Guy (May 2010). "Hold me/Thrill me Cilmi". FHM (145): pp. 62–70. 

Sources

• Gabriella Cilmi poised to make a big splash Jack Foley, Indie London, March 2008

External links

• Official website
• Official Australian website
• Gabriella Cilmi at the Internet Movie Database
• Gabriella Cilmi on Myspace
• Gabriella Cilmi interview by Pete Lewis, 'Blues & Soul' August 2008
• BBC profile
• Gabriella Cilmi ilikemusic Interview
• CD Times gig review
• FemaleFirst article
• GenerationQ article

Persondata
Name	Cilmi, Gabriella
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	10 October 1991
Place of birth
Date of death
Place of death