- Chiwawa (band)
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Chiwawa is a rock/pop electronic duo composed of Laurie Gordon, the daughter of Hungarian immigrants, and Krassy Halatchev, born and raised in Communist Bulgaria.
Contents
History
Gordon met Halatchev in 1991 when she answered a classified ad which read: "International Band Seeks Female Vocalist." The "International" band was four young Bulgarian immigrant in a band called "Ping-Pong". When Gordon joined, they became "Short Confession". [1]
Within three months of their meeting, Halatchev was about to be deported. He and Gordon had a green card marriage, and eventually fell in love. Gordon and Halatchev settled in Montreal, Canada.
In 1994 Gordon started her own band, "Chiwawa", with Luc St. Pierre. Halatchev filled in as a drummer, becoming a permanent member a couple years later. Eric Willis also joined the band. Chiwawa’s debut album, "The Sick World Of Yona", produced by Steve Whitfield, was released in 1998.
Gordon was diagnosed with breast cancer a week before the release of Chiwawa's debut album. Despite her health, she continued to perform and front Chiwawa, writing songs and made a full recovery.
Chiwawa has collaborated with a number of different artists. Chiwawa has written with musicians Camelle Hinds, Paul Weller, Russ Broom, Jann Arden, and Mikey Benn.
Film work
Chiwawa has scored music for a number of short films and documentaries. The duo worked with the late Oscar nominated animator Ryan Larkin on his final animation film Spare Change, which Gordon directed on Ryan's behalf after his death in 2007. The film is based on Larkin's experience as a panhandler begging for spare change on the streets of Montreal.[2] Larkin moved in with Chiwawa in the last years of his life and came back to his art. A documentary film of how Ryan Larkin and Chiwawa became friends will air on CTV Television in early 2011.
Currently Chiwawa is scoring the soundtrack for Co Hoedeman's animated film "55 Socks". The band will also be working on a feature film by Gerald Potterton. Future projects include 2 more feature films, beginning production in 2011 and 2012.
Discography
Full length albums
- The Sick World of Yona (1998)
- Chimeres (2002)
- Bright (2005)
- Bus Stop Chinese Buffet (2009)
- Watermark (2010)
EPs and remixes
- God's Children (2008)
- Love's Got Heart (2004)
- Always About You (2007)
References
- ^ "Chiwawa Bio". Chiwawa. http://www.chiwawafanclub.com/bio.html. Retrieved 29 June 2011.
- ^ "Ryan's hope Spare Change: animator Ryan Larkin’s last testament". CBC News. 10 October 2008. http://www.cbc.ca/news/arts/film/story/2008/10/10/f-ryan-larkin-spare-change.html. Retrieved 29 June 2011.
External links
Categories:- Musical groups from Montreal
- Canadian rock music groups
- Canadian electronic music groups
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