Katy Steele

Infobox musical artist
Name = Katy Steele

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Img_capt =
Img_size = 150
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Background = solo_singer
Birth_name = Katy Steele
Alias = Katy Steele
Born = birth date and age|1983|09|09|df=yes
flagicon|AUS Perth, Western Australia
Died =
Origin =
Instrument = Customized "Hello Kitty" Fender Stratocaster electric guitar
Voice_type =
Genre = Rock Music
Occupation = musician, guitarist, singer, songwriter
Years_active = 2001–present
Label =
Associated_acts = The Plastik Scene
Little Birdy
URL =
Notable_instruments =

Katy Steele is the current vocalist, guitarist and songwriter of four piece rock band Little Birdy.

Biography

Katy Steele was born in Perth, Western Australia in 1983, and has a fraternal twin brother, Jake. She and her brother are the youngest in the family. Her father, Rick Steele, is an accomplished blues musician who still performs today, together with Katy's oldest brother Jesse on drums, in his band, Rick Steele & The Hot Biscuit Band. [cite web |url=http://www.groovemagazine.com.au/Features/12/ricksteele.html | title=Rick Steele |publisher=Groove Magazine |last=Czerniak |first=Maria |accessdate=2008-03-18] Her other older brother Luke, is the vocalist, guitarist and songwriter of alternative rock band The Sleepy Jackson. Jake performs on keyboards with his own band, Injured Ninja. [cite web |url=http://www.thewest.com.au/default.aspx?MenuID=41&ContentID=58609 |title=Turning Steele wheels|publisher=West Australian |last=Purvis |first=Ray |date=2008-02-23 |accessdate=2008-03-18]

Steele grew up in the southern suburb of Jandakot in Perth and went to Mount Lawley Senior High School. She first started playing in Perth electro-pop band, The Plastik Scene, in 2001. [cite web |url=http://www.fasterlouder.com.au/bands/The_Plastik_Scene# |title=The Plastik Scene |Publisher=FasterLouder.com |accessdate=2008-03-18]

Little Birdy (2002-present)

In 2002 Steele left the band and joined Simon Leach forming Little Birdy. Leach is a friend of Katy's brother, Luke Steele, and it was at Luke's 21st birthday party that he first heard Katy's distinctive vocals.

"Katy was always there," Leach says of his friendship with the other Steele. "She was around 15 when I saw her sing. Three years later, Katy and I were playing together." [cite web |url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/Music/Little-Birdy-learns-to-fly/2005/01/13/1105423569412.html |title=Little Birdy learns to fly |publisher=The Age |last=Murfett |first=Andrew |date=2004-01-14 |accessdate=2008-03-18]

Steele won the inaugural Jessica Michalik Contemporary Music Award, presented by The Big Day Out on March 8, 2004. In 2004, she was also award the Contemporary Music Prize by the Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA). [cite web |url=http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/03/09/1078594331213.html?from=storyrhs |title=These are no hair today, gone tomorrow winners |publisher=Sydney Morning Herald |last_name=Zuel |first_name=Bernard |date=2004-03-09 |accessdate=2008-03-18] . At the 2005 West Australian Music Industry Awards Steele won the WAMi for 'Best Female Vocalist'. She also recorded a version of the classic, "Six Months In a Leaky Boat", on the compilation album, "She Will Have Her Way", a collection of Neil and Tim Finn songs performed by female Australian and New Zealand musicians. The song reached number 96 on Triple J's Hottest 100 for 2005

In 2007, Katy won best female performer in the Australian live music awards. [cite web |url=http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/story/0,26278,21739370-10388,00.html |title=Wolfmother knows Jack |publisher=News.com.au |last=Gadd |first=Michael |date=2007-05-16 |accessdate=2008-03-18] Katy has attracted comparisons to Kate Bush and PJ Harvey . [cite web |url=http://www.australianmusiccollective.com/littlebirdy.htm |title=Australian bands at SXSW 2005 |publisher=Australian Music Collective |accessdate=2008-03-18] .

Katy Steele was once dating Justin Burford of End of Fashion. The two were engaged, [cite web |url=http://www.groovemagazine.com.au/Features/8/endoffashion.html |title=End of Fashion |publisher=Groove Magazine |last=Rogers |first=Carlisle |accessdate=2008-03-18] until some time recently when it was broken off. [cite web |url=http://www.news.com.au/perthnow/story/0,21598,21838993-5013063,00.html |title=Watch the Birdy |publisher=The Sunday Times |date=2007-06-02 |last=Hanna |first=Jay |accessdate=2008-03-19]

Discography

* "Little Birdy" - Eleven/EMI Records (October 6, 2003) #27 Australia
* "This Is a Love Song" - Eleven/EMI Records (March 1, 2004) #22 Australia
* "BigBigLove" - Virgin/EMI (October 4, 2004) #5 Australia
* "Hollywood" - Eleven/EMIRecords (October 13, 2006) #9 Australia

References