Amy Macdonald
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Amy MacDonald
- Genres: Rock
Biography
Amy MacDonald is a Scottish singer/songwriter who, at the age of 20, began topping the European charts with her Celtic-tinged folk music. Born on August 25, 1987, she studied social sciences while attending university and, like many teenagers, spent her days dreaming of pilgrimages to music festivals like T in the Park. Inspired by the songwriting skills of Francis Healy and the sweeping pop/rock of Travis, the 12-year-old MacDonald picked up a guitar that had been left lying around the house from her father's pop group days. She taught herself the instrument by following "how to play guitar" advice on the Internet rather than taking structured lessons, and the burgeoning songwriter played with a community music group before graduating to solo shows in the local area. The gigs featured MacDonald, her acoustic guitar, and a set of cover songs including "Everybody Hurts" and a slow version of "Mad World." Before long, her slew of performances in local coffeehouses had turned into a mini-tour of Scotland, where she performed original material alongside headliners like Travis and fellow Scot Paolo Nutini.Festival appearances followed, including stints at Glastonbury, T in the Park, and V. MacDonald soon secured a recording deal with Vertigo Records (part of the Universal Music Group umbrella, and home to the Killers and Razorlight) before issuing two singles: "Poison Prince," a song about the tortured life of Pete Doherty offered as a limited online-only release, and "Mr. Rock & Roll," which finally launched MacDonald into the Top 20. Her debut album, This Is the Life, was released at the end of July 2007, where it climbed to number two during its first week on the charts. Over the course of the next year, This Is the Life continued to gain momentum and eventually went multi-platinum in several European countries. She began work on her sophomore effort in 2009, delivering the finished A Curious Thing -- another lucrative chart-topper -- in March 2010. ~ Sharon Mawer, Rovi
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Amy Macdonald
For other people of the same name, see Amy MacDonald (disambiguation).
| Amy Macdonald | |
|---|---|
 Amy Macdonald at Rix FM Festival in Stockholm |
|
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Amy Macdonald |
| Born | 25 August 1987 |
| Origin | Bishopbriggs, East Dunbartonshire, Scotland |
| Genres | Rock, Soft rock, Folk rock, Indie folk |
| Occupations | Singer, songwriter, musician |
| Instruments | Vocals, guitar, keyboard |
| Years active | 2007–present |
| Labels | Vertigo, Mercury, Melodramatic Records |
| Website | www.amymacdonald.co.uk |
Amy Macdonald (born 25 August 1987 in Bishopbriggs, East Dunbartonshire) is a Scottish recording artist. Macdonald rose to fame in 2007 with her debut album, This Is the Life (2007) and its fourth single, "This Is the Life". The single charted at number one in six different countries worldwide, and charted inside the top ten in another eleven countries worldwide.
The success of the single achieved Macdonald success in the American music market, where she was a guest on shows such as The Ellen DeGeneres Show and The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson in 2008, where she performed two singles from the album, leading her album, This Is the Life to reach ninety-two on the Billboard 200. In the European Union, This Is the Life reached number one in six European countries, including the United Kingdom, Denmark and the main European album charts. This is the Life has sold three million copies worldwide.
"Don't Tell Me That It's Over" was released in March 2010 as the lead off single from Macdonald's second studio album, A Curious Thing which was released on March 8, 2010.[1] Five singles have since been released from A Curious Thing. The album's lead single, "Don't Tell Me That It's Over" was released worldwide on March 1, 2010 and this was followed by the release of a second single "Spark" on May 10, 2010. Further singles were released, with the third being "This Pretty Face" which was successful in European countries such as Germany, where MacDonald holds a strong fanbase. A further two singles were released, "Love Love" and "Your Time Will Come" which were both released in late 2010. Worldwide, A Curious Thing, the album has sold 1,000,000 copies worldwide.
Macdonald's third album, Life in a Beautiful Light, is to be released on 11 June 2012.[2]
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Contents
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Early life
Macdonald attended Bishopbriggs High School.[3] She is a self-taught musician,[4] playing her father's guitar after being inspired by Travis at the T in the Park Festival in 2000, where she heard Travis' song "Turn" and wanted to play it herself.[5] She started playing in pubs and coffee houses around Glasgow at 15,[6] including the Brunswick Cellars on Sauchiehall Street.[7]
Career
Breakthrough
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Macdonald sent a demo CD in response to an advertisement placed in the NME[6] by a new production company set up by songwriters Pete Wilkinson and Sarah Erasmus.[8]
In an interview with HitQuarters, Wilkinson said he was "literally aghast" at her songwriting abilities when first he heard Macdonald play the songs "This is the Life" and "Mr Rock n Roll".
I said, “Amy, who wrote those songs?” And she said, “I did.” I said, “No, you didn't,” giggling, hoping she really did. She said, “I bloody well did!” I told her she was extraordinarily talented, and the moment she sang those songs I remembered her voice and the hooks, which out of 500 [demos submitted] was a very good sign.—Pete Wilkinson, [8]
Wilkinson then spent around eight or nine months recording demos with Amy at his home studio with a view to securing a record deal for his new client. In 2007, Macdonald signed a contract with Vertigo.
Macdonald received her first major press coverage when she questioned whether the 2007 winner of The X Factor, Leon Jackson, was suffering from tonsillitis, referring to it as "lazyitis". Macdonald had tonsillitis at the same time but still performed at Glasgow and at the BBC's Hogmanay Live show the same night.[9]
This Is the Life (2007–2009)
Main article: This Is the Life (Amy Macdonald album)
In 2007, Macdonald released her debut album, titled This Is the Life. The album sold 3 million copies, and reached #1 in the UK, the Netherlands, Switzerland and Denmark.[10][11] The first single from the album, "Poison Prince", was only a limited release. The second single, "Mr. Rock and Roll", became Macdonald's first top 40 song charting at #12 in the United Kingdom. However the third single, "L.A.", missed the top 40 at #48, but managed #5 in the Scottish singles chart.
The fourth and most successful single, "This Is the Life", charted at #28 in the UK, but was #1 in five other European countries. The single was awarded Platinum in Germany and Belgium and Gold in Spain and Switzerland. The fifth single, "Run", gave Macdonald her second lowest chart position in the UK at #75. However, "Run" charted at #36 in Germany. The sixth and final single was the re-release of "Poison Prince", but charted at #148 in the UK, Macdonald's lowest chart position.
The album's track "Youth of Today" was chosen as the first single featured on Bebo/iTunes' "Free Single of the Week" program.[12]
She appeared as a musical performing guest on British and foreign shows including The Album Chart Show, Loose Women, Friday Night Project, Taratata (France), and This Morning. She won the best newcomer award at the Silver Clef Awards.[13]
A Curious Thing (2010–2011)
Main article: A Curious Thing
Macdonald began writing songs for her second album in spring 2009, in a brief break from her touring commitments. For the first time she began poring through her old notebooks, looking at song ideas, unlike her debut which consists mainly of songs that she wrote straight away.[14] Many of the tracks were inspired by real-life personalities or events from her everyday life. Contrary to some reports, she did not write "Spark" for murdered toddler James Bulger after watching a TV programme on his murder.[15] "What Happiness Means To Me" is dedicated to her footballer fiancé Steve Lovell,[16] while "An Ordinary Life" is inspired by the "Z-list celebs" she saw flocking around Scots-born Hollywood actor Gerard Butler at a party he held in Glasgow late 2009 to mark the opening of his film Law Abiding Citizen.[14] There is also a track about Michael Jackson and one dedicated to her late grandparents.[16] The tracks were recorded at Weller's BlackBarn Studios in Surrey.[17]
Macdonald started working on her second album in the year of 2009.[18] She said "Some of the sounds are just amazing and we've managed to persuade one of my favourite artists to whack some stuff down on them, but you'll have to wait and see."[19] The second album, titled A Curious Thing, was released on 8 March 2010.[20]
It was preceded by the release of the first single, "Don't Tell Me That It's Over", a week earlier on 1 March 2010. The single was released to UK radio on 11 January. Amy performed the new single on the Simon Mayo Show on BBC Radio 2 on the same day.[21] "Don't Tell Me That It's Over" has been released to radio in countries like UK, Switzerland, Germany and France.[22] The album's second single "Spark" was released on May 10, 2010[23] on digital download format. Macdonald also confirmed that she would tour the United Kingdom and other parts of Europe in 2010.[24]
The album's third single "This Pretty Face" was released on July 19, 2010. Also, Macdonald confirmed she would embark on a tour, entitled The Love Love Tour. Amy MacDonald is one of a number of artists who appear with Ray Davies in his 2010 album See My Friends. She sings with him on "Dead End Street".
Life in a Beautiful Light (2011–present)
Main article: Life in a Beautiful Light
In May 2011, it was confirmed by the Bournemouth Echo that Amy had already started 'planning to start work on her third album at the end of this year'.[25] On 13 April 2012, Macdonald's official website confirmed the title of the album was Life in a Beautiful Light, and will be released on 11 June 2012.[2] One song has been confirmed so far, entitled "Slow it Down", which was first played on the morning of 13 April on Zoe Ball's Radio 2 show, and released on Macdonald's Official YouTube account on 13 April.[26]
Popularity in the United States
MacDonald has moderate success in the United States music market. She has appeared on several US talk shows such as The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson (2008), where she performed "Mr. Rock and Roll" and also The Ellen DeGeneres Show (2008) where she performed her hit single, "This Is the Life".[27]
Her debut album, This is the Life, reached #92 on the US Billboard 200.[28] The single, "This is the Life" reached #25 on the US Billboard Triple-A Hot 100 singles charts.[29]
Artistry
Musical style
Reviewers have described Amy as softly spoken but with a booming singing voice.[30] Her vocal range is contralto.[31]
Macdonald cites Travis as her biggest influence.[32] Other influences include The Killers[33] and the Libertines.[34]
Personal life
In 2008, Macdonald became engaged to football striker Steve Lovell.[11][35]
Awards and nominations
Macdonald won Best Newcomer at the 2008 Tartan Clef Awards[36] and Best Newcomer at the 2008 Silver Clef Awards.[37] In December 2008 she was voted "Scottish person of the year" by The Daily Record.[38]
Macdonald performed, along with U2, at the German 2009 Echo Awards, where she won an award in the category "Best International Newcomer".[39][40] She also won Best International Album and Best International Song at the 2009 Swiss Music Awards.[41]
In 2010 Macdonald won "best album" for A Curious Thing, at the annual Tartan Clef awards on 20 November in Glasgow.[42] Also, Macdonald won "best international album Rock/Pop" with A Curious Thing at the Swiss music awards in March 2011.[43] Furthermore, Macdonald won "best international Rock/Pop Female" at the Echo Awards, beating celebrities such as: Adele, P!nk, Rihanna and Katy Perry.[44]
| Year | Award | Category | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Swiss music awards | Best International Album Rock/Pop – 'A Curious Thing' | Won |
| 2011 | Echo Awards | Best International Rock/Pop Female | Won |
| 2010 | Tartan Clef Award | Best Album – 'A Curious Thing' | Won |
| 2009 | Swiss Music Awards | Best International Album – 'This Is The Life' | Won |
| Best International Song – 'This Is The Life' | Won | ||
| Echo Awards | Best Newcomer International | Won | |
| Best International Female | Nominated | ||
| Single of the Year for "This Is the Life" | Nominated | ||
| NRJ Music Awards | International Album of the Year for This Is the Life | Nominated | |
| International Revolution of the Year | Nominated | ||
| 2008 | Daily Record | Scottish Person of the Year | Won |
| 2007 | Silver Clef Award | Best Newcomer | Won |
Discography
Main article: Amy Macdonald discography
- This Is the Life (2007)
- A Curious Thing (2010)
- Life in a Beautiful Light (2012)
References
- ^ Sweeney, Chris. The Sun (London). http://www.thesun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/scotlandfeatures/2815685/Amy-Macdonald-is-back-with-her-second-album.html.
- ^ a b "Life in a Beautiful Light". 13 April 2012. http://www.amymacdonald.co.uk/gb/news/2012-04-13/amy_is_back/. Retrieved 14 April 2012.
- ^ "Video week – Former Bishopbriggs High School pupil Amy Macdonald performs for Bishopbriggs Academy pupils at The Garage nightclub in Glasgow". The Herald. Newsquest (Herald & Times) Limited. http://www.theherald.co.uk/videoweek/Amy. Retrieved 4 August 2008.[dead link]
- ^ "Amy Macdonald – Official Biography". Amy MacDonald — The Official Site. http://www.amymacdonald.co.uk/gb/biography/. Retrieved 16 February 2010.
- ^ Macdonald, Amy (16 August 2008). Studio Sessions – Amy MacDonald: A Self-Taught Scot. Interview with Scott Simon. National Public Radio. KGNU. Boulder, Colorado. http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=93641042. Retrieved 6 September 2008.
- ^ a b "Pick up an autographed Amy Macdonald album and guitar pick now!". MTV Asia. 6 February 2009. Archived from the original on 20 April 2009. http://web.archive.org/web/20090420064237/http://www.mtvasia.com/Funstuff/Contests/AmyMacdonaldAlbum/. Retrieved 20 June 2009.
- ^ Carroll, Peter (18 December 2008). "Double date for Amy McDonald". The Glaswegian. http://www.theglaswegian.co.uk/entertainment-lifestyle/entertainment/2008/12/18/double-date-for-amy-mcdonald-102692-20979074/. Retrieved 20 June 2009.
- ^ a b "Interview With Manager Pete Wilkinson", HitQuarters, 15 June 2009.
- ^ Tonsillitis? More like lazy-itis – star Macdonald attacks X Factor's Leon over cancelled concert, 2 January 2008
- ^ "Amy Macdonald — This Is The Life". acharts.us. http://acharts.us/album/27139.
- ^ a b Lyons, Beverley (20 January 2010). "Susan Boyle did not deserve a Brits nomination, insists Amy Macdonald". The Daily Record. http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/showbiz/music-news/2010/01/20/susan-boyle-did-not-deserve-a-brits-nomination-insists-amy-macdonald-86908-21981045/. Retrieved 16 February 2010.
- ^ "Bebo agrees deal with iTunes for music file sharing". brandrepublic.com/. 13 June 2007. http://www.brandrepublic.com/Digital/News/664073/Bebo-agrees-deal-iTunes-music-file-sharing/. Retrieved 26 November 2008.
- ^ "Top Silver Clef award for Oasis". BBC.co.uk. 4 July 2008. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7489251.stm. Retrieved 26 November 2008.
- ^ a b "Amy Macdonald — Biography". Amymacdonald.co.uk. http://www.amymacdonald.co.uk/gb/biography/. Retrieved 2010-03-22.
- ^ "Music Interview Amy MacDonald". Digital Spy. 2010-07-16. http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/interviews/a244513/amy-macdonald.html.
- ^ a b Sweeney, Chris (2010-01-20). "Amy Macdonald is back with her second album". London: The Sun. http://www.thesun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/scotlandfeatures/2815685/Amy-Macdonald-is-back-with-her-second-album.html. Retrieved 2010-03-04.
- ^ "Amy Macdonald: I'm not thinking about marriage yet because it would mean taking break from my career". The Daily Record. http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/showbiz/celebrity-interviews/2010/02/05/amy-macdonald-i-m-not-thinking-about-marriage-yet-because-it-would-mean-taking-break-from-my-career-86908-22020062/. Retrieved 2010-03-04.
- ^ Kilkelly, Daniel (25 March 2009). "MacDonald ready to work on new album". Digital Spy. http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/a150626/macdonald-ready-to-work-on-new-album.html. Retrieved 21 April 2009.
- ^ "Amy Macdonald set to release new album next year". The Daily Record. 21 September 2009. http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/showbiz/2009/09/21/amy-macdonald-set-to-release-new-album-next-year-86908-21689388/. Retrieved 16 February 2010.
- ^ Dingwall, John (5 February 2010). "Amy Macdonald: I'm not thinking about marriage yet because it would mean taking break from my career". The Daily Record. http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/showbiz/celebrity-interviews/2010/02/05/amy-macdonald-i-m-not-thinking-about-marriage-yet-because-it-would-mean-taking-break-from-my-career-86908-22020062/. Retrieved 16 February 2010.
- ^ "Amy Macdonald: Glasgow gig will showcase new songs and there's new single in pipeline too". The Daily Record. 9 December 2009. http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/showbiz/music-news/2009/12/09/amy-macdonald-glasgow-gig-will-showcase-new-songs-and-there-s-new-single-in-pipeline-too-86908-21883853/. Retrieved 16 February 2010.
- ^ "Amy McDonald readies up new single "Don’t Tell Me That It’s Over"". Loft965. 15 January 2010. http://loft965.com/2010/01/15/amy-mcdonald-readies-up-new-single-dont-tell-me-that-its-over/. Retrieved 16 February 2010.
- ^ Bargiela, Sarah (13 May 2010). "Amy Macdonald — Spark". Entertainment Focus. http://www.entertainment-focus.com/music/articles/amy-macdonald-spark-0. Retrieved 26 May 2011.
- ^ "Amy’s touring the UK later this year!". Amymacdonald.co.uk. 8 April 2010. http://www.amymacdonald.co.uk/gb/news/2010-04-08/amys_touring_the_uk_later_this_year/. Retrieved 26 May 2011.
- ^ Meldrum, Neil (14 May 2011). "Amy MacDonald cheering on Cherries at play-off". Bournemouth Echo. http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/9027245.Amy_MacDonald_cheering_on_Cherries_at_play_off//. Retrieved 26 May 2011.
- ^ "Slow it Down". 14 April 2012. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F3CYgQcw_Zc&feature=g-u-u&context=G25525afFUAAAAAAAAAA. Retrieved 14 April 2012.
- ^ http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2744735/?ref=atw
- ^ http://www.billboard.com/#/artist/amy-macdonald/858545
- ^ http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/esearch/chart_display.jsp?cfi=851&cfgn=Singles&cfn=Triple+A&ci=3107455&cdi=10175111&cid=04%2F18%2F2009
- ^ Simpson, Dave (4 July 2007) "Amy Macdonald: The Lamp, Hull" Guardian Unlimited. Retrieved 30 September 2007. "Although her speaking voice seems almost shy, her vocals fire singing bullets against the rear wall.".
- ^ Smith, Aidan (12 August 2007). "Chasing Amy". Scotland on Sunday. http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-12967085.html. Retrieved 16 February 2010.
- ^ "Amy's first million". The Herald. 23 August 2008. http://www.heraldscotland.com/amy-s-first-million-1.834875. Retrieved 16 February 2010.
- ^ "It's my passion". London: The Guardian. 10 May 2008. http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2008/may/10/popandrock. Retrieved 16 February 2010.
- ^ Johnson, Emma (7 September 2007). "Amy Macdonald is causing a stir in the music world". Liverpool Daily Post. http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverpool-life-features/liverpool-arts/2007/09/07/amy-macdonald-is-causing-a-stir-in-the-music-world-64375-19750660/. Retrieved 16 February 2010.
- ^ "Pop Star Amy MacDonald Falls For SPL Star". Sunday Mail. 17 February 2008. http://www.sundaymail.co.uk/tv-showbiz-news/entertainment-news/2008/02/17/pop-star-amy-macdonald-falls-for-spl-star-78057-20321658/. Retrieved 26 November 2008.
- ^ "Stars Will Shine For Charity's Big Night". Sunday Mail. 16 November 2008. http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/2008/11/16/stars-will-shine-for-charity-s-big-night-78057-20898160/. Retrieved 16 February 2010.
- ^ "Amy MacDonald wins Newcomer | Silver Clef Awards". T5m.com. 28 July 2008. http://www.t5m.com/silver-clef-awards/amy-macdonald-wins-newcomer.html. Retrieved 16 February 2010.
- ^ "HOT 100: The women to watch in 2009". DailyRecord.co.uk. 17 December 2008. Archived from the original on 1 April 2009. http://web.archive.org/web/20090401040326/http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/entertainment/showbiz-news/the-hot-100/page.cfm?headline=10-&method=full&objectid=20976837&siteid=86908. Retrieved 13 February 2009.
- ^ "Amy Macdonald snubbed by British awards but up for a gong in Germany". Daily Record. 27 January 2009. http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/entertainment/2009/01/27/amy-macdonald-snubbed-by-british-awards-but-up-for-a-gong-in-germany-86908-21074059/. Retrieved 21 April 2009.
- ^ "Amy Macdonald Reacts To Echo Awards Nomination". popdirt.com. 26 January 2009. http://popdirt.com/amy-macdonald-reacts-to-echo-awards-nomination/71406. Retrieved 16 February 2010.
- ^ "Amy, Stefanie und Züri West räumen ab" (in German). persoenlich.com. 20 February 2009. http://www.persoenlich.com/news/show_news.cfm?newsid=80649. Retrieved 16 February 2010.
- ^ "A Parents View". Tartan Clef. http://www.tartanclef.org/awards.php. Retrieved 26 May 2011.
- ^ "Swiss Music Awards 2011". Swissmusicawards.ch. http://www.swissmusicawards.ch/nominees. Retrieved 26 May 2011.
- ^ "Die Gewinner 2011". Echopop.de. http://www.echopop.de/die_gewinner_2011. Retrieved 26 May 2011.
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Amy Macdonald |
- Amy Macdonald Official site
- Amy MacDonald video interview at Hydro Connect Festival August 2008
- T In The Park 2007 Interview at STV
- "This Is the Life" Review at Insider Guides
- Amy Macdonald Tour Review
- Interview with manager Pete Wilkinson about Macdonald's discovery and development, HitQuarters June 2009
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