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Goldfrapp Information
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'Goldfrapp' is a British electronic music duo from Bath, England. The group consists of:
* Alison Goldfrapp: lead vocals. keyboards, synthesizer
* Will Gregory: keyboards, synthesizer
History
While still in college she performed on her friend Tricky's 1995 debut album "Maxinquaye" and also lent her vocals to Orbital's album "Snivilisation". As she began to write her own music, her demos were passed on to composer Will Gregory by a few of her friends. Having the same musical tastes and interests, they decided to form a duo to perform under Alison's last name.
The duo signed to London based record label Mute in 1999 and released their debut album, Felt Mountain, in 2000 to much critical acclaim. The album, produced by PJ Harvey producer John Parish, features Alison's vocals, partly enhanced by synthesizers, set over a minimalistic, detached soundscape influenced by styles as diverse as 1980s synth pop, classical film scores and traditional folk music. The album spawned several hit singles which managed to chart in the Top 50 in the UK. The album was also nominated for the 2001 Mercury Music Prize.
In 2003, the band released their second album, Black Cherry, again to critical praise. The album took Goldfrapp's sound in a very different direction, with pronounced, groovy drum beats and a generally edgier, more hectic atmosphere. "Black Cherry" peaked at number 19 on the UK albums chart and, like "Felt Mountain", produced several hit singles which again charted in the UK Top 20. The song "Strict Machine" also managed to achieve minimal success in Canada charting at number 33 and in the USA peaking at number 1 on the Billboard Dance/Club Play Chart. Three songs from the album were used in television commercials: "Strict Machine" and "Train" for the launch of the Game Boy Advance, and "TipToe" for a Coca-Cola ad. In 2004 following their successful tour in support of "Black Cherry" a digital only EP was released under the name "Wonderful Electric" which featured four songs recorded live at Somerset House and Shepherds Bush Empire in 2003 and 2001.
In 2003 Goldfrapp's website was awarded the MTV Europe Music Award for best website. The current version of the website is not the award-winning one, having been redesigned as a precursor to the release of Goldfrapp's third album, entitled Supernature. The new album was released on August 22 2005, and carries Goldfrapp's sound further in the direction taken with Black Cherry. "Supernature" contains many disco and glam-rock influences, which could be see on the albums first single, "Ooh La La". The album not only received critical praise but also commercial success in the UK and Australia, charting a number 2 on the UK albums chart. "Supernature" is due for release on March 7, 2006 in the United States. Also in 2005, Goldfrapp was nominated for Best Alternative Group/Artist at the MTV Europe Music Awards.
Discography
For more detailed information please see the Goldfrapp discography page.
Albums
* Felt Mountain (11/09/00 - Mute Records CDStumm188)
* Black Cherry (28/04/03 - Mute Records CDStumm196) #19 UK
* Supernature (22/08/05 - Mute Records CDStumm250) #2 UK
Singles
'From Felt Mountain:'
* "Lovely Head" (29/05/00 - Mute247)
* "Utopia" (06/11/00 - Mute253)
* "Human" (26/02/01 - Mute259)
* "Utopia (Genetically Enriched)" (11/06/01 - Mute264) #62 UK
* "Pilots" (05/11/01 - Mute267) #68 UK (double A-side with "Lovely Head")
'From Black Cherry:'
* "Train" (14/04/03 - Mute291) #23 UK
* "Strict Machine" (21/07/03 - Mute295) #25 UK
* "Twist" (03/11/03 - Mute311) #31 UK
* "Black Cherry" (01/03/04 - Mute320) #28 UK
* "Strict Machine 04" (10/05/04 - Mute335) #20 UK
'From Supernature:'
* "Ooh La La" (08/08/05 - Mute342) #4 UK
* "Number 1" (31/10/05 - Mute351) #9 UK
* "Ride A White Horse" (scheduled for release in early 2006)
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