Alison Goldfrapp Explained

Alison Goldfrapp
Birth Name:Alison Elizabeth Margaret Goldfrapp
Birth Date:1966 5, df=yes
Alias:Goldfrapp
Birth Place:London, England
Years Active:1989–present
Current Member Of:Goldfrapp

Alison Elizabeth Margaret Goldfrapp (born 13 May 1966) is an English musician and record producer, known as the vocalist of English electronic music duo Goldfrapp.

Early life and education

Alison Elizabeth Margaret Goldfrapp[1] was born on 13 May 1966, in Enfield, London, the youngest of six children.[2] Her mother, Isabella Barge, was a nurse. Her father, Nicholas Goldfrapp, had been an army officer, and worked in advertising. Goldfrapp's surname is of German origin.[3]

While Goldfrapp was growing up, her family moved frequently, eventually settling in Alton, Hampshire, where Goldfrapp attended the independent Alton Convent School. She sang in a choir at the school and has said that she loved being in a school with nuns.[4] However, she was forced to leave at age 11 after failing the senior exam,[5] and attended the local comprehensive school, Amery Hill School.

She moved into a squat in London aged 16, then lived in Belgium for a brief time. Four years later she went to art school, where she started experimenting with music.[6]

Career

In 1994, she featured on the Orbital album Snivilisation and recorded songs "The Good" and "The Bad" with trip reggae outfit Dreadzone, for their 'best of' album The Best of Dreadzone – The Good The Bad and the Dread. Performing with them live resulted in two songs on the limited edition Performance album released in 1994.[7] In the same year, Goldfrapp featured on trip hop artist Tricky's 1995 song "Pumpkin" and collaborated with Stefan Girardet on two songs on the soundtrack to the 1995 film The Confessional.

Goldfrapp was introduced to composer Will Gregory in 1999 after he had listened to her vocal contribution for "Pumpkin"; they then formed Goldfrapp and signed to Mute Records.

In 2000, she was a featured vocalist on the songs "The Time Of The Turning" and "The Time of the Turning (Reprise)/The Weaver's Reel" from the release OVO, Peter Gabriel's soundtrack album to the London Millennium Dome Show.

The pair began recording their debut album over a six-month period, beginning in September 1999, in a rented bungalow in the Wiltshire countryside.[8] The band's debut album Felt Mountain was released in 2000 and featured Goldfrapp's synthesized vocals over cinematic soundscapes.[9] Goldfrapp released their second album Black Cherry in 2003. The band recorded the album in Bath, England. This album focused more heavily on dance music and glam rock-inspired synths than its predecessor.[10] Black Cherry peaked at number nineteen on the UK Albums Chart,[11] where it has since been certified Platinum for sales in excess of 300,000 copies. It also sold over 52,000 copies in the US by 2006.[12]

Supernature, Goldfrapp's third album, was released in 2005. The album comprises pop and electronic dance music prominently featured on Black Cherry, but focuses more on subtle hooks instead of the large choruses that made up its predecessor. It has sold one million copies worldwide[13] and earned the duo two nominations at the 2007 Grammy Awards for Best Electronic/Dance Album and Best Dance Recording for the song "Ooh La La".[14]

Seventh Tree, Goldfrapp's fourth album, was released in 2008 and debuted at number two on the UK Albums Chart. The album is a departure from the pop and electronic dance music featured on Supernature, featuring ambient and downtempo music. The band were inspired by an acoustic radio session they had performed, which led the duo to incorporate acoustic guitars into their music to create "warm" and "delicate" sounds.[15]

In 2009, she was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Music degree by the University of Portsmouth.[16]

Goldfrapp have released seven albums, most recently Silver Eye in 2017. Hits include "Strict Machine", "Ooh La La", "Lovely Head" and "A&E". The multi-platinum selling band have been nominated for the Mercury Prize, multiple Brit and Grammy Awards and won an Ivor Novello for "Strict Machine".

Goldfrapp scored the films My Summer of Love and Nowhere Boy.

In recent years, Goldfrapp has dedicated more time to her role as a photographer and director. She created and photographed the album artwork for Silver Eye and directed videos for singles "Systemagic", "Everything Is Never Enough" and "Ocean".

In September 2021, Goldfrapp were awarded the Ivor Novello 'Inspiration Award' which celebrates "peer recognition for the excellence of the Goldfrapp songwriting catalogue and in particular how it has inspired the creative talent of other creators".[17]

Solo projects

In January 2023, Goldfrapp confirmed she would be releasing her first music as a solo act under her name.[18] On 19 January, her collaboration track with Claptone, "Digging Deeper", was released.[19] In February 2023, Goldfrapp released "Fever" with Paul Woolford.[20]

On 16 March 2023, Goldfrapp announced her debut solo album, The Love Invention, which was released on 12 May 2023.[21] Goldfrapp described the album as "my tribute to the dance floor". The lead single, "So Hard So Hot", was released alongside the announcement on 16 March.[21] [22] The album reached no.6 in the UK Album charts (matching previous Goldfrapp albums Head First and Silver Eye).

On 24 July 2024, Goldfrapp announced that she had launched her own record label, A.G Records; its first release was the single "I Wanna Be Loved (Just A Little Better)".[23]

Artistry

Voice

Goldfrapp has a soprano vocal range.[24] She is noted for her operatic abilities, particularly on the group's debut album Felt Mountain and prominently on the songs "Utopia" and "Pilots". Her delivery in a more contemporary voice has been described as "breathy", "sultry", "ethereal" and "startling".[25] [26] Goldfrapp has been commended for her vocal versatility, morphing her voice to fit various genres such as folk, pop, classical, dance, trip hop and electronica throughout her career.[27] [28] Goldfrapp has used a Korg MS20 Audio Envelope follower to manipulate her vocals, such as the song "Lovely Head" in which her voice is altered to resemble a theremin.[29] Vocally, Goldfrapp has been compared to Marlene Dietrich, Siouxsie Sioux, Björk,[30] Kate Bush and Elizabeth Fraser of the Cocteau Twins.[31]

Compositions

Goldfrapp produces and writes most of her material alongside bandmate Will Gregory. She draws inspiration from a range of artists and musical genres. As a teenager she listened to Kate Bush, T. Rex, Donna Summer, Joan Jett, Marc Bolan, David Cassidy,[32] and Iggy Pop and The Stooges, and discovered Serge Gainsbourg while working in Belgium.[33] While travelling through Europe in the early 1990s, she began listening to Polish disco music and cabaret music from the Weimar Republic. Other media, including film, have influenced Goldfrapp who cites Roman Polanski's 1966 psychological thriller Cul-de-sac, the 1973 cult film The Wicker Man and the James Bond franchise as influences.[34] [35] She draws inspiration from surrealism and nature, all of which appear in Goldfrapp's album artwork, which she designs in collaboration with Big Active. Goldfrapp believes that "music is a visual experience" and therefore visualises her lyrics before writing them. While writing, Goldfrapp uses her vocals to create melodies and drumbeats.[36] Her songwriting is characterised by its use of animals to describe human emotions and status.[37]

Public image

While touring in 2004, sections of the group's stage show featured Goldfrapp in a white dress wearing a horse tail and dancers with deer heads, which were inspired by her interest in animals and mythology.[38]

The artwork for Goldfrapp's album Seventh Tree featured her dressed as a Pierrot. Her new image, inspired by paganism, featured her dressed in white or natural-coloured flowing gowns with loose curly blonde hair.[39] [40]

During 2010, Goldfrapp took on several new images to fit with their forthcoming album Head First. The music on this album was more '80s-influenced, reflected in the artwork featured on the album's first single, "Rocket", which features Goldfrapp in a pink jumpsuit. For their live shows, she wore spangly black leggings and a jacket covered in VHS tape which was blown about by two electric fans placed at front centre-stage. The shine of the plastic reflected the colourful stage lighting.

In 2013, Goldfrapp was invited by the Lowry, Salford, to curate an exhibition as part of their 'Performer as Curator' annual series. The exhibition was a collection of photography and paintings inspired by ideas of metamorphosis and fairytales.

Personal life

Goldfrapp confirmed she was dating film editor Lisa Gunning in a February 2010 interview with The Sunday Times saying, "I think of everything as being about a person and a relationship, and I am in a wonderful relationship with a wonderful person. It just happens to be with a lady... It's something I've thought about for a long time and it concurs with my philosophy on life and sexuality. I don't think it can or should be pigeonholed. I've thought about this since I was a teenager. I've always found it claustrophobic to think about having to put things into categories like that. My sexuality is the same as my music and my life. Why does it need a label?"[41] Goldfrapp's relationships before this were with men.[42]

In November 2020, it was announced that Goldfrapp was dating architect Peter Culley.[43]

Goldfrapp is dyslexic.[5]

Discography

Albums

Title! scope="col" rowspan="2"
DetailsPeak chart positions
UK
[44]
GER
[45]
The Love Invention
  • Released: 12 May 2023
  • Label: BMG
  • Formats: CD, LP, digital download, streaming
6 39

Singles

Title! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:2em;"
YearPeak chart positionsCertificationsAlbum
UK
"Digging Deeper"
(with Claptone)[46]
2023The Love Invention
"Fever" (with Paul Woolford)[47]
"So Hard So Hot"[48]
"NeverStop"[49]
"Love Invention"[50]
"In Electric Blue"[51]
"Every Little Drop"[52] The Love Reinvention

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: ASCAP ACE – Search Results . https://web.archive.org/web/20110523073828/http://www.ascap.com/ace/search.cfm?requesttimeout=300&mode=results&searchstr=1604443&search_in=c&search_type=exact&search_det=t,s,w,p,b,v&results_pp=20&start=1 . dead . 23 May 2011 . . 19 November 2009 .
  2. News: Benson. Richard. Alison Goldfrapp: ethereal girl. The Daily Telegraph. UK. 2 February 2008. 19 November 2009.
  3. News: Farndale . Nigel . Alison Goldfrapp interview . The Daily Telegraph . UK . 24 August 2010 . 10 November 2013.
  4. Web site: An interview with Alison Goldfrapp – Electronic Beats. Electronicbeats.net. 24 November 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141025235438/http://www.electronicbeats.net/en/features/interviews/full-moon-get-in-the-car-an-interview-with-alison-goldfrapp/. 25 October 2014. dead.
  5. News: Sawyer. Miranda. Gold rush. 2004-03-21. The Guardian. 2020-03-03. en-GB. 0029-7712.
  6. Web site: Cragg . Michael . Alison Goldfrapp: 'I like the intensity of a sweaty club' . . 21 April 2023 . 21 April 2023.
  7. Web site: Dread Zone* – Performance. Discogs. 1994 . 6 July 2018.
  8. News: Simpson. Dave. Interview with Alison Goldfrapp. UK. The Guardian. 4 May 2001. 20 March 2011.
  9. Web site: Once Upon A Time on Felt Mountain . . https://web.archive.org/web/20070827072247/http://www.mutelibtech.com/goldfrapp/blackcherry.html . 27 August 2007 . dmy .
  10. Web site: Hermann . Andy . Goldfrapp: Black Cherry . . 2 May 2003 . 15 June 2007.
  11. Web site: The Official Charts Company – Goldfrapp . . 1 December 2008 .
  12. Caulfield . Keith . Ask Billboard: 'Gold'finger . Billboard . . 3 August 2006 . 14 June 2007 . https://web.archive.org/web/20070202163634/http://www.billboard.com/ . 2 February 2007 . live .
  13. Web site: Goldfrapp Radio . goldfrapp.com . https://web.archive.org/web/20070212015327/http://goldfrapp.com/radio/ . 12 February 2007 . 29 May 2007.
  14. Web site: 49th Annual GRAMMY Awards winners list . Grammy Awards . . 12 June 2007 . dead . https://archive.today/20100117004427/http://www2.grammy.com/GRAMMY_Awards/49th_Show/list.aspx . 17 January 2010 .
  15. Ayers . Michael D. . Goldfrapp Quiets Down On 'Seventh Tree' . Billboard . . 10 December 2007 . 21 January 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20080112062925/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1047091/goldfrapp-quiets-down-on-seventh-tree. 12 January 2008 . live.
  16. Web site: Honorary Graduates | . University of Portsmouth . 1 October 2012 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120210043441/http://www.port.ac.uk/departments/services/graduation/honorarygraduates/ . 10 February 2012 .
  17. Web site: Harry Styles haunts Noel Gallagher with win at Ivor Novello Awards . www.bbc.co.uk . 22 September 2021.
  18. Web site: Alison Goldfrapp on Instagram: "New music coming very soon " .
  19. Web site: Alison Goldfrapp on Instagram: "New solo music coming soon but first – an exciting taster club collaboration out today… Listen to Digging Deeper with @claptone.official out now Link in bio #music #claptone #club #outnow" .
  20. Web site: Alison Goldfrapp and Paul Woolford unleash new collaboration 'Fever'. Retropop. 16 February 2023. 19 February 2023.
  21. Web site: Alison Goldfrapp announces album The Love Invention, shares hypnotic single 'So Hard So Hot'. NME. Dunworth. Liberty. 16 March 2023. 16 March 2023.
  22. Web site: New Releases. Official Charts. Griffiths. George. 23 March 2023. 24 March 2023.
  23. Web site: Alison Goldfrapp marks launch of own label A.G Records. With it's first single ‘I Wanna Be Loved (Just A Little Better)’ . . 24 July 2024. 11 August 2024.
  24. News: Goldfrapp – review. The Guardian. 27 November 2011. 10 February 2012. Ian. Gittins.
  25. News: Goldfrapp – The Singles review. BBC. 1 February 2012. 14 February 2013. Jaime. Gill.
  26. News: Goldfrapp The Singles – review . MusicOMH . 6 February 2012 . 30 December 2012 . John . Murphy . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120929194552/http://www.musicomh.com/albums/goldfrapp-6_0112.htm . 29 September 2012 .
  27. News: Goldfrapp – Live Review. The Guardian. 27 November 2011. 14 February 2013. Ian. Gittins.
  28. News: Goldfrapp – Felt Mountain Review. Allmusic. September 2009. 14 February 2013. Heather. Phares.
  29. News: Goldfrapp: Analysis . . Andy . Hermann . 30 November 2001. 19 March 2013.
  30. Web site: Matt . LeMay. Goldfrapp Felt Mountain . Pitchfork.com . 19 September 2000 . 20 January 2010.
  31. News: Goldfrapp – Seventh Tree review. MusicOMH. 25 February 2008. 19 March 2013. John. Murphy.
  32. Web site: Goldfrapp: Why they're not your average pop group | Features | Culture . https://web.archive.org/web/20151223025928/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/goldfrapp-why-theyre-not-your-average-pop-group-323145.html . 2015-12-23 . limited . live . The Independent . 2005-10-29 . 2015-12-22.
  33. Web site: Patterson . Sylvia . Glam Slam . . goldfrapp.free.fr . 4 September 2005 . 15 June 2007.
  34. Web site: Micallef . Ken . Whips, Wolves, & Tricky . . 17 December 2000 . 14 June 2007 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110718135127/http://uk.music.yahoo.com/read/interview/12027442 . 18 July 2011 .
  35. Stubbs . Dan . In the Studio: Twiddling the Knobs This Month: Goldfrapp . . Bauer Media Group. 15 January 2008-->.
  36. Web site: Gallant . Michael . Retro Disco Ooh La La . . February 2006 . 24 June 2007 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20090206141806/http://www.keyboardmag.com/article/retro-disco-ooh/Jan-06/17580 . 6 February 2009 .
  37. Web site: Grow . Kory . British electro-duo Goldfrapp evens out the odds with their latest, Supernature . . 12 June 2007 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20060712002743/http://www.cmj.com/articles/display_article.php?id=9547290 . 12 July 2006 . dmy-all .
  38. Web site: Interview with Alison Goldfrapp . . BBC . 29 June 2004 . 14 June 2007.
  39. Web site: Welch . Andy . It's not all glitz for Goldfrapp . . 27 October 2008 . 1 December 2008.
  40. News: Rogers. Jude. Manure rather than manicure. UK. The Guardian. 25 January 2008. 1 December 2008.
  41. Web site: Flynn . Paul . 28 February 2010 . Alison Goldfrapp walks alone . https://web.archive.org/web/20110615063654/http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/music/article7037529.ece . 15 June 2011 . 14 March 2010 . The Sunday Times.
  42. News: Farndale . Nigel . 24 August 2010 . Alison Goldfrapp interview . The Daily Telegraph . UK . 10 November 2013.
  43. Web site: Glam up (The Interrogator – Alison Goldfrapp). 24 November 2020. Monocle.
  44. Web site: Alison Goldfrapp full Official Chart history. Official Charts Company. 19 May 2023.
  45. Web site: Discographie von Alison Goldfrapp. GfK Entertainment. de. 19 May 2023.
  46. Web site: Alison Goldfrapp launches solo career with debut single 'Digging Deeper'. NME. Charlotte. Krol. 6 May 2023.
  47. Web site: Alison Goldfrapp, Paul Woolford Combine On Magnetic Single 'Fever' | News. Clash. Robin. Murray. 6 May 2023.
  48. Web site: Alison Goldfrapp Shares New Song "So Hard So Hot": Listen. Brodsky. Rachel. Stereogum. 16 March 2023. 6 May 2023.
  49. Web site: Alison Goldfrapp – "NeverStop". Stereogum. 13 April 2023. 6 May 2023.
  50. Web site: Alison Goldfrapp Shares Video Vignette for New Song "Love Invention". Under the Radar Mag. 2 May 2023. 6 May 2023.
  51. Alison Goldfrapp shares In Electric Blue video vignette. Retro Pop Magazine. 7 June 2023. 25 September 2023.
  52. Every Little Drop by Alison Goldfrapp. Popnable. 10 November 2023. 11 November 2023.