Lauren Aquilina

Last updated

Lauren Aquilina
Lauren Aquilina Kings 050513 (cropped).jpg
Aquilina performing in Kings Cross, London in May 2013
Background information
Birth nameLauren Amber Aquilina
Born (1995-06-23) 23 June 1995 (age 29)
Bristol, England
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Singer
  • songwriter
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • piano
Years active2011–2016, 2018–present
Labels

Lauren Amber Aquilina (born 23 June 1995) is a Maltese-English singer and songwriter. Born in Bristol, she gained popularity by independently releasing a trilogy of EPs (Fools, Sinners, and Liars) whilst studying at school. Her debut album Isn't It Strange? was released on 26 August 2016, after being signed with Island Records and Universal Music Group. Aquilina took a musical hiatus in October 2016, but resumed in August 2018.

Contents

Life and career

Aquilina was born on 23 June 1995 in Bristol to parents from Malta. Her musical origins began with her playing piano in school. [1] She has been singing since she was eight years old and has been playing piano since she was nine. When she was thirteen years old she attended her first open mic event and sang "Poker Face" by Lady Gaga while her mother filmed her. Aquilina's manager (at the time), Ryan Walter, came across one of the videos and the two began working with one another putting together Aquilina's initial EP Fools.

In December 2011, Aquilina uploaded a cover of Brenda Russell's song "Get Here", which she recorded at home to raise money for the Meningitis Trust. [2] She said that she was "trying to raise as much money as I can for a good cause, especially at Christmas time." [3] In August 2012, Aquilina announced her independently released debut EP Fools through her management label Interlude Artists which was released on iTunes on 22 October 2012. To promote her EP, Aquilina performed an eight-song set in Tromsø, Norway, and was noticed by a Norwegian newspaper [4] who called Aquilina "a great, talented songwriter who plays piano to accompany her beautiful voice." In September 2012, Aquilina announced through social media that she would be headlining her very first UK tour in early 2013. [5] The title track from Fools received its first UK national radio play on BBC Radio 1 on 15 October 2012 on the BBC Introducing show. [6]

It was announced on 15 August 2013 that Aquilina would headline the BBC Introducing stage at Reading & Leeds Festival 2013. She also played her first ever show in the United States on 21 August 2013, when she played a sold-out headline show at Manhattan's Rockwood Hall. Aquilina released her final EP Liars in the Fools, Sinners, Liars EP trilogy on 10 March 2014. Having asked to hear Lauren's third EP Liars, which she recorded and marketed with her manager, Island Records and Universal Music Group signed Aquilina as a new artist. In June 2014, Aquilina collaborated with Scottish band Prides on one of their tracks, "Strong Enough". Aquilina released her debut album Isn't It Strange? under Island Records and Universal Music Group on 26 August 2016 (Enn Kosova-Maudling). On 10 October 2016, Aquilina announced on her Twitter and Facebook accounts that she was no longer going to be writing music or performing for herself and that Isn't It Strange? would be her final album. [7] [8] In November 2020, she admitted that her break from the music industry had to do with mental health issues and credits working with Kylie Minogue as the catalyst for getting her excited about it once again. [9]

Aquilina returned to music in 2018 with "Psycho", from an EP set for a 2020 release. [10] [11] [12] This was followed by numerous singles, including "Tobacco In My Sheets" in March 2019, [13] "Swap Places" in October 2020, [14] and "Best Friend" in November 2020. [15] Following the release of "Best Friend", Aquilina announced the release of her EP Ghost World, which was released on 13 November 2020. [16] On 23 April 2021, she released the single "The Knife". [17]

Reception

Music reviewing website "Sound Of The Day" praised Aquilina's vocals in her cover of Lana Del Rey's "Born To Die":

"[She] took this cover and exploded it, and took [Del Rey's] vocals to another level. She has convinced me that with her very touching and emotional feel to her voice, she can change the course of many up and coming musicians. She is just in her room with a mic and keyboard, and has something to say, imagine her in an actual studio with better equipment. This girl could be a force on whatever label she signs with. The song and Lauren remind me of the beautiful Adele. Adele has a very powerful voice and people know when she is in the room. Lauren has that presence with her beautiful voice and amazing talent." [18]

Fortitude Magazine writer Maxie Molotov-Smith complimented Aquilina's musical approach and rated her third EP, Liars, a five out of five star rating. Praising,

"Lauren’s sound is beautifully crafted soul-inflected Piano Pop (a sound that Sara Bareilles, Chantal Kreviazuk and Regina Spektor have been known to dabble in) that conjures lifting atmospheres, honey-sweet vocals and some of the wisest lyrics that any teenage songwriter has ever written". [19]

Influences

Aquilina credits Stereophonics, Coldplay, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Annie Lennox as influences. [20]

Personal life

Aquilina identifies as bisexual. [21] As of 2021, she shared a flat with fellow musician Orla Gartland. [22]

Discography

Studio albums

TitleDetailsPeak Chart Positions
UK
[23]
SCO
[23]
Isn't It Strange?64
[upper-alpha 1]
46

Extended plays

TitleDetails
Fools
  • Released: 22 October 2012
  • Label: Independent
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
Sinners
  • Released: 22 July 2013
  • Label: Independent
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
Liars
  • Released: 10 March 2014
  • Label: UIR
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
Ocean
  • Released: 9 October 2015
  • Label: Island Records
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
Ghost World
  • Scheduled: 13 November 2020
  • Label: Independent
  • Format: Digital download, streaming

Singles

TitleYearPeak Chart PositionsAlbum
UK
[23]
"Fools"201272Fools
"King"
"Sinners"201366Sinners
"Lovers or Liars"201458Liars
"Time To Say Goodbye"2015197
[24]
Non-album single
"Ocean"Ocean
"Low"
"Echoes"Non-album single
"Kicks"2016Isn't It Strange?
"How Would You Like It?"
"Midnight Mouths"
"Psycho"2018Ghost World
"If Looks Could Kill"2019Non-album single
"Tobacco In My Sheets"Ghost World
"Bad People"2020Non-album single
"Swap Places"Ghost World
"Best Friend"
"The Knife"2021Non-album singles
"Empathy"
"Hanging By Your Halo"2022
"—" denotes releases that did not chart.

Songwriting credits

SongYearArtistAlbum
"Lost"2015 Emji Folies douces
"3AM"
(featuring Katie Herzig)
RAC Non-album single
"Worthy of You"2018 Plested First & Foremost
"Shoot Down the Sun" Hook n Sling Non-album singles
"Anyway"Jack Vallier
"I Believe You" Fletcher
"Groove Nocy Letniej"20194Dreamersnb.
"Cruel to Be Kind"Ea KayaNon-album single
"Crazy Enough" Julie Bergan Hard Feelings: Ventricle 1
"Devil" CLC Non-album single
"Hard Feelings"Julie BerganHard Feelings: Ventricle 1
"Wrong"2020 Louise Redknapp Heavy Love
"Invisible" Grace Davies Friends with Tragic
"Tokyo Love Hotel" Rina Sawayama Sawayama
"Addicted to Blue"Grace DaviesFriends with Tragic
"Josslyn" Olivia O'Brien The Results Of My Poor Judgement
"Criminal" Taemin Never Gonna Dance Again: Act 1
"LUCID" Rina Sawayama Sawayama Deluxe
"Carefully"2021 Demi Lovato Dancing with the Devil... the Art of Starting Over
"California Sober"
"Butterfly"
"EveryTime I Cry" Ava Max Non-album single
"Love (Sweet Love)" Little Mix Between Us
"Cut You Off"
"Eleven" Ive Eleven
"Minor Feelings"2022 Rina Sawayama Hold the Girl
"This Hell"
"Your Age"
"Imagining"
"Frankenstein"
"Send My Love to John"
"Phantom"
"To Be Alive"
"Beautiful Liar"2023 Monsta X Reason
"Performer" Rebecca Black Let Her Burn
"Hypnosis" Ive I've Ive
"Galileo" Kep1er Magic Hour
"Either Way" Ive I've Mine
"Baddie"
"Holy Moly"
"Perfect Night" Le Sserafim Non-album single
"Backwards" Weeekly ColoRise
"Girls of the Year"2024 Vcha Non-album single
"Magnetic" Illit Super Real Me
"Ice Queen" Ive Ive Switch

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Horrors</span> English rock band

The Horrors are an English rock band formed in Southend-on-Sea in 2005, consisting of lead vocalist Faris Badwan, guitarist Joshua Hayward, keyboardist and synthesizer player Tom Furse, bassist Rhys Webb, and drummer and percussionist Joe Spurgeon. Their music has been classified as garage rock, garage punk, gothic rock, shoegaze and post-punk revival.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Deaf Havana</span> English alternative rock band

Deaf Havana are an English alternative rock band from Hunstanton and King's Lynn, Norfolk, England. The band was formed in 2005 at the King's Lynn campus of The College of West Anglia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paloma Faith</span> English singer and actress (born 1981)

Paloma Faith Blomfield is an English singer, songwriter, and actress. After signing to Epic Records in 2008, Faith released her debut studio album, Do You Want the Truth or Something Beautiful? (2009), which was certified double platinum in the UK. Her second studio album, Fall to Grace (2012), charted at number two on the UK Albums Chart and earned her another double platinum certification. The album also spawned her first UK top ten single, "Picking Up the Pieces", the top twenty cover version of INXS's "Never Tear Us Apart", and earned her two Brit Award nominations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Megan Washington</span> Australian musician and songwriter (born 1986)

Megan Alexanda Washington is an Australian musician and songwriter who has worked mononymously as Washington. Originally performing jazz music, her style shifted to indie pop and alternative rock. She has released four studio albums, I Believe You Liar, There There, Batflowers, and Hot Fuss (2022). Both I Believe You Liar and There There reached the top 5 on the ARIA Albums Chart and Batflowers peaked in the top 25.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lauren Alaina</span> American singer and songwriter

Lauren Alaina Kristine Suddeth is an American singer and songwriter from Rossville, Georgia. She was the runner-up on the tenth season of American Idol. Her debut studio album, Wildflower, was released on October 11, 2011. Her second album, Road Less Traveled, was released January 27, 2017. Alaina later achieved her first number one on the Country Airplay chart with the album's title track. Her second number one came later that year when she simultaneously topped five Billboard charts with her friend and former classmate Kane Brown on their duet "What Ifs". In addition to this song with Brown, Alaina became an in-demand duet vocalist throughout the next few years, appearing on number one collaborations with Hardy, Devin Dawson, and Dustin Lynch. Her third studio album, Sitting Pretty on Top of the World, was released on September 3, 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gabrielle Aplin</span> British singer-songwriter

Gabrielle Ann Aplin is an English singer-songwriter. After amassing a following for her acoustic music covers on YouTube, Aplin signed a recording deal with Parlophone in February 2012. She rose to prominence the following November when she was selected to record the soundtrack for a John Lewis television commercial with a cover of Frankie Goes to Hollywood's "The Power of Love", which went on to top the UK Singles Chart.

<i>Fools and Worthless Liars</i> 2011 studio album by Deaf Havana

Fools and Worthless Liars is the second album from English band Deaf Havana and the first since the departure of founding member Ryan Mellor. The album marks a departure from the band's earlier post-hardcore style of music in favour of a song orientated power pop approach heavily influenced by bands such as Jimmy Eat World as well as the modern British wave of pop punk, largely due to the band's decision not to replace Mellor, who was a screamer. Critics were generally very supportive of this development.

Laura Kidd is an English record producer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, releasing music, videos and podcast episodes as Penfriend, and formerly known as She Makes War. After releasing four albums between 2010 and 2018, She Makes War was formally disbanded in December 2019, and she launched new a music project Penfriend in May 2020, with accompanying weekly podcast series, Attention Engineer. Her collaboration project with Rat, Obey Robots, was launched in December 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Daughter (band)</span> English indie folk band

Daughter is an English indie folk trio. Fronted by North London native Elena Tonra, the band was formed in 2010 after the addition of American-born Swiss guitarist Igor Haefeli and drummer Remi Aguilella from France. They have released four EPs and three albums, and are currently signed to Glassnote and 4AD (Europe). After playing the local London circuit, they toured supporting Ben Howard around Europe and have since played headlining tours around North America, Europe and Australia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Orla Gartland</span> Irish singer, songwriter, musician

Orla Gartland is an Irish singer, songwriter and musician. Gartland released her debut album, Woman On The Internet in 2021, which reached number 3 on the Irish album chart, number 1 on the UK Indie Chart, and number 10 on the UK album chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lauren Jauregui</span> American singer and songwriter

Lauren Michelle Jauregui Morgado is an American singer and songwriter. She rose to prominence as a member of the girl group Fifth Harmony, which became one of the best-selling girl groups of all time. Jauregui began experimenting with different sounds and exploring solo songwriting, collaborating on songs with Marian Hill, Steve Aoki and Halsey. She signed to Columbia Records to release her debut solo single "Expectations" in October 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Foxes (singer)</span> English singer, songwriter and model

Louisa Rose Allen, known professionally as Foxes, is an English singer, songwriter, and model. After her debut single "Youth" was noticed by Zedd in 2012, she was featured on the song "Clarity", which peaked at number eight on the Billboard Hot 100 and won a Grammy Award for Best Dance Recording. She has since released three albums: Glorious (2014), All I Need (2016), The Kick (2022) as well as two EPs: Warrior (2012) and Friends in the Corner (2021). She has achieved commercial success with the singles "Youth", "Let Go for Tonight", "Holding onto Heaven", "Body Talk", and "Amazing".

<i>Fools</i> (EP) 2012 EP by Lauren Aquilina

Fools is the debut extended play by English singer-songwriter Lauren Aquilina, self-released on 22 October 2012. Without record label support, independent funding, radio support or any PR, the EP reached number 10 in the main UK iTunes album chart, peaking ahead of many releases from major labels during that week. The title track "Fools" also reached number 72 in the official UK singles chart, making her the only English artist to achieve an official chart placement in 2012.

<i>Sinners</i> (EP) 2013 EP by Lauren Aquilina

Sinners EP is the 2nd music release by artist Lauren Aquilina, it is the follow-up to her 2012 release Fools EP. The EP, like the previous years effort 'Fools' was self-released through Interlude Artists. The EP beat Aquilina's previous effort Fools by peaking at number 5 in the main UK iTunes album chart. Sinners EP also sat at the No. 1 spot in Malta's album chart for over 16 weeks due to the fact Aquilina is half-Maltese by descent.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Charlotte OC</span> Musical artist

Charlotte Mary O'Connor, better known by her stage name Charlotte OC, is a British singer-songwriter.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lauren Daigle</span> American singer and songwriter (born 1991)

Lauren Ashley Daigle is an American contemporary Christian music singer and songwriter. After being signed to the label Centricity Music, she released her debut album, How Can It Be, in 2015. It reached No. 1 on the Billboard Top Christian Albums chart, has been certified Platinum by the RIAA and produced three No. 1 singles on the Billboard Christian Airplay chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Celeste (singer)</span> British R&B singer (born 1994)

Celeste Epiphany Waite is a British singer and songwriter. She began her career in 2014 providing vocals for electronic producers such as Avicii, Tieks and Real Lies, while also self-publishing content onto SoundCloud on the side. She made her solo debut via Lily Allen's vanity label Bank Holiday Records with the EP The Milk & the Honey (2017), and then released her second EP Lately (2019) after signing with Polydor Records in 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dodie</span> English singer and songwriter (born 1995)

Dorothy Miranda Clark, known mononymously as Dodie, is an English singer, songwriter, author and YouTuber. Dodie began her career uploading original songs and covers to YouTube. As of August 2023, her main channel has over 196 videos, over 2.01 million subscribers and over 431.66 million views, and her second channel has over 203 videos, over 882k subscribers and over 100.46 million views.

<i>Look Up Child</i> 2018 studio album by Lauren Daigle

Look Up Child is the third studio album by American contemporary Christian music singer and songwriter Lauren Daigle. It was released on September 7, 2018, through Centricity Music. The album received the Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Christian Music Album at the 2019 Grammy Awards. It was nominated for Top Christian Album at the 2019 Billboard Music Awards. The album has spent 44 weeks at No. 1 on the Christian Albums chart, the longest reign of the 2010s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fleurie (musician)</span> Musical artist

Lauren Strahm, better known by her stage name Fleurie, is an American musician from Nashville, Tennessee. Her first album, Love and War, was released on September 19, 2016. Songs from the album have been featured in Atypical, Cloak & Dagger, Reign, Bones, Pretty Little Liars, Saving Hope, Queen Sugar, Scream, Shadowhunters, and Station 19, among others. Fleurie toured internationally including headline dates in China and support dates with Owl City in Japan and South Korea in November 2018.

References

Notes

  1. Isn't It Strange? also charted at 44 on the Album Sales Chart, 32 on the Album Downloads Chart and 66 on the Physical Albums Chart. [23]

Sources

  1. Julie PeaPod (29 September 2012). "17-year-old Lauren Aquilina releases her debut EP – 'Fools'". Gozo News.Com. Retrieved 30 July 2013.
  2. "Get Here review". Fakewalls.com. Archived from the original on 2 October 2013. Retrieved 9 September 2013.
  3. "Get Surrey entry on local bands". Getsurrey.co.uk. Retrieved 9 September 2013.
  4. "Lauren Aquilina in Norway (from her official facebook page)". Fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net. Retrieved 9 September 2013.
  5. "Lauren Aquilina Tickets – Buy Lauren Aquilina Concert Tickets". Nme.com. Retrieved 9 September 2013.
  6. "BBC Radio 1 – BBC Introducing with Jen and Ally, 15/10/2012". BBC. 15 October 2012. Retrieved 30 July 2013.
  7. Lauren Aquilina [@laurenaquilina] (10 October 2016). "💙" (Tweet) via Twitter.
  8. "Lauren Aquilina". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 11 January 2019.
  9. "Lauren Aquilina: The pop star who gave up singing". BBC News. 22 November 2020. Retrieved 7 March 2021.
  10. "Lauren Aquilina interview: "I'm seeing this as completely starting again" • Popjustice". 6 September 2018. Retrieved 11 January 2019.
  11. Glenister, Dale (7 September 2018). "Lauren Aquilina returns in spectacular fashion for 'Psycho'". Peanut Mixtape. Archived from the original on 29 January 2019. Retrieved 11 January 2019.
  12. Angove, Danny (10 September 2018). "Lauren Aquilina's Comeback Single Is A Sassy-As-Hell Pop Song With An Earworm Of A Chorus" . Retrieved 11 January 2019.
  13. "Lauren Aquilina Debuts Fragile New Single "Tobacco in My Sheets" (premiere + interview)". PopMatters . Retrieved 6 November 2020.
  14. "Lauren Aquilina unveils sensual new single 'Swap Places'". Maxazine. Retrieved 6 November 2020.
  15. "Lauren Aquilina delivers a sombre eulogy to a friendship gone awry on "Best Friend"". The Line of Best Fit . Retrieved 6 November 2020.
  16. Forrest, Eleanor (18 December 2020). "Coming Out The Other Side: Lauren Aquilina". Notion . Retrieved 24 April 2021.
  17. Kenneally, Cerys (23 April 2021). "Lauren Aquilina returns with first single of the year "The Knife"". The Line of Best Fit . Retrieved 24 April 2021.
  18. "Lauren Aquilina Born To Die cover review". SoundOfTheDay.[ permanent dead link ]
  19. "Lauren Aquilina EP Review: Liars". Fortitude Magazine. 9 March 2014.
  20. Garvan, Sinead (23 August 2013). "Lauren Aquilina: Headlining BBC introducing is 'insane'". BBC News. Retrieved 11 January 2019.
  21. "Replying to @laurenaquilina i identify as bisexual so maybe one day but i just wanted this album to be accessible for everyone ☺️". 15 September 2016. Retrieved 21 September 2021.
  22. Schaarschmidt, Nina (9 June 2021). "Coming of Age As a "Woman on the Internet": In Conversation with Orla Gartland". Atwood Magazine. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  23. 1 2 3 4 "LAUREN AQUILINA". Official Charts Company . Retrieved 8 July 2024.
  24. "Chart: CLUK Update 19.09.2015 (wk38)". Chart Log UK. zobbel.de. Retrieved 12 September 2016.