Neon Jungle

Last updated

Neon Jungle
Origin London, England
Genres
Years active2013–2015
Labels
Past members

Neon Jungle were a British girl group consisting of Shereen Cutkelvin, Amira McCarthy, Jessica Plummer, and Asami Zdrenka. They were best known for their second single "Braveheart", which peaked at number four on the UK Singles Chart. Their 2014 debut and only album, Welcome to the Jungle , features "Braveheart" alongside fellow top 10 single "Welcome to the Jungle", as well as the top 20 entries "Trouble" and "Louder". The group separated in 2015.

Contents

History

The group was formed by music manager David Cooper of Eye of the Storm, [1] who began a three-month process of auditions in November 2012. Amira McCarthy and Jessica Plummer were initially scouted separately while shopping in London, while Shereen Cutkelvin and Asami Zdrenka were found via their solo YouTube videos. [2] [3] Cutkelvin, McCarthy, Plummer, and Zdrenka were told in February 2013 that they had made the line-up, and the same week the group began recording material in the studio. [4] [5] RCA Records UK signed the group by June 2013 and showcased them at a press event, although they did not have a name at the time. They chose the name Neon Jungle, which was derived from their song "Welcome to the Jungle" and to reflect that the members were "all individual and quite different". [6] According to Plummer, "it’s like neon is bold, bright, strong individual characters and then the jungle part is the madness". [7]

In August 2013, Neon Jungle released their debut single "Trouble", which entered the UK Singles Chart at number 12 and reached the top 10 on the US Billboard Dance/Electronic Digital Songs chart. [8] During October, the group supported Jessie J on select dates of her Alive Tour, and the following month they performed alongside Taylor Swift at the annual Victoria's Secret Fashion Show in the US. [9] [10] Neon Jungle's second single, "Braveheart", was released in the UK in January 2014 and peaked at number four on the UK Singles Chart; the group had decided that the song's energy and major bass made it the best option for their second single. Neon Jungle released the song "Welcome to the Jungle" as their third single in April 2014; it debuted at number seven. The same month, they were signed to RCA Records in the United States. [11]

The group performed at various UK music festivals during mid 2014, including Wireless Festival, T in the Park and the Blackpool Illuminations Switch-On Festival Weekend.[ citation needed ] Their debut album, Welcome to the Jungle , was released in July 2014 following the single "Louder" (number 14), and entered the UK Albums Chart at number eight. Welcome to the Jungle features songwriting and production contributions from Charli XCX, CocknBullKid, Cassie Davis, Fear of Tigers, Snob Scrilla, and soFLY & Nius. The group described the album as having "the same energy and attitude that came from Trouble" and "raw, stripped-back and versatile". [2] The album includes a cover of Banks's "Waiting Game", which attracted publicity after Banks publicly acknowledged her dissatisfaction with the cover's release months prior to that of her own debut album, Goddess ; Neon Jungle declined to respond to her comments. [12] [13] [14] A fifth single, "Can't Stop the Love", was released in December 2014. [15]

The group's contract with RCA Records was terminated in May 2015. Cutkelvin said the following month that the group were searching for a new label, writing new material and continuing to perform live. [16] In July 2015, Neon Jungle announced via social media that they were disbanding. [17] [18] They were nominated at the 2015 Teen Choice Awards in the category of Choice Music: Next Big Thing. [19]

Artistry

Neon Jungle's sound was described by The Guardian as "pop-dance with a dash of punky" and "a cross between the chanty agit-pop of Icona Pop and the rumbling, EDM-tinged noise that fills the radio", and by The Independent as "edgy pop". [20] [21] [22] Plummer said that the group were "not into a particular genre of music, we don’t want to be soul, we don’t want to be R&B or hip-hop, we want to be a new flavour". [23]

Zdrenka commented on the diversity of their singing voices, characterising Cutkelvin's as "soulful", McCarthy's as "raspy" and having "that belt voice as well", Plummer's as having "a nice tone", and her own as "moody". [24]

Members

Shereen Cutkelvin

Born on 2 December 1996, is from Lanark, Scotland and is of Belizean and British descent. She is the youngest member of the band. Cutkelvin admits her shyness, but claims she's "been singing since she could walk and talk". She was inspired by her father, and considers him her "musical idol". Cutkelvin mentions she feels she was "born in the wrong generation", and mentions her love for Motown and soulful music with the likes of Diana Ross and The Temptations. Cutkelvin posted covers of herself on YouTube, along with videos with her family. She was later discovered and invited to audition, and mentions she got the call to confirm her place in the group on her way back to her home in Scotland. Cutkelvin also mentions working for Sony before joining the group. [25]

In 2017, Cutkelvin began appearing on series fourteen of The X Factor , in a three-piece band with her two brothers, called The Cutkelvins. The Cutkelvins made it to the second semi-finals, and came in 4th/5th place alongside Lloyd Macey.

Shereen now presents CBBC shows, Love Love Love and Saturday Mash-Up!

Shereen also presents her show on Capital Scotland on weekends from 2pm to 6pm.

Amira McCarthy

Born 2 February 1996, in London, McCarthy stated that she has always known that performing was something she wanted to do. She has said that the moment she realised that the route she wanted to go down was music as opposed to acting or dancing was when she took part in a singing competition at her school Westminster Academy. Similarly to Plummer, McCarthy was scouted to be in the group, found in Westfields Shopping Centre, west London. McCarthy later auditioned and made the final four. [26] She is of African, Irish and Caribbean descent.

Jessica Kate Plummer

Born in London on 16 September 1992, Plummer is the oldest member of the band and had previously worked as an actress. She appeared in two episodes of the CBBC series Wizards vs Aliens . Her musical idols include Mariah Carey, Beyoncé, Rihanna and Jessie J. Plummer was discovered through the group's manager in Brick Lane, London, and from there was invited to auditions. [27] In 2019, she began appearing in the BBC soap opera EastEnders as Chantelle Atkins. [28] In November 2020, Plummer was a contestant on the 20th series of I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! , which was filmed in Wales due to travel restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic. [29]

Asami Zdrenka

Born 15 September 1995 in Japan, Zdrenka was born to Japanese and British parents, and moved to the UK at an early age along with her brother and sister, Ikuma and Airi. Zdrenka has said that she has always loved to sing, and as a child, when her father took her on holiday back to Japan, he would make her sing to her family. [30] Zdrenka's mother Harumi was a singer and her grandfather has released albums in Japan. Zdrenka was also spotted online, through videos of herself singing on YouTube, catching the attention of the label. [31] Following Neon Jungle's split, Asami is working on solo material, and released a video series entitled A Cover Trilogy. [32]

Discography

Studio albums

TitleAlbum detailsPeak chart positions
UK
[33] 		AUS
[34]
Welcome to the Jungle 848

Singles

YearTitlePeak chart positionsCertificationsAlbum
UK
[35] 		AUS
[34] 		IRE
[36] 		SCO
[37] 		US Dance [38]
2013"Trouble"12––49Welcome to the Jungle
2014"Braveheart"419202–
"Welcome to the Jungle"7–464–
"Louder"14–866–
"Can't Stop the Love"
(featuring Snob Scrilla)		–––––
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Tours

Opening act

Awards and nominations

YearAwardCategoryOutcome
2014 Urban Music Awards Best Female ActWon
Best GroupWon
Glamour Women of the Year Awards Band of the YearNominated
4Music Video HonoursBest BreakthroughNominated [41]
Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards UK Favourite BreakthroughNominated [42]
2015 Teen Choice Awards Choice Music: Next Big ThingNominated [19]
APRA Music Awards Dance Work of the Year for "Braveheart"Nominated

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Weather Girls</span> American female musical duo

The Weather Girls are an American female duo whose best-known line-up comprised Martha Wash and Izora Armstead. Formed in 1976 in San Francisco, California, Wash and Armstead began their musical careers as Two Tons O' Fun, the female backup duo for disco singer Sylvester. After several years of singing background for Sylvester, the duo was signed in 1979 to Fantasy Records as Two Tons O' Fun. The duo changed their name to The Weather Girls and were launched into somewhat more mainstream recognition following the release of the single, "It's Raining Men" (1982), which became their first number-one song on the US Dance Chart and their biggest hit. Despite having several hit songs on the Dance Chart as Two Tons O' Fun and The Weather Girls, the duo never achieved a top 40 hit on the main US Hot 100 and ultimately disbanded in 1988 after the release of their self-titled fifth album The Weather Girls.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Forget Me Nots</span> 1982 single by Patrice Rushen

"Forget Me Nots" is a 1982 song by the American R&B musician Patrice Rushen. It appears on her seventh album, Straight from the Heart. It has been sampled and interpolated in several songs, including "Men in Black" (1997) by Will Smith and "Fastlove" (1996) by George Michael.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dannii Minogue discography</span>

Australian singer Dannii Minogue has released five studio albums, eight compilation albums, twenty-eight singles, twenty-three music videos, and five video albums. Minogue rose to prominence in the early 1980s for her roles in the Australian television talent show Young Talent Time and in the soap opera Home and Away, before commencing her career as a pop singer in the early 1990s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Only Love Can Break Your Heart</span> 1970 single by Neil Young

"Only Love Can Break Your Heart" is a song written by Canadian-American singer-songwriter, musician, and activist Neil Young. It has been covered by many bands.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jade Ewen</span> British singer and actress

Jade Louise Ewen is a British singer, actress and a former member of the girl group Sugababes. She began her singing career in a girl group named Trinity Stone, which signed with Sony BMG in 2005 but disbanded in 2007 without releasing an album. In 2009, after winning the right, she represented the United Kingdom in the 2009 Eurovision Song Contest by performing the Andrew Lloyd Webber / Diane Warren penned "It's My Time". She finished in fifth place.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Simone Battle</span> American singer (1989–2014)

Simone Sherise Battle was an American singer, dancer and actress. She was a finalist on The X Factor in 2011 and a member of the girl group G.R.L. from 2012 until her death in 2014. The group was best known for their singles "Vacation", "Ugly Heart" and "Wild Wild Love" with Pitbull. Following her death, the group dedicated their single "Lighthouse" to Battle.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mary Lambert (singer)</span> Musical artist

Mary Danielle Lambert is an American singer, songwriter and spoken word artist. She worked with Macklemore and Ryan Lewis on a track on their album The Heist. Lambert is the featured artist of their LGBTQ rights single, "Same Love". Her contributions to "Same Love" draw upon her experiences as "a lesbian growing up in a tumultuous, Christian upbringing." Lambert took the content she created for "Same Love" and used it to develop the song "She Keeps Me Warm" which she released on July 30, 2013. A music video was released on Vevo on August 24.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trouble (Neon Jungle song)</span> 2013 single by Neon Jungle

"Trouble" is the debut single recorded by British girl group Neon Jungle for their debut and only studio album, Welcome to the Jungle (2014). "Trouble" was released on 3 September 2013 by RCA Records, and was written and produced by CocknBullKid and Benjamin Berry. The song made its UK Singles Chart debut a week later at number twelve.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Common Linnets</span> Dutch band

The Common Linnets are a Dutch band that was formed in 2013. The band originally consisted of Ilse DeLange and Waylon. DeLange has stated that the group is a platform for Dutch artists to make country, Americana, and bluegrass music, and that the members will be changing. In May 2014, Waylon left the group and was replaced by American country singer Jake Etheridge.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Braveheart (song)</span> 2014 single by Neon Jungle

"Braveheart" is a song recorded by British girl group Neon Jungle for their debut studio album, Welcome to the Jungle (2014). It was released by RCA Records as the album's second single on 17 January 2014. The track was written and produced by American rapper Snob Scrilla, with additional songwriting by Cassie Davis and additional production by Baby. "Braveheart" conceptualized accidentally when the group found its demo version on the song producers' laptop and insisted that they record the song. It is an uptempo EDM dance-pop song which comprises "euphoric" instrumentation, a "hammering" bass line, "hands-in-the-air" synths and "pulsing" beats. "Braveheart" contains uplifting lyrical themes and ideals of experiences in a night club.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Welcome to the Jungle (Neon Jungle song)</span> 2014 single by Neon Jungle

"Welcome to the Jungle" is a song recorded by British girl group Neon Jungle for their 2014 debut album of the same name. It was released by RCA Records as the album's third single on 18 April 2014. The track was written and produced by French duo SoFly and Nius and American rapper Snob Scrilla, with additional songwriting by Cassie Davis and Yoan Chirescu, and additional production by Baby. "Welcome to the Jungle" was one of the first songs recorded by Neon Jungle and served as the inspiration for their band name. It features a rap by group members Amira McCarthy and Jessica Plummer. It is an uptempo electronic dance music-electropop song with a "club-friendly" urban sound and "faint traces" of dancehall and reggae. Lyrically, the song concerns the subjects of partying, relationships with men, and having a good time. It is one of the official songs of the 2015 Copa América in Chile.

<i>5 Seconds of Summer</i> (album) 2014 studio album by 5 Seconds of Summer

5 Seconds of Summer is the debut studio album by Australian pop rock band 5 Seconds of Summer. It was released by Capitol Records on 27 June 2014 in Europe and on 22 July 2014 in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. The album was supported by four singles: "She Looks So Perfect", "Don't Stop", "Amnesia", and "Good Girls". Musically, the album is rooted in the pop-punk, pop-rock and power-pop genres. Before the album's release, the band was the opening act for One Direction in from 2013-2015 on three of their concert tours. To promote the album, 5 Seconds of Summer embarked on their first global headlining tour, entitled Rock Out with Your Socks Out Tour, between May and September 2015.

"Waiting Game" is a song by American singer Banks from her second extended play (EP), London (2013). It was written by Banks and Sohn, and produced by the latter. The song was also included on Banks' debut studio album, Goddess (2014). "Waiting Game" charted at number 99 on the UK Singles Chart in January 2014 after being featured in a Victoria's Secret commercial.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Louder (Neon Jungle song)</span> 2014 single by Neon Jungle

"Louder" is a 2014 song by Neon Jungle from their 2014 album Welcome to the Jungle. It is their fourth single.

<i>Welcome to the Jungle</i> (Neon Jungle album) 2014 studio album by Neon Jungle

Welcome to the Jungle is the only studio album by British girl group Neon Jungle, released on 28 July 2014 by RCA Records.

Rowan Harrington, better known by his stage name Secondcity, is an American-born British DJ and record producer, best known for his song "I Wanna Feel", which peaked at number one on the UK Singles Chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Neon Hitch discography</span>

The discography of English singer and songwriter Neon Hitch. Neon's debut digital single "Get Over U" was released in February 2011. Hitch then released her single "Bad Dog", which was intended to be the lead single from her debut album. Later in 2011, she was featured on Gym Class Heroes' song "Ass Back Home". In 2012, Neon Hitch released "Fuck U Betta" and "Gold" featuring Tyga, her official first and second singles respectively. Both songs peaked at number one on the Billboard Dance/Club Play chart.

<i>1</i> (Zara Larsson album) 2014 studio album by Zara Larsson

1 is the debut studio album by Swedish singer Zara Larsson. It was released on 1 October 2014 by TEN Music Group and Universal Music Group. The album is certified platinum in Sweden and gold in Denmark, for selling 40,000 and 10,000 units in the countries respectively. On 30 January 2024, the album was released worldwide on all digital platforms.

"Can't Stop the Love" is a song by British vocal group Neon Jungle featuring Australian-American rapper Snob Scrilla. It is Neon Jungle's fifth and final single from their debut album, Welcome to the Jungle (2014), and was released in the United Kingdom on 15 December 2014.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jessica Plummer</span> English singer and actress (born 1992)

Jessica Kate Plummer is an English actress and singer. From 2013 to 2015, she was a member of the British girl group Neon Jungle, with whom she released an album that peaked at number eight on the UK Albums Chart. She is also known for her roles as Chantelle Atkins in the BBC soap opera EastEnders (2019–2020) and as Emma in the BBC drama series The Girl Before (2021) for which she was nominated for a British Academy Television Award for Best Supporting Actress.

References

  1. ↑ "Eye of the Storm" . Retrieved 10 October 2015.
  2. 1 2 "Neon Jungle: We don't want to be compared to other girlbands". 4music.com. The Box Plus Network. 24 January 2014.
  3. ↑ Adejobi, Alicia (28 July 2014). "Interview: Neon Jungle Talk Debut Album, Meeting Cara Delevingne And Dating Celebrities". entertainmentwise.com. Giant Digital.
  4. ↑ Austin, Emma (7 November 2013). "Exclusive Interview - Neon Jungle". loudmag.co.uk. Student and Graduate Publishing.
  5. ↑ O’Connell, Thomas (1 June 2014). "Neon Jungle Interview". thestudentpocketguide.co.uk. The Student Pocket Guide Ltd.
  6. ↑ Corner, Lewis (30 August 2013). "Neon Jungle interview: 'We're shocked people like us'". Digital Spy.
  7. ↑ Law, Seb (25 June 2013). "Planet Notion » Introducing: Neon Jungle". planetnotion.com. Attic London Ltd. Archived from the original on 23 September 2017. Retrieved 27 November 2014.
  8. ↑ Murray, Gordon (19 December 2013). "Donna Summer Returns 'MacArthur Park' To Top of Dance Chart After 35 Years". billboard.com. Nielsen Inc. Retrieved 24 March 2014.
  9. ↑ "Neon Jungle Join Jessie J On UK Arena Dates!". metroradio.co.uk. 14 October 2013.
  10. ↑ Lansky, Sam (14 November 2013). "What To Expect From The 2013 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show (From Someone Who Was There)". idolator.com. SpinMedia.
  11. ↑ Beverley Lyons (27 July 2014). "Neon Jungle braveheart Shereen Cutkelvin always believed she would be a singer.. now she's on the verge of debut album". dailyrecord.
  12. ↑ "BANKS Fans Think Neon Jungle Are "Lowdown Basic Bitches Who Can't Write Their Own Tracks"". NOISEY. 31 July 2014.
  13. ↑ "Banks feels 'icky' about Neon Jungle cover". BBC News. 30 July 2014.
  14. ↑ "BANKS makes statement on Neon Jungle's use of 'Waiting Game'". DIY. 30 July 2014.
  15. ↑ John Dingwall (23 November 2014). "Neon Jungle star Shereen Cutkelvin admits performing at the Scottish Music Awards is a good cure for homesickness". dailyrecord.
  16. ↑ Beverley Lyons (30 June 2015). "Neon Jungle songstress Shereen Cutkevlin reveals band are focusing on 'new beginning' after being dropped from label". dailyrecord. Retrieved 10 October 2015.
  17. ↑ "Neon Jungle Breaks Up: U.K. Girl Group Splits After One Album". Billboard. 10 October 2015. Retrieved 10 October 2015.
  18. ↑ "Girl band Neon Jungle split up after two years together". BBC News. 7 July 2015. Retrieved 10 October 2015.
  19. 1 2 "Teen Choice Awards 2015 Nominations: Taylor Swift Leads the Pack - Billboard". Billboard. Retrieved 10 October 2015.
  20. ↑ "New band of the day Neon Jungle (No 1,557)". The Guardian. 19 July 2013.
  21. ↑ Michael Cragg (11 December 2013). "Neon Jungle – Braveheart: New music". The Guardian .
  22. ↑ "One to watch: Neon Jungle, band" . The Independent. 29 August 2013. Archived from the original on 18 June 2022.
  23. ↑ "Introducing: Neon Jungle". HUNGER TV.
  24. ↑ "Next Wave #537: Neon Jungle". Clash Magazine . 2 December 2013.
  25. ↑ "Shereen Cutkelvin Biography". Heatworld.com . Retrieved 18 February 2014.
  26. ↑ "Amira McCarthy Biography". Heatworld.com . Retrieved 18 February 2014.
  27. ↑ "Jess Plummer Biography". Heatworld.com . Retrieved 18 February 2014.
  28. ↑ Warner, Sam (5 March 2019). "EastEnders casts former Neon Jungle singer Jessica Kate Plummer as Chantelle Baker". Digital Spy .
  29. ↑ Rocks, Chelsea. "Neon Jungle: when was I'm A Celebrity contestant Jessica Plummer in the girl band". Yorkshire Evening Post .
  30. ↑ "Asami Zdrenka Biography". Heatworld.com . Retrieved 18 February 2014.
  31. ↑ "New girlband Neon Jungle have a smashing time as they make video for debut single Trouble". Daily Record . Retrieved 18 February 2014.
  32. ↑ Laurence Day (24 September 2015). "Pop newcomer Asami Zdrenka unveils bewitching cover of Placebo's "Pure Morning" [Premiere] - The Line Of Best Fit". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 10 October 2015.
  33. ↑ "Artists: Neon Jungle". Official Charts Company. 4 August 2014.
  34. 1 2 Hung, Steffen. "Discography Neon Jungle". Australian Charts Portal. Hung Medien (Steffen Hung).
  35. ↑ "Neon Jungle > UK Charts". officialcharts.com/ Official Charts Company.
  36. ↑ Hung, Steffen. "Discography Neon Jungle". Irish Charts Portal. Hung Medien (Steffen Hung).
  37. ↑ Peak positions for singles in Scotland:
  38. ↑ "WebCite query result". Billboard . Archived from the original on 24 December 2013. Retrieved 24 December 2014.{{cite magazine}}: Cite uses generic title (help)
  39. ↑ "BPI certification 2013". BPI . Retrieved 1 March 2013.
  40. ↑ "ARIA : Charts Accrediations : Singles 2014". Aria.com.au. Retrieved 22 April 2020.
  41. ↑ "4Music Video Honours 2014 - 4Music". 8 April 2016. Archived from the original on 8 April 2016.
  42. ↑ "Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards – UK Favourite Breakthrough". Nickelodeon UK. Archived from the original on 27 March 2013. Retrieved 23 March 2014.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.