From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Amy Macdonald
Amy Macdonald
Amy Macdonald 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, Den-
mark 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 stu-
dio 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 suc-
cessful in Europe 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 Curi-
ous Thing, the album has sold 1,000,000 copies worldwide.
Early life
Amy Macdonald at Joy eslava, Madrid 08/02/10.
Macdonald attended Bishopbriggs High School.[2] She is
Background information a self-taught musician,[3] playing her father’s guitar after
Birth name Amy Macdonald being inspired by Travis at the T in the Park Festival in
2000, where she heard Travis’ song "Turn" and wanted to
Born 25 August 1987 (1987-08-25)
play it herself.[4] She started playing in pubs and coffee
Origin Bishopbriggs, East Dunbartonshire, Scotland houses around Glasgow at 15,[5] including the Brunswick
Cellars on Sauchiehall Street.[6]
Genres Rock, Soft rock, Folk rock, Indie folk
Occupations Singer, songwriter, musician
Career
Instruments Vocals, guitar, keyboard
Years active 2007–present Breakthrough
Macdonald sent a demo CD in response to an advertise-
Labels Vertigo, Mercury, Melodramatic Records
ment placed in the NME[5] by a new production company
Website www.amymacdonald.co.uk set up by songwriters Pete Wilkinson and Sarah Eras-
mus.[7]
Amy Macdonald (born 25 August 1987 in Bishopbriggs, In an interview with HitQuarters, Wilkinson said he
East Dunbartonshire) is a Scottish recording artist. Mac- was "literally aghast" at her songwriting abilities when
donald rose to fame in 2007 with her debut album, This first he heard Macdonald play the songs "This is the Life"
Is the Life (2007) and its fourth single, "This Is the Life". and "Mr Rock n Roll".
The single charted at number one in six different coun-
tries worldwide, and charted inside the top ten in anoth- I said, “Amy, who wrote those songs?” And
er eleven countries worldwide. she said, “I did.” I said, “No, you didn’t,” gig-
The success of the single achieved Macdonald success gling, hoping she really did. She said, “I bloody
in the American music market, where she was a guest on well did!” I told her she was extraordinarily
shows such as The Ellen DeGeneres Show and The Late Late talented, and the moment she sang those
Show with Craig Ferguson in 2008, where she performed songs I remembered her voice and the hooks,
two singles from the album, leading her album, This Is
1
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Amy Macdonald
Amy Macdonald, 2009
European countries. The single was awarded Platinum in
Germany and Belgium and Gold in Spain and Switzer-
land. 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
Amy Macdonald on stage at T On The Fringe After Party at The the first single featured on Bebo/iTunes’ "Free Single of
Caves, Edinburgh. the Week" program.[11]
She appeared as a musical performing guest on Bri-
which out of 500 [demos submitted] was a tish and foreign shows including The Album Chart Show,
very good sign. Loose Women, Friday Night Project, Taratata (France), and
—Pete Wilkinson, [7] This Morning. She won the best newcomer award at the
Silver Clef awards.[12]
Wilkinson then spent around eight or nine months
recording demos with Amy at his home studio with a A Curious Thing (2010-2011)
view to securing a record deal for his new client. In 2007,
Main article: A Curious Thing
Macdonald signed a contract with Vertigo.
Macdonald began writing songs for her second album in
Macdonald received her first major press coverage
spring 2009, in a brief break from her touring commit-
when she questioned whether the 2007 winner of The X
ments. For the first time she began poring through her
Factor, Leon Jackson, was suffering from tonsillitis, refer-
old notebooks, looking at song ideas, unlike her debut
ring to it as "lazyitis". Macdonald had tonsillitis at the
which consists mainly of songs that she wrote straight
same time but still performed at Glasgow and at the BBC’s
away.[13] Many of the tracks were inspired by real-life
Hogmanay Live show the same night.[8]
personalities or events from her everyday life. Contrary
to some reports, she did not write "Spark" for murdered
This Is the Life (2007–2009)
toddler James Bulger after watching a TV programme on
Main article: This Is the Life (Amy Macdonald album) his murder.[14] "What Happiness Means To Me" is dedi-
In 2007, Macdonald released her debut album, titled This cated to her footballer fiancé Steve Lovell,[15] while "An
Is the Life. The album sold 3 million copies, and reached Ordinary Life" is inspired by the "Z-list celebs" she saw
#1 in the UK, The Netherlands, Switzerland and Den- flocking around Scots-born Hollywood actor Gerard But-
mark.[9][10] The first single from the album, "Poison ler at a party he held in Glasgow late 2009 to mark the
Prince", was only a limited release. The second single, opening of his film Law Abiding Citizen.[13] There is also
"Mr. Rock and Roll", became Macdonald’s first top 40 a track about Michael Jackson and one dedicated to her
song charting at #12 in the United Kingdom. However the late grandparents.[15] The tracks were recorded at
third single, "L.A.", missed the top 40 at #48, but managed Weller’s BlackBarn Studios in Surrey.[16]
#5 in the Scottish singles chart. Macdonald started working on her second album in
The fourth and most successful single, "This Is the the year of 2009.[17] She said "Some of the sounds are
Life", charted at #28 in the UK, but was #1 in five other
2
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Amy Macdonald
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".[25]
Her debut album, This is the Life, reached #92 on the
US Billboard 200.[26] The single, "This is the Life" reached
#25 on the US Billboard Triple-A Hot 100 singles charts.[27]
Artistry
Musical style
Reviewers have described Macdonald as softly spoken
but with a booming singing voice.[28] Her vocal range is
contralto.[29]
Macdonald cites Travis as her biggest influence.[30]
Other influences include The Killers[31] and the Lib-
ertines.[32]
Personal life
Macdonald outside the 02 Academy in Newcastle upon Tyne in In 2008, Macdonald became engaged to football striker
2010 Steve Lovell.[10][33] Her favourite songs are "Acquiesce"
by Oasis, "Your Love Keeps Lifting Me Higher & Higher"
just amazing and we’ve managed to persuade one of my by Jackie Wilson, "A Town Called Malice" by The Jam,
favourite artists to whack some stuff down on them, but "When You Were Young" by The Killers, "Thunder Road"
you’ll have to wait and see."[18] The second album, titled by Bruce Springsteen, "Driftwood" by Travis, "Don’t Look
A Curious Thing, was released on 8 March 2010.[19] Back Into The Sun" by The Libertines, "Strangers In The
It was preceded by the release of the first single, Night" by Frank Sinatra, "God Only Knows" by The Beach
"Don’t Tell Me That It’s Over", a week earlier on 1 March Boys and "For Once In My Life" by Stevie Wonder.
2010. The single was released to UK radio on 11 January. (Source: BBC Radio 2 "Tracks of My Years").[34]
Amy performed the new single on the Simon Mayo Show She has one sister.[34] Amy macdonald is an avid fan
on BBC Radio 2 on the same day.[20] "Don’t Tell Me That of scottish football team glasgow rangers.
It’s Over" has been released to radio in countries like UK,
Switzerland, Germany and France.[21] The album’s sec-
ond single "Spark" was released on May 10, 2010[22] on Awards and nominations
digital download format. Macdonald also confirmed that Macdonald won Best Newcomer at the 2008 Tartan Clef
she would tour the United Kingdom and other parts of Awards[35] and Best Newcomer at the 2008 Silver Clef
Europe in 2010.[23] Awards.[36] In December 2008 she was voted "Scottish
The album’s third single "This Pretty Face" was re- person of the year" by The Daily Record.[37]
leased on July 19, 2010. Also, Macdonald confirmed she Macdonald performed, along with U2, at the German
would embark on a tour, entitled The Love Love Tour. Amy 2009 Echo Awards, where she won an award in the cate-
MacDonald is one of a number of artists who appear with gory "Best International Newcomer".[38][39] She also won
Ray Davies in his 2010 album See My Friends. She sings Best International Album and Best International Song at
with him on "Dead End Street". the 2009 Swiss Music Awards.[40]
In 2010 Macdonald won "best album" for A Curious
The Third Album (2011-present) Thing, at the annual Tartan Clef awards on 20 November
In May 2011, it was confirmed by the Bournemouth Echo in Glasgow.[41] Also, Macdonald won "best international
that Amy had already started ’planning to start work on album Rock/Pop" with A Curious Thing at the Swiss music
her third album at the end of this year’.[24] awards in March 2011.[42] Furthermore, Macdonald won
"best international Rock/Pop Female" at the Echo
3
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Amy Macdonald
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
Awards, beating celebrities such as: Adele, P!nk, Rihanna [6] Carroll, Peter (18 December 2008). "Double date for
and Katy Perry.[43] Amy McDonald". The Glaswegian.
http://www.theglaswegian.co.uk/entertainment-
Discography lifestyle/entertainment/2008/12/18/double-date-
for-amy-mcdonald-102692-20979074/. Retrieved 20
Main article: Amy Macdonald discography June 2009.
• This Is the Life (2007) [7] ^ "Interview With Manager Pete Wilkinson",
• A Curious Thing (2010) HitQuarters, 15 June 2009.
[8] Tonsillitis? More like lazy-itis – star Macdonald attacks X
References [9]
Factor’s Leon over cancelled concert, 2 January 2008
"Amy Macdonald - This Is The Life". acharts.us.
[1] Sweeney, Chris. The Sun (London). http://acharts.us/album/27139.
http://www.thesun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/ [10] ^ Lyons, Beverley (20 January 2010). "Susan Boyle
scotlandfeatures/2815685/Amy-Macdonald-is- did not deserve a Brits nomination, insists Amy
back-with-her-second-album.html. Macdonald". The Daily Record.
[2] "Video week – Former Bishopbriggs High School http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/showbiz/music-
pupil Amy Macdonald performs for Bishopbriggs news/2010/01/20/susan-boyle-did-not-deserve-a-
Academy pupils at The Garage nightclub in brits-nomination-insists-amy-
Glasgow". The Herald. Newsquest (Herald & Times) macdonald-86908-21981045/. Retrieved 16
Limited. http://www.theherald.co.uk/videoweek/ February 2010.
Amy. Retrieved 4 August 2008. [11] "Bebo agrees deal with iTunes for music file
[3] "Amy Macdonald – Official Biography". Amy sharing". brandrepublic.com/. 13 June 2007.
MacDonald — The Official Site. http://www.brandrepublic.com/Digital/News/
http://www.amymacdonald.co.uk/gb/biography/. 664073/Bebo-agrees-deal-iTunes-music-file-
Retrieved 16 February 2010. sharing/. Retrieved 26 November 2008.
[4] Macdonald, Amy (16 August 2008). Studio Sessions – [12] "Top Silver Clef award for Oasis". BBC.co.uk. 4 July
Amy MacDonald: A Self-Taught Scot. Interview with 2008. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/
Scott Simon. National Public Radio. KGNU. Boulder, 7489251.stm. Retrieved 26 November 2008.
Colorado. http://www.npr.org/templates/story/ [13] ^ "Amy Macdonald — Biography".
story.php?storyId=93641042. Retrieved 6 Amymacdonald.co.uk.
September 2008. http://www.amymacdonald.co.uk/gb/biography/.
[5] ^ "Pick up an autographed Amy Macdonald album Retrieved 2010-03-22.
and guitar pick now!". MTV Asia. 6 February 2009. [14] "Music Interview Amy MacDonald". Digital Spy.
Archived from the original on 20 April 2009. 2010-07-16. http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/
http://web.archive.org/web/20090420064237/ interviews/a244513/amy-macdonald.html.
http://www.mtvasia.com/Funstuff/Contests/ [15] ^ Sweeney, Chris (2010-01-20). "Amy Macdonald is
AmyMacdonaldAlbum/. Retrieved 20 June 2009. back with her second album". London: The Sun.
4
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Amy Macdonald
http://www.thesun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/ [24] Meldrum, Neil (14 May 2011). "Amy MacDonald
scotlandfeatures/2815685/Amy-Macdonald-is- cheering on Cherries at play-off". Bournemouth
back-with-her-second-album.html. Retrieved Echo. http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/
2010-03-04. 9027245.Amy_MacDonald_cheering_on_Cherries_at_play_off//.
[16] "Amy Macdonald: I’m not thinking about marriage Retrieved 26 May 2011.
yet because it would mean taking break from my [25] http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2744735/
career". The Daily Record. ?ref=atw
http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/showbiz/celebrity- [26] http://www.billboard.com/#/artist/amy-
interviews/2010/02/05/amy-macdonald-i-m-not- macdonald/858545
thinking-about-marriage-yet-because-it-would- [27] http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/esearch/
mean-taking-break-from-my- chart_display.jsp?cfi=851&cfgn=Singles&cfn=Triple+A&ci=3107455
career-86908-22020062/. Retrieved 2010-03-04. [28] Simpson, Dave (4 July 2007) "Amy Macdonald: The
[17] Kilkelly, Daniel (25 March 2009). "MacDonald ready Lamp, Hull" Guardian Unlimited. Retrieved 30
to work on new album". Digital Spy. September 2007. "Although her speaking voice
http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/a150626/ seems almost shy, her vocals fire singing bullets
macdonald-ready-to-work-on-new-album.html. against the rear wall.".
Retrieved 21 April 2009. [29] Smith, Aidan (12 August 2007). "Chasing Amy".
[18] "Amy Macdonald set to release new album next Scotland on Sunday. http://www.highbeam.com/
year". The Daily Record. 21 September 2009. doc/1P2-12967085.html. Retrieved 16 February
http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/showbiz/2009/09/ 2010.
21/amy-macdonald-set-to-release-new-album- [30] "Amy’s first million". The Herald. 23 August 2008.
next-year-86908-21689388/. Retrieved 16 February http://www.heraldscotland.com/amy-s-first-
2010. million-1.834875. Retrieved 16 February 2010.
[19] Dingwall, John (5 February 2010). "Amy Macdonald: [31] "It’s my passion". London: The Guardian. 10 May
I’m not thinking about marriage yet because it 2008. http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/
would mean taking break from my career". The 2008/may/10/popandrock. Retrieved 16 February
Daily Record. http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/ 2010.
showbiz/celebrity-interviews/2010/02/05/amy- [32] Johnson, Emma (7 September 2007). "Amy
macdonald-i-m-not-thinking-about-marriage-yet- Macdonald is causing a stir in the music world".
because-it-would-mean-taking-break-from-my- Liverpool Daily Post.
career-86908-22020062/. Retrieved 16 February http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverpool-
2010. life-features/liverpool-arts/2007/09/07/amy-
[20] "Amy Macdonald: Glasgow gig will showcase new macdonald-is-causing-a-stir-in-the-music-
songs and there’s new single in pipeline too". The world-64375-19750660/. Retrieved 16 February
Daily Record. 9 December 2009. 2010.
http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/showbiz/music- [33] "Pop Star Amy MacDonald Falls For SPL Star".
news/2009/12/09/amy-macdonald-glasgow-gig- Sunday Mail. 17 February 2008.
will-showcase-new-songs-and-there-s-new-single- http://www.sundaymail.co.uk/tv-showbiz-news/
in-pipeline-too-86908-21883853/. Retrieved 16 entertainment-news/2008/02/17/pop-star-amy-
February 2010. macdonald-falls-for-spl-star-78057-20321658/.
[21] "Amy McDonald readies up new single "Don’t Tell Retrieved 26 November 2008.
Me That It’s Over"". Loft965. 15 January 2010. [34] ^ http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2744735/
http://loft965.com/2010/01/15/amy-mcdonald- bio#trivia
readies-up-new-single-dont-tell-me-that-its-over/. [35] "Stars Will Shine For Charity’s Big Night". Sunday
Retrieved 16 February 2010. Mail. 16 November 2008.
[22] Bargiela, Sarah (13 May 2010). "Amy Macdonald - http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/2008/11/16/
Spark". Entertainment Focus. stars-will-shine-for-charity-s-big-
http://www.entertainment-focus.com/music/ night-78057-20898160/. Retrieved 16 February
articles/amy-macdonald-spark-0. Retrieved 26 May 2010.
2011. [36] "Amy MacDonald wins Newcomer | Silver Clef
[23] "Amy’s touring the UK later this year!". Awards". T5m.com. 28 July 2008.
Amymacdonald.co.uk. 8 April 2010. http://www.t5m.com/silver-clef-awards/amy-
http://www.amymacdonald.co.uk/gb/news/ macdonald-wins-newcomer.html. Retrieved 16
2010-04-08/ February 2010.
amys_touring_the_uk_later_this_year/. Retrieved [37] "HOT 100: The women to watch in 2009".
26 May 2011. DailyRecord.co.uk. 17 December 2008. Archived
5
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Amy Macdonald
from the original on 1 April 2009. [43] "Die Gewinner 2011". Echopop.de.
http://web.archive.org/web/20090401040326/ http://www.echopop.de/die_gewinner_2011.
http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/entertainment/ Retrieved 26 May 2011.
showbiz-news/the-hot-100/
External links
page.cfm?headline=10-&method=full&objectid=20976837&siteid=86908.
Retrieved 13 February 2009.
[38] "Amy Macdonald snubbed by British awards but up • Amy Macdonald Official site
for a gong in Germany". Daily Record. 27 January • Macdonald’s pages on: YouTube MySpace Bebo
2009. http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/ iLike Facebook
entertainment/2009/01/27/amy-macdonald- • Amy MacDonald video interview at Hydro Connect
snubbed-by-british-awards-but-up-for-a-gong-in- Festival August 2008
germany-86908-21074059/. Retrieved 21 April • T In The Park 2007 Interview at STV
2009. • "This Is the Life" Review at Insider Guides
[39] "Amy Macdonald Reacts To Echo Awards • Amy Macdonald Tour Review
Nomination". popdirt.com. 26 January 2009. • Interview with manager Pete Wilkinson about
http://popdirt.com/amy-macdonald-reacts-to- Macdonald’s discovery and development,
echo-awards-nomination/71406. Retrieved 16 HitQuarters June 2009
February 2010. Persondata
[40] "Amy, Stefanie und Züri West räumen ab" (in Name Macdonald, Amy
German). persoenlich.com. 20 February 2009.
http://www.persoenlich.com/news/ Alternative names
show_news.cfm?newsid=80649. Retrieved 16 Short description
February 2010. Date of birth 25 August 1987
[41] "A Parents View". Tartan Clef.
Place of birth
http://www.tartanclef.org/awards.php. Retrieved
26 May 2011. Date of death
[42] "Swiss Music Awards 2011". Swissmusicawards.ch. Place of death
http://www.swissmusicawards.ch/nominees.
Retrieved 26 May 2011.
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Amy_Macdonald&oldid=474191540"
Categories:
• 1987 births
• Living people
• People from Glasgow
• Scottish songwriters
• Scottish contraltos
• Scottish female singers
• Scottish female guitarists
• Scottish singer-songwriters
• People from Bishopbriggs
• People educated at Bishopbriggs High School
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