Alison 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.

Alison Goldfrapp
Goldfrapp at a concert in Oxford in 2010
Goldfrapp at a concert in Oxford in 2010
Background information
Birth nameAlison Elizabeth Margaret Goldfrapp
Born (1966-05-13) 13 May 1966
London, England
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Musician
  • singer
  • songwriter
  • record producer
Instrument(s)
  • Vocals
  • piano
  • tambourine
  • synthesiser
Years active1989–present
Labels
Member ofGoldfrapp
Websitealisongoldfrapp.com

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.[2] 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.[5]

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
Main article: Goldfrapp

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] and sold 52,000 copies in the US.[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.[11] 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 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
Goldfrapp in May 2023

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).[23]

Artistry

Voice

"Goldfrapp's voice—ethereal, otherworldly, but always human—remains a constant variable, the cord that connects all of Goldfrapp's disparate, but equally captivating, incarnations."

—Sal Cinquemani, of Slant Magazine describing Goldfrapps's voice in a review for Head First.[24]

Goldfrapp has a soprano vocal range.[2][25] 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".[26][27]

Goldfrapp performing as part of the Wireless Festival, London 2006

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.[28][29] 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.[30] Vocally, Goldfrapp has been compared to Marlene Dietrich, Siouxsie Sioux, Björk,[31] Kate Bush and Elizabeth Fraser of the Cocteau Twins.[32]

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,[33] and Iggy Pop and The Stooges, and discovered Serge Gainsbourg while working in Belgium.[34] While travelling through Europe in the early 1990s, she began listening to Polish disco music and cabaret music from the Weimar Republic.[34] 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.[35][36] She draws inspiration from surrealism and nature, all of which appear in Goldfrapp's album artwork, which she designs in collaboration with Big Active.[8] 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.[37] Her songwriting is characterised by its use of animals to describe human emotions and status.[38]

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.[39]

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.[40][41]

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?"[42] Goldfrapp's relationships before this were with men.[43]

In November 2020, it was announced that Goldfrapp was dating architect Peter Culley.[44]

Goldfrapp is dyslexic.[5]

Discography

Albums
List of studio albums, with selected details
Title Details Peak chart positions
UK
[23]		 GER
[45]
The Love Invention
  • Released: 12 May 2023[21]
  • Label: BMG
  • Formats: CD, LP, digital download, streaming
 639

Singles
List of singles, with chart positions and certifications, showing year released and album name
Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album
UK Digital
"Digging Deeper"
(with Claptone)[46]		 2023 —[upper-alpha 1] The Love Invention
"Fever" (with Paul Woolford)[48] —
"So Hard So Hot"[49] —[upper-alpha 2]
"NeverStop"[51] —
"Love Invention"[52] —
"In Electric Blue"[53] —

Notes
  1. "Digging Deeper" did not enter the Official UK Top 100 Chart, but peaked at number 72 on the Official Singles Downloads Chart Top 100.[47]
  2. "So Hard So Hot" did not enter the Official UK Top 100 Chart, but peaked at number 80 on the Official Singles Downloads Chart Top 100.[50]

References
  1. "ASCAP ACE – Search Results". American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers. Archived from the original on 23 May 2011. Retrieved 19 November 2009.
  2. Benson, Richard (2 February 2008). "Alison Goldfrapp: ethereal girl". The Daily Telegraph. UK. Retrieved 19 November 2009.
  3. Farndale, Nigel (24 August 2010). "Alison Goldfrapp interview". The Daily Telegraph. UK. Retrieved 10 November 2013.
  4. "An interview with Alison Goldfrapp – Electronic Beats". Electronicbeats.net. Archived from the original on 25 October 2014. Retrieved 24 November 2014.
  5. Sawyer, Miranda (21 March 2004). "Gold rush". The Guardian. ISSN 0029-7712. Retrieved 3 March 2020.
  6. Cragg, Michael (21 April 2023). "Alison Goldfrapp: 'I like the intensity of a sweaty club'". The Guardian. Retrieved 21 April 2023.
  7. "Dread Zone* – Performance". Discogs. 1994. Retrieved 6 July 2018.
  8. Simpson, Dave (4 May 2001). "Interview with Alison Goldfrapp". The Guardian. UK. Retrieved 20 March 2011.
  9. "Once Upon A Time on Felt Mountain". Mute Records. Archived from the original on 27 August 2007.
  10. Hermann, Andy (2 May 2003). "Goldfrapp: Black Cherry". PopMatters. Retrieved 15 June 2007.
  11. "The Official Charts Company – Goldfrapp". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 1 December 2008.
  12. Caulfield, Keith (3 August 2006). "Ask Billboard: 'Gold'finger". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Archived from the original on 2 February 2007. Retrieved 14 June 2007.
  13. "Goldfrapp Radio". goldfrapp.com. Archived from the original on 12 February 2007. Retrieved 29 May 2007.
  14. "49th Annual GRAMMY Awards winners list". Grammy Awards. The Recording Academy. Archived from the original on 6 January 2011. Retrieved 12 June 2007.
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  16. "Honorary Graduates |". University of Portsmouth. Archived from the original on 10 February 2012. Retrieved 1 October 2012.
  17. "Harry Styles haunts Noel Gallagher with win at Ivor Novello Awards". www.bbc.co.uk. 22 September 2021.
  18. "Alison Goldfrapp on Instagram: "New music coming very soon 🖤🪩🖤"".
  19. "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"".
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  27. Murphy, John (6 February 2012). "Goldfrapp The Singles – review". MusicOMH. Archived from the original on 29 September 2012. Retrieved 30 December 2012.
  28. Gittins, Ian (27 November 2011). "Goldfrapp – Live Review". The Guardian. Retrieved 14 February 2013.
  29. Phares, Heather (September 2009). "Goldfrapp – Felt Mountain Review". Allmusic. Retrieved 14 February 2013.
  30. Hermann, Andy (30 November 2001). "Goldfrapp: Analysis". PopMatters. Retrieved 19 March 2013.
  31. LeMay, Matt (19 September 2000). "Goldfrapp Felt Mountain". Pitchfork.com. Retrieved 20 January 2010.
  32. Murphy, John (25 February 2008). "Goldfrapp – Seventh Tree review". MusicOMH. Retrieved 19 March 2013.
  33. "Goldfrapp: Why they're not your average pop group | Features | Culture". The Independent. 29 October 2005. Archived from the original on 23 December 2015. Retrieved 22 December 2015.
  34. Patterson, Sylvia (4 September 2005). "Glam Slam". The Sunday Herald. goldfrapp.free.fr. Retrieved 15 June 2007.
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  38. Grow, Kory. "British electro-duo Goldfrapp evens out the odds with their latest, Supernature". College Music Journal. Archived from the original on 12 July 2006. Retrieved 12 June 2007.
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  41. Rogers, Jude (25 January 2008). "Manure rather than manicure". The Guardian. UK. Retrieved 1 December 2008.
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