The Veronicas
The Veronicas |
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The Veronicas are an ARIA Award-winning Australian group led by identical twin sisters, Jessica Louise Origliasso and Lisa Marie Origliasso.
Early years
Born to Italian (Sicilian) parents on 25 December 1984, they grew up in Albany Creek (northwest of Brisbane, Australia), where they attended Ferny Grove State High School and Wavell State High School. At an early age the girls expressed interest in performing; they participated with small local papers in shows on television, radio and horses.
Jessica and Lisa also performed in small parts on various television shows including a recurring role in the short-lived 2001 Australian children's series Cybergirl, where they portrayed twin sisters: Lisa played the character 'Sapphire', while Jessica appeared as 'Emerald'. On their 18th birthday Jessica received her first guitar, with this the girls began writing and singing songs. They became Teal which they formed with friends Tracy Woods and R.Viknes[1] and began to experiment with different sounds and genres, releasing a song "Baby It's Over", this only received very minor airplay in Brisbane.[1]
In 2004, Lisa and Jessica were introduced to the Music Director of The Bell Hughes Music Group (BHMG), Hayden Bell. After producing some demo recordings with the twins, Bell invited them to sign a publishing agreement with Excalibur Productions (a subsidiary of BHMG). In the process, Bell helped facilitate their progression in musical style from acoustic pop to the more rhythmic rock pop approach that is now their trademark. On the strength of these demos, Bell took them to meet the executives at Engine Room (a subsidiary of PBL (Packer) Group) and they were immediately signed to a production deal.
To further develop their song writing skills, Bell connected them with internationally acclaimed songwriters and producers including Cliff Magness (who has written for Avril Lavigne), Billy Steinberg (Madonna, Cyndi Lauper), Eric Nova, Dead Mono and Vince DeGiorgio, where they created a catalogue of over 50 songs.[2]
Meetings were then arranged with Warner Bros. Records in the USA. Seymour Stein and senior executives recognized that Bell had indeed discovered and developed a unique musical talent, signing them quickly to a recording contract with Warner Bros. Records/Sire America, for a reported sum of 2 million dollars.[3]
Bell then took one of The Veronicas songs titled "All About Us" and placed it with t.A.T.u, the Russian girl group, and it became a massive world-wide hit. In Australia, he placed their song "What's Goin' On" with Casey Donovan and the song "Faded" for Kate DeAraugo. Both of these artists were winners of the Australian Idol Competition.[4] "What's Going On" was also placed by Bell on the Japanese pop singer Miz's album.[1]
Australian Music In Tune
The duo were featured in an unsuccessful ad campaign for anti-piracy in schools, labelled Australian Music In Tune, other successful Australian artists featured were Powderfinger, Jimmy Barnes and Silverchair.[5]
2005-2007: The Secret Life of...
The Veronicas debut album, entitled The Secret Life of..., was released in Australia on October 17, 2005, entering the ARIA Album charts at the position of #7. Since then, it has peaked at #2 and gone 4x Platinum. Due to the success of the album, five singles have been released in Australia. The singles were '4ever', 'Everything I'm Not', 'When It All Falls Apart', 'Revolution' and 'Leave Me Alone'.
The Secret Life of... spent a year in the ARIA album charts without leaving the top 40. In September 2006, the album was nominated for 3 ARIA awards including; "Best Pop Release", "Highest Selling Album" and "Best Breakthrough Album". The Veronicas won "Best Pop Release" but lost the other two to other nominees. The girls also performed their 2nd single "Everything I'm Not" on the night.
The album was released in the U.S. on February 14, 2006; it debuted at #133 on Billboard 200 and #3 on the Billboard Top Heatseekers chart. Only two singles were released in the United States off the album. A special DVD was released with the U.S. version as a limited edition exclusive. The limited edition included two extra songs and videos, and was only available online. However, copies have been found to have been shipped to several stores in Australia as well. Other releases in the U.S. include Sessions@AOL which features their songs "Heavily Broken" and "Revolution" live in the AOL studios, also released was The Veronicas: Mtv.com Live EP which also features live performances of their songs including a new song, entitled "Stay".
The album has also had success in other countries such as New Zealand where it debuted at #5, in Switzerland a peak of #61 and it also reached the position of #75 on the Dutch Album Charts. In Belgium the album reached the peak of #11 and the girls won the award of Best International New Artist at the TMF Awards of 2006. "When It All Falls Apart" spent a record of 17 weeks of MTV Asia's Pop 10 Chart, in which 7 of then were at the number 1 spot. The song was recorded in Simlish and is featured in the Sims 2 expansion pack Seasons. In early 2007, The Secret Life of... was released worldwide. 4Ever is also a very famous Girl Power song in the U.S., played at many parties and special events.
Lisa and Jessica are the faces of Choice Calvin Klein[6] and Australian hair product company nu:u.[4] Blender named included them in their list of hottest women in rock in 2006.[7] The sisters sang the title song on the short-lived television show Related which had featured songs from their debut album. They appeared as The Veronicas in an episode that aired 6 February 2006. In March 2006, their debut single "4ever" was featured in the Amanda Bynes comedy She's the Man. It was featured in the promotional television spots, the film itself and the soundtrack.
The girls have also appeared on The Suite Life of Zack & Cody episode "The Suite Life Goes Hollywood" as guest stars and on that episode they performed their song "Cry". The twins also have a fashion line in the making to expand their empire and because of their interest in fashion, which was released at Target (Australia) stores on August 25, 2007 in Australia. The range will be called The Veronicas for Target.[8] [9]
On December 2, 2006, The Veronicas released a CD/DVD, entitled Exposed... The Secret Life of The Veronicas in Australia. This release features live performances from their Australian 2006 Revolution tour and a DVD featuring parts of the sisters' lives throughout 2005-2006, including footage that had previously not been seen, and their music videos. The album debuted at #6 on the ARIA DVD Charts accrediting platinum in its first week. The second week it rose to its peak of #3 and was accredited Double Platinum. There is no word on whether or not this album will be released overseas.
2007-present: Hook Me Up
The Veronicas second album "Hook Me Up" was released in Australia on November 3 2007. Their first single from the album, also called "Hook Me Up", was released on August 28. The Veronicas introduced an electro-pop genre to their album, and featured 12 tracks; including their second single "Untouched", and third single. "This Love". The Veronicas will be releasing a fourth single, "Take Me On The Floor", later in 2008.
The album has recently been released in the US with a bonus track called "Goodbye To You". A cover song from the 80's band, Scandal. There has also been a leak of another new song called "Without Love".
The Veronicas have toured Australia showcasing their latest album and performed live at Australian Open 2008, at Melbourne Park to kick start the men's final game at Rod Laver Arena.
Personal life
The Veronicas currently live in Los Angeles, California in the United States.[10]
Lisa
Lisa previously dated singer Ryan Cabrera in 2006 but their relationship ended that year [11]. In April 2007 she began dating former Australian Idol contestant Dean Geyer, they announced their engagement in April 2008. Lisa's relationship with Dean Geyer including their engagement ended abruptly in July 2008, due to difficulties with long distance and with their career paths[12].
Jess
Jess is dating Azaria who is the lead singer of Sydney band The Follow. In 2008 she caused controversy when she was caught kissing MTV Australia VJ Ruby Rose at the 2008 Cleo Bachelor of the Year Awards after party at the Ivy [13]
On July 31, 2008, nude photos of Jess were leaked and posted on porn blog Fleshbot.com[14] , one which showed her looking over her exposed bare upper-back with one of her tatoos visible [15] and another topless shot which hasn't been confirmed as her [16].
Discography
Studio albums
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DVDs
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Live Albums and EP's
- 2006: Sessions@AOL
- 2006: The Veronicas MTV Live!
Top ten singles
| Year | Single | Peak positions | |
|---|---|---|---|
| AUS | NZ | ||
| 2005 | "4ever" | 2 | 7 |
| "Everything I'm Not" | 7 | 10 | |
| 2006 | "When It All Falls Apart" | 7 | 7 |
| 2007 | "Hook Me Up" | 1 | - |
| "Untouched" | 2 | 9 | |
| 2008 | "This Love" | 10 | 27 |
Awards
Tours
Headlining
| Year | Title | Supporting Acts | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | US Tour | October Fall and Jonas Brothers | Their first headlining tour in the US and supported by Keds. |
| 2006 | First Australian Tour | - | All the shows were sold out |
| 2006 | The Revolution Tour | Avalon Drive | Celebrating 1 year in music since the release of their first single 4ever.[3] Ryan Cabrera was originally meant to support the tour but pulled out due to his split from band member Lisa.[11] |
| 2006 | Coca-Cola Live 'N' Local Tour 06 | The Veronicas were part of a line up which also included Evermore, End Of Fashion, After The Fall and The Hot Lies[17] | |
| 2007 | The Hook Me Up Tour[18] | Dean Geyer | |
Supporting
- In late 2005, The Veronicas supported American musician Ryan Cabrera on a tour through the U.S. along with The Click Five.[6]
- In June 2006 The Veronicas were an opening act (along with Ashley Parker Angel) for the Ashlee Simpson U.S. summer tour, but after the first few shows Lisa and Jess had to pull out after Lisa became ill with throat nodules and needed surgery [19].
- The Veronicas supported Natasha Bedingfield on her 20 date U.S. tour that started on May 21 2008 in Myrtle Beach and ended on July 10 in San Francisco, Kate Voegele was also a supporting artist on the tour [20]..
- The Veronicas have in association with American teen pop group the Jonas Brothers; they had opened for the duo at several of their concerts.
References
- ^ a b c "Biography: The Veronicas". Retrieved June 30.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ "Official Website: About". Retrieved June 30.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ a b "The year of the Veronicas". Retrieved September 18.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ a b "Move Over Kylie: here come The Veronicas". Retrieved March 31.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ http://www.theage.com.au/news/music/labelled-with-love/2008/06/19/1213770781342.html
- ^ a b "Veronicas to hit the road". Retrieved September 30.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ "Hottest Women of...Rock!". Retrieved December.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ "The Veronicas hit Target". Retrieved June 13.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ The Veronicas
- ^ The Veronicas Biography
- ^ a b "Break-up causes tour shake up". Retrieved July 8.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ "Did old flame split Lisa, Dean?". news.com.au. July 24, 2008. Retrieved 2008-07-28.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ "Veronicas twin gets kiss from a Rose (again)". fox 101.9. April 30, 2008. Retrieved 2008-07-28.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ "Debate rages over Veronicas 'porn pics'". ninemsn.com.au. August 01, 2008. Retrieved 2008-08-01.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ The Daily Telegraph. Veronicas Jess Origliasso in porn photo shock The Daily Telegraph. Accessed August 01, 2008.
- ^ news. Jess Origliasso nude photo shock news. Accessed August 01, 2008.
- ^ "Live 'n' Local is back". Retrieved July 8.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ "Hook Up with The Veronicas". Retrieved July 8.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ "Enforced spell for Veronicas". Retrieved July 8.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ "Natasha Bedingfield, The Veronicas and Kate Voegele to Appear at Verizon Wireless Communications Store in New York City". Retrieved July 8.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help)
External links
