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Singer/songwriter Fiona Apple gained a recording contract in 1995 as one in a crop of mid-'90s female artists, but her confessional writing and throaty vocals made the teenager sound like much more than just the latest flavor. Born in 1977 in New York to singer Diana McAfee and actor Brandon Maggart, Apple began playing the piano at the age of eight and started composing her own songs just four years later, after the separation of her parents and her own brutal rape. After leaving high school at the age of 16, she journeyed to Los Angeles to see her father and make a demo tape of her songs. After several months of tape-passing, Sony Music signed Apple in 1995.
After recording Tidal with producer Andrew Slater, she released the album in mid-1996 and began touring. Constant video play of "Criminal" and "Shadowboxer" brought Tidal into the upper reaches of the album charts; it eventually went platinum, and landed her a Grammy plus an MTV Video Music Award. (She made one of the most famous VMA acceptance speeches in history when she proclaimed "This world is bullsh*t" and quoted Maya Angelou.)
The long-awaited When the Pawn Hits the Conflicts He Thinks Like a King What He Knows Throws the Blows When He Goes t -- the album's full title -- followed in 1999. It was a bold move on Apple's part, to follow her debut with an album with 90 words in the title. But she was more confident than ever on When the Pawn, working with producer Jon Brion to craft literate, jazzy pop that played mightily to her strengths. Some of her more casual fans were turned off, but the Apple diehards only grew, and When the Pawn peaked at number 13 on the Billboard charts (aided by the single "Fast as You Can"). Still, its brash title, heady sound, and Apple's on-again, off-again relationship with the public proved obstacles to repeating Tidal's platinum success.
She wasn't heard from again until 2002-03, when word spread through the internet that Sony was unhappy with Apple's newest songs. (By now the Apple cult had grown immensely, helped along by blogs and message boards.) The controversy continued through 2004, with the facts about who was responsible for the griping -- Apple or her label -- ranging from murky to downright unclear. But tracks from her recording sessions had certainly leaked, and while they were apparently unfinished, the fan response was mostly rabid. Apple could now add internet sensation to her lengthy list of titles (prodigy, tease, true songwriting talent, etc.).
By summer 2005, Fiona Apple's third album had a name and a release date. Extraordinary Machine was slated for an October release; it would feature production work from Mike Elizondo and at least some of the material that had leaked, though in what form was unclear. ~ John Bush, All Music Guide
After recording Tidal with producer Andrew Slater, she released the album in mid-1996 and began touring. Constant video play of "Criminal" and "Shadowboxer" brought Tidal into the upper reaches of the album charts; it eventually went platinum, and landed her a Grammy plus an MTV Video Music Award. (She made one of the most famous VMA acceptance speeches in history when she proclaimed "This world is bullsh*t" and quoted Maya Angelou.)
The long-awaited When the Pawn Hits the Conflicts He Thinks Like a King What He Knows Throws the Blows When He Goes t -- the album's full title -- followed in 1999. It was a bold move on Apple's part, to follow her debut with an album with 90 words in the title. But she was more confident than ever on When the Pawn, working with producer Jon Brion to craft literate, jazzy pop that played mightily to her strengths. Some of her more casual fans were turned off, but the Apple diehards only grew, and When the Pawn peaked at number 13 on the Billboard charts (aided by the single "Fast as You Can"). Still, its brash title, heady sound, and Apple's on-again, off-again relationship with the public proved obstacles to repeating Tidal's platinum success.
She wasn't heard from again until 2002-03, when word spread through the internet that Sony was unhappy with Apple's newest songs. (By now the Apple cult had grown immensely, helped along by blogs and message boards.) The controversy continued through 2004, with the facts about who was responsible for the griping -- Apple or her label -- ranging from murky to downright unclear. But tracks from her recording sessions had certainly leaked, and while they were apparently unfinished, the fan response was mostly rabid. Apple could now add internet sensation to her lengthy list of titles (prodigy, tease, true songwriting talent, etc.).
By summer 2005, Fiona Apple's third album had a name and a release date. Extraordinary Machine was slated for an October release; it would feature production work from Mike Elizondo and at least some of the material that had leaked, though in what form was unclear. ~ John Bush, All Music Guide
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comments
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Gorgeous Voice
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- By RegallyBlonde
- 10/21/2009 01:04:23
- All I can say is that God has given Fiona Apple the most gorgeous voice!
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Just Extraordianry
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- By VforVodka
- 2/1/2009 03:44:23
- I first started listening to Ms.Apple when i heard, "Parting Gift". After that i soon listen more of her songs and fell head over heels in love. I listen to her on a daily basis. I'm glad i discovered her after her third album, that way i didn't have to sit around and wait for more. Now though, i'm anxiously awaiting a fourth album.
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Underrated Artist
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- By Shabbydoll
- 10/11/2008 18:40:51
- She received a lot of accolades for "Criminal" and "Tidal" in general but "When The Pawn..." is her best album. I over looked it for years because I thought the title was so pretentious. For the most part I like the original Brion produced, "Machine" better. LOVE her!
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favorite artist
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- By tori1992
- 9/19/2008 08:18:18
- "I Know" and "Get Gone" are two of her best songs. Have loved her for 10 years. Wonderful artist. :]
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Weird is hot.
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- By Paztel
- 8/8/2008 00:35:32
- Fiona is great. The way she expresses herself through her music is adictive to listen to... and LIVE, even better. I love her "weirdness"... she's hot. ;-)
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