Category: Ella Hooper

Australian Artists Unite Bringing ‘Hope For Isla & Jude’

AUSTRALIAN ARTISTS UNITE

BRINGING HOPE FOR ISLA AND JUDE
A collaborative recording of the Kate Bush classic, This Woman’s Work 
to be released by Sony Music Friday December 5th.
Vocalists include:
Sébastien Izambard (Il Divo) * Darren Hayes
* Natalie Bassingthwaighte
Flea (Red Hot Chili Peppers) * Ella Hooper * Diesel * David Campbell
Alex Lloyd * Christine Anu * Luke Steele (Empire of the Sun)
Katy Steele (Little Birdy) * Casey Donovan * Damien Leith * Nathaniel
The Australian Children’s Choir
A star studded line up of music artists have united bringing Hope for Isla and Jude (Donnell), young Australian siblings suffering from the rare and fatal disease Sanfilippo Syndrome. The music collaboration will raise much needed funds for a life-saving clinical trial & treatment for Isla and Jude.
Initiated and produced by Sébastien Izambard (Il Divo) This Woman’s Work will include vocals from Darren Hayes, Natalie Bassingthwaighte, Flea, Ella Hooper, Diesel, David Campbell, Alex Lloyd, Christine Anu, Luke Steele, Katy Steele, Casey Donovan, Damien Leith, Nathaniel and the Australian Children’s Choir  – joining the Donnell family in their fight to save Isla and Jude.
“As a father of three young children myself, l could not sit back and watch these two precious children suffer from such a debilitating and ultimately fatal disease. This could be my children, this could be any of our children. My wish is to see Isla and Jude grow up and be given a chance at life, a chance every child deserves.

I am so humbled and thankful for the support of the Australian music artists lending their vocals. It is such a unique and beautiful quality of the Australian culture, banding together in times of need and one that every Australian should feel proud of” says Sébastien.

All funds raised by the sale of This Woman’s Work will go to the Sanfilippo Children’s Foundation, a not-for-profit charity that dedicates their resources to progressing clinical research into the effective treatment of Mucopolysaccharidosis III, also known as MPSIII or Sanfilippo Syndrome.   The Sanfilippo Children’s Foundation was founded by Megan and Allan Donnell, whose children, Isla (5) and Jude (3) have both been diagnosed with this rare and fatal disease.
Sanfilippo Syndrome is a genetic condition with no hope for a cure – until now. Once, a child born with Sanfilippo faced a certain future – slow and progressive brain damage.  Life expectancy for a child with Sanfilippo was between 12- 20 years and their quality of life was devastating.
Today, for the first time, there is Hope for Isla and Jude and other children, like them, who suffer from Sanfilippo Syndrome.  Around the world, researchers, doctors and foundations like the Sanfilippo Children’s Foundation have been working hard to change the face of Sanfilippo and in the last 2 years there has been significant scientific progress in the pioneering field of gene therapy. Results from this therapy are showing great promise and as it moves in to clinical trials, an effective treatment is now finally within reach.

Ella Hooper Rocks Melbourne!

Charismatic Australian songstress, Ella Hooper launched the second single Haxan, from her debut solo album, in an intimate setting at The Workers Club in Fitzroy on Thursday night. It’s been over a decade since we last saw Ella rocking the stage as the lead singer in Killing Heidi and later Versus, but we can safely say, it’s been worth the wait.

Ella kicked the night off with Low High, the first single of her solo album, In Tounges. Low High has a unique sound that reveals a deeper, gentler, slightly melancholy yet beautiful vocal sound. Ella unveiled a handful of new songs from her album, demonstrating just how far she has evolved as an artist. A few goodies to listen out for included Everything Was A Sign, Dead Star, In Tongues and Wild Stallions. Some well chosen covers were thrown in there with Ella performing a captivating rendition of Helpless by Neil Young and Dancing on my Own by Robyn. Ella ended the gig with a bang with her new single Haxan, a sultry and enchanting song about uncontrollable forces, spells and illusions.

Ella has a certain presence on stage that makes it impossible for you to take your eyes of her. She may have replaced the dreads for an edgier shorter look, but her energy and spirit are relentless; Thursday night saw her rocking the stage, bouncing up and down and flicking her new bangs back and forth. The crowd seemed pleased, shouting “Love you Ella” and “What a babe” and chanting for an encore long after she left the stage.

In Tongues, Ella’s debut album, is set for mid year release.

theaussieword.com thanks Vanessa Indovino for being our official guest blog photographer and reviewer.  You can also check out all the great shots from Ella’s gig on our Facebook page.

New Music: Ella Hooper ‘Haxan’

Renowned Melbourne songstress Ella Hooper has announced the release of her new single, Häxan set for release on April 26, celebrating with a launch gig (supported by Spender) at The Workers Club on Thursday May 9.

Häxan is the sultry yet strident second single lifted from Hooper’s forthcoming debut solo album, In Tongues, set for a mid year release.  With peaks of angst but mostly a sweet understated simmering, Häxan is a tale of spells, hexes and illusions.  “It’s one of the more brooding songs sonically and conceptually off the album,” says Hooper, “I’ve been exploring darker territory lyrically for this record, yet Häxan still feels defiant and almost uplifting when it kicks in, which is why it’s one of my favourites to play live… I get to be quite surly, it’s like the sonic equivalent of a revenge movie.”

The Scandinavian word Häxan translates roughly to ‘The Witches’ and it is indeed a bewitching mood that Hooper manages to conjure up here.  The track deftly picks up from where first single Low High left off, expanding on the film noir/ Tarantino-esque ambience and “peppers some Bad Seeds moments in there too for good measure,” explains Hooper.

The accompanying video clip was filmed by Hooper’s visual collaborator, Wilk and fittingly takes on a dreamy and hypnotic ‘under-a-spell’ theme, which follows suit with the entire In Tongues album, which tells stories of people being taken over by unseen forces, people slightly out of control.  “The clip is Virgin Suicides meets the fairies at the bottom of the garden,” says Hooper.

Stay tuned for Hooper’s debut solo album, In Tongues set for release on June 28.

Exclusive Special Interview: Ella Hooper!

theaussieword.com meets Ella Hooper, the lead from popular Aussie band Killing Heidi – she’s back, she’s going solo and she’s right here for an exclusive blog interview!
What can you tell our readers about you? How and where did it all begin?
I’m a passionate singer, writer and music maker and have been since I was about eleven. At thirteen, one of my songs won jjj’s Unearthed Competition (in 96) which catapulted the school band I led with my brother, Killing Heidi, into a wild few years of successful touring and record making. Since that journey began and finished I’ve toured the world, started other bands -The Verses- become a radio DJ and TV presenter and the list goes on! Most recently I’ve made my very first solo album, In Tongues, and have just released the 1st single, Low High.
What had you first interested in music?
The expression it allowed me, (I have a lot to say!) and I guess the positive response to my singing which gave me a great sense of place and purpose.
Who motivates or influences your quest to make great music?
A mix of personal satisfaction and the desire to communicate with others, private feelings and thoughts when shared and explored help me to understand myself better and exorcize the demons so to speak!
Do you have any planned tours coming up?
No, but early next year there will be shows to promote my solo album!
What are some of your biggest goals you hope to accomplish as an artist?
I’ve accomplished many of them already, now I’m just looking to express myself truthfully and creatively and hopefully connect with others through doing so. Having said that I wouldn’t mind touring Japan and Europe, which I’ve never done. 
What can fans expect from you in the coming months?
A new kind of sassy, smoky, intense Ella that has some new sounds and stories to share! Darker visuals and raw, spiky production is a new feature too.
Success, what is the secret to it and what has been your biggest career highlight so far?
I think the secret is be yourself and highlight what makes you unique. Find your own voice, literally and figuratively. Highlight- sounds a bit tacky but knowing I’ve touched the lives of people who have needed something at the time, and found my music to be it. 
Which stars of the music industry do you find inspiring?
Everyone from Bob Dylan to Beyonce. Anyone playing the long game and not going for the cheap shot. Talent matched with drive and commitment impresses me.
How would you best describe you and your music to your fans?
Strong, raw, expressive, sensual, angsty, wry, irreverent, committed, surly, passionate, yearning, learning, reaching.
What can you tell us about your latest album?
It’s strong, raw, expressive, sensual, angsty, wry, irreverent, committed, surly, passionate, yearning, learning, reaching, like me.
Are there any new exciting projects in the works?
Making film clips and visuals with my right hand man, the amazing photographer/director Wilk, and my friends is a new and exciting way to express myself and paint the picture of this side of me which I’ve never shared before.
The music industry is huge, where do you see yourself a few years from now?
Multi-tasking hopefully, as I have ‘ants in my pants’ when it comes to industry activities.. I love singing, performing, hosting radio and TV, music, blogging, fashion the list goes on! I’ll hopefully find a way to have them all successfully co-exist. My own multi-platform website or show perhaps?
Name a few of your favourite Aussie artists.
Jack Ladder and the Dreamlanders, Pearls, The Preatures, Nick Cave Bad Seeds/Grinder Man, Dirty Three, Paul Kelly, The Magic Mountain Band, The Grates, Bad Thoughts, StillWife, Alpine, Seagull, Seekae, PVT, Kira Piru and The Bruise… and many more!
The shape of the music industry has changed significantly over the years, including the use of social media, how do you feel about the industry as a whole and what does it mean to you in getting your records out into the public eye?
I’m now independent after being signed to almost every label in this country (how did I get away with that?!), so social media has become more important for me and I’m relishing the increased contact I’m having with fans because of it. The industry will change and mutate always, and I’m just going to ride the waves as best I can and hope for another golden era of inspired music making and satisfactory rewards for those who make it.
Thank you for the interview! What can you leave fans of theaussieword.com with here today?
Thanks for listening or reading and I hope you enjoy the first taste of In Tongues, Low High. It’s a song for and about those who struggle to maintain a happy disposition, so if you’re having a crap day- put it on, and dance it out! 😉
www.ellahooper.com
www.facebook.com/ellahooperofficial
www.soundcloud.com/ellahooper
 www.twitter.com/ellahooper
www.lostcluestofuturenews.blogspot.com.au/
Stay tuned for Ella’s debut solo album, In Tongues set for release in early 2013.

New Music: Ella Hooper ‘Low High’

Brand new music from Ella Hooper, formerly of Killing Heidi. This is Ella’s first solo effort and she’s opted for a sultry alt-country meets left-of-centre pop sound that’s not far off Neko Case and early Lykke Li stuff. The record was produced with Jan Skubizewski (Owl Eyes, Illy) and the lead single Low High features guest vocals from the boys of Graveyard Train as well as ex Children Collide drummer Ryan Caeser.

They’ve put together a beautiful arty music video to accompany the track and some classy photo’s of Ella, shot in black and white in a remote pine forrest by photographer Wilk, (who has shot album covers and clips for PVT, Jack Ladder, Bertie Blackman, Dappled Cities, Seeker Lover Keeper) with nods to film noir, slight of hand and horror movies of old.