Kerli

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Biography

Kerli Kõiv (born February 7, 1987), better known Mononymous person|mononymously as Kerli , is an Estonian people|Estonian recording artist.

She was signed to Island Def Jam Music Group in 2006 by LA Reid and in 2008, she released her debut album, Love Is Dead (Kerli album)|Love Is Dead which charted at 126 on the Billboard 200| Billboard 200 in July 2008 and at 2 on the Top Heatseekers#Heatseekers Albums chart| Billboard Heatseekers chart the following month. The album contained the debut single " Walking on Air ". It charted at number seventy-five on the European Hot 100 Singles|European Hot 100 and was featured twice on the United States television dance competition So You Think You Can Dance (U.S. TV series)|So You Think You Can Dance .

In 2010, she appeared on the Almost Alice album — music inspired by the film Alice in Wonderland (2010 film)|Alice in Wonderland — with the song " Tea Party (song)|Tea Party " and the song "Strange" with Tokio Hotel .

A promotional single from her second album titled " Army of Love " was released for free via download on her official website on December 16, 2010. The music video was officially released a week later. It was released for purchase as a single on April 12, 2011. The song spent 11 weeks on Billboard (magazine)|Billboard 's Hot Dance Club Songs chart, and on the week of May 7, 2011, it peaked at number 1. The music video for another song from the album titled " Zero Gravity (Kerli song)|Zero Gravity " was filmed in February 2012. The song was digitally released on March 20, and the music video debuted the following day.

Early life

Kerli was born in Tartu County , Estonia in the town of Elva, Estonia|Elva , with a population of 5,000 during the Soviet Union|Soviet occupation of Estonia which ended when she was four years old. Her mother was a social work er and her father was a car mechanic . Her parents Legal separation|separated when she was 16. Kerli stated when she wrote "Supergirl", a song about domestic violence from her upcoming album, she "put in mother's body and said things that wished that would've said to her dad when was little". Her younger sister, Eliisa Kõiv is also a musician and competed in Eesti otsib superstaari (season 3)|season three of Eesti otsib superstaari , Estonia's version of Pop Idol . Her great-great-grandmother, nicknamed "Beautiful May" for her beauty, was a maid to a duke in Germany , with whom she had a baby.

As a child, she studied Ballroom dance|ballroom dancing for eight years, practicing five days a week. She was first introduced to music by her kindergarten teacher when she told her mother that Kerli had "nice pitch" and that she was interested in taking her to various singing competitions. At 8 years old, Kerli gained interest in classical music and as there was an absence of music in her early life, she only possessed one Compact Cassette|cassette by Bonnie Tyler . She was also a big fan of Spice Girls|The Spice Girls . She began writing stories, mini books, and poems at the age of 10 to escape from her "abusive" household to an "imaginary world". Despite being discouraged, Kerli dropped out of school at the age of 16 to pursue her musical career.

Career

2002–05: Career beginnings

In 2002, Kerli competed in the singing competition Laulukarussell in the age group category 13–15 and on May 18, won with the song " Bridge over Troubled Water (song)|Bridge over Troubled Water ". Also in 2002, she lied about her age to enter the Baltic states|Baltic song contest Fizz Superstar , as the minimum age was fifteen. She ended up winning the contest, gaining a singing contract to Universal Music Group|Universal Sweden . She was later dropped as the person who signed her was fired. Later, the media in Estonia labeled failure as "Kerli Syndrome". Kerli has stated she feels no resentment towards her home country, as she told in a 2008 interview:

Kerli was later signed to an independent label founded by the person who was previously fired from Universal Sweden but the label went bankrupt. At the age of 16, Kerli moved to Stockholm where she competed in Melodifestivalen in Melodifestivalen 2003|2003 but was eliminated in the second Melodifestivalen 2003 semifinals|semifinals . In Eurovision Song Contest 2004|2004 , she was the runner-up in that year's Eurolaul – a televised competition that determines the song that will represent Estonia in the Eurovision Song Contest – with her song "Beautiful Inside".

While in Stockholm for two years, she worked with numerous producers and due to lack of money as the contracts she had gained previously were unsuccessful, she ate nothing but rice for three months when she lived in an abandoned house during winter and slept on a Camp bed|cot . At the age of 18, she moved to the United States where she continued to perform and write songs, ultimately getting an audition with L.A. Reid , who signed her to Island Def Jam Music Group in 2006.

2006–09: Kerli EP and Love Is Dead

In 2006, Kerli signed a contract with Island Records. Kerli worked with producer, songwriter, and mixer David Maurice on an autobiographical set of songs, the first set of which were released on a Kerli (EP)|self-titled EP in 2007. She finally released her debut album, titled Love Is Dead (Kerli album)|Love Is Dead on July 8, 2008, following her debut single " Walking on Air ". The music video for the song " Love Is Dead (Kerli song)|Love Is Dead " was released on February 29, 2008 and the music video for "Walking on Air" premiered on MTV Overdrive on May 20, 2008. Starting in mid-July 2008, "Walking on Air" got minimal rotation on Top 40 stations. “Walking On Air” was downloaded over 550,000 times during iTunes’ "Single of the Week" promotion in July 2008 – the largest in iTunes history. http://lineup.lollapalooza.com/band/kerli

During the 2008 season finale of So You Think You Can Dance (U.S. TV series)|So You Think You Can Dance? , Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox used Kerli's video for "Walking on Air" for part of a commercial promoting their new show Fringe (TV series)|Fringe . Kerli also performed the song at the 2008 Scream Awards|2008 Scream Awards . Kerli's song " Creepshow (Kerli song)|Creepshow " was used in the game Burnout Paradise for its in-game soundtrack and by Fox for its promotion of Fringe's April 7, 2009 return.

She was chosen to perform the theme for the 2008 videogame Quantum of Solace (video game)|Quantum of Solace , "When Nobody Loves You." She also performs the song "Bulletproof" on the official soundtrack of Punisher: War Zone .

In 2009, Kerli performed at the Estonian music festival Õllesummer in Tallinn . On September 10, 2009 Island Def Jam announced Kerli's iPhone application and the first song, Saima was released the following month. Kerli re-released her song "The Creationist"as a duet with the Italian people|Italian songwriter Cesare Cremonini (singer-songwriter)|Cesare Cremonini . http://www.islanddefjam.com/artist/news_single.aspx? nid=5712& artistID=7278

Kerli received an European Border Breakers Award for the success of the album Love Is Dead in Estonia .

2010–present: "Tea Party" and second studio album

On March 2, 2010, Almost Alice , a compilation album featuring music inspired by Disney 's Alice in Wonderland (2010 film)|Alice in Wonderland was released. It contains two songs performed by Kerli, " Tea Party (song)|Tea Party " and "Strange", the latter being a collaboration with Tokio Hotel . A remix maxi single of "Tea Party" was released on June 15, 2010. at Amazon.com|Amazon She covered the song " Nature Boy " for a promo for the Smallville (season 10)|tenth season of Smallville .

On December 19, 2010, Kerli performed a song in Estonian language|Estonian titled "Sa kuldseks jää" ("Stay Golden") at her Grandparents' art show in Estonia. Kerli stated that she wished to officially release the song in Estonia to gain local airplay .

Kerli is currently working on her second studio album. She has stated that she's developing a "new musical style called Bubble Goth" and that the Love Is Dead album was "really moody and dark and introverted, so this album is actually more fun, but it still has that twistedness" and that she's "trying to develop a whole new sound-scape that heard before". She has also said that it is a "a very strong album" about "overcoming the darkness in ..overcoming blaming the world for what's wrong...taking responsibility, being inspired and inspiring others." The album is slated for an early fall release. " Army of Love " was released for free via download on Kerli's official website. It was then released as a single for purchase on April 12, 2011. The song was considered for promotion to become the album's lead single. The music video for "Army of Love" was filmed over several days in Estonia during early November. The video "sets the undertone of entire new album". The music video officially premiered on December 22, 2010. "Army of Love" peaked at number 1 on Billboard (magazine)|Billboard s Hot Dance Club Songs chart for the week of 7 May 2011.

Currently, the only confirmed tracks from her second album are "Speed Limit" (written by Kerli using GarageBand , the album version contains some vocals from the original Demo (music)|demo recorded with the built-in microphone in Kerli's laptop), and "Zero Gravity", which on September 2, Kerli released a demo version of during her visit to the Seattle radio station C89.5. Before this, Kerli performed the song live multiple times, including at the music festival Lollapalooza on August 5. It is written and produced by Kerli, Svante Halldin, and Jakob Hazell.

A track from the album titled "Zero Gravity" was digitally released on March 20, 2012. The music video began production on January 25 and premiered on March 21. It is directed by Canadian director Alon Isocianu . Kerli stated that neither "Zero Gravity" nor "Army of Love" were official singles and that they are only Promotional recording#Buzz single|buzz single s.

In May 2012, Kerli wrote on Facebook the album was finished and Master recording|mastered and predicted the first single would be released in June and the album towards the end of summer.

Style and influences

In an interview, Kerli recalled buying The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill by Lauryn Hill (which she called "one of favorite records of all time") at a metro station in Russia . She asked them to "give something else really good", "something that people buy". She was given a Björk album, who she was unfamiliar with at the time. She now cites Björk as a major influence and her favorite musician.

Among her other influences are Anouk (singer)|Anouk , Joni Mitchell , Janis Joplin , and more prominently, Imogen Heap .

Kerli also attributes her beliefs in angels and fairies to be an influence in her music. She claims Sigur Rós as her favorite band.

The difference in musical style and composition in Love Is Dead compared to Kerli's second album's material is significant. Love Is Dead being alternative rock and the new material being along the lines of synthpop . Kerli describes herself as being very depressed during the production of Love Is Dead and that she felt "scattered" and describes the transition to the new sound as an attempt to "make it really Contemporary hit radio|radio friendly without losing what people already love about ." In response to criticism concerning her sound compared to her older sound, Kerli said she was "not the same person anymore", stating "Maybe I will be my third album. Maybe I'll be totally depressed and write another really dark album. I have no idea where I'm going to go. All I know is that I'm just always going to try to grow and do my best. And whatever comes out of me is just going to be a reflection of who I am at that moment."

BubbleGoth

After the release of Love Is Dead , Kerli was labeled as " Gothic rock|goth " and a disagreeing critic said she was more along the lines of " Bubblegum pop|bubblegum goth." Kerli stated "that's exactly what I am" and that she was "going to take this concept and roll with it" and she created the derivative "BubbleGoth." Described by Kerli, BubbleGoth is "putting together light and dark, opposites, and things that you don't really necessarily think go together."

Kerli cites the Spice Girls as being a major influence of BubbleGoth, which she stated is "like a gothic spice girl".

Public image

Kerli frequently wears three dots called "moon marks" that represent integrity , love and wikt:unity|unity , three things that are also followed by Moon Children: an elaborated fan community/ street team established by Kerli in 2006 for people who "feel too much and find it hard to exist in this world, so that they wouldn't think they're crazy." It originally began as a "gathering for Indigo children|Indigo kids " but developed into a "movement of Integrity, Love and Unity" which is "trying to be the best you can be, taking responsibility for your reality and living with your eyes open. It's not some religious preachy thing, rather being a passenger in this dimension, trying to make the most of your experience and striving for perfection while understanding it's okay not to be perfect."

In regards to LGBT rights by country or territory|LGBT rights , she has stated that she wishes "the world would already be in a place where everyone is equally able to marry, adopt and live their life without having to explain themselves" and that it is "not a matter of political views, it's a matter of human rights. All humans need to have equal rights, straight or gay. As long as one likes to go to church and believe in God and that makes them a better, nicer person, that's great. Once hatred and superiority comes to play, I'm against religion." She's stated that in LGBT rights in Estonia|Estonia , "there really is no gay scene" but that "it's starting to emerge, and trying to support it as much as can." In June 2011, Kerli performed at the Detroit Pride parade|pride festival "Motor City Pride" as well as San Francisco Pride . She is also a participant in the NOH8 Campaign .

She also strongly opposes censorship .

In 2011, Kerli was listed as one of the 100 Most Influential Estonian Women.

Personal life

At the age of 15, Kerli asked her mother for a tattoo that states "music" in Chinese language|Chinese ("??"). Dubious, her mother told her that if she read "every book ... in town" on China and did a report on it, she would allow her to get the tattoo. Kerli did as requested and her mother took her to get the tattoo the day before her 16th birthday. She has two tattoos on her forearm: one of a butterfly which symbolizes "living everyday like it was last" and that she would never "leave a person that without them knowing how much them" and the other tattoo states in Latin "Amicus Humani Generis" which Kerli translates "a friend of the human race." On her left forearm, again Latin, states "Agnus Dei" which Kerli translates "a servant of God." (The actual translation from Latin is "Lamb of God," referring to Jesus Christ). On her right foot, she has the letter "E", an initial of someone who "broke her heart."

While not belonging to any religion, nor labeling herself as such, Kerli believes in reincarnation as well as other forms of Afterlife|life after death , Fairy|fairies (which she has cited as a large element of her life), angel s and demon s, although once defining them as "reflections" of one's "inner light" and "inner darkness" respectively. However, besides thanking her guardian angel s in the liner notes for Love Is Dead , she has also stated she feel angels are beings, as well as using "angel cards."

She has said that she has bipolar disorder and attempted suicide when she was 17 as a result of her troubled upbringing, stating now that her upbringing has "made stronger and now can be here for other kids who are like " and that she's happy to be alive, describing life as a "beautiful and rare gift". During a Streaming media|live video Web chat|chat with fans on October 7, 2011, Kerli recalled when she was 17 and would ask her local doctor to Sedation|sedate her with medication because it "hurt so much to be awake" due to her depression. She also recalled an instance when she was home alone when she was 17 where she covered the windows with dark towels to block out the sunlight and began Self-harm|cutting herself and slitting her arms with rusty scissors stating that she "wanted to die" and "couldn't feel any physical pain at all because was just hurting so much inside".

She currently lives in Los Angeles , California .

Discography

Love Is Dead (Kerli album)|Love Is Dead (2008)

Songwriting credits

Demi Lovato

:* " Skyscraper (song)|Skyscraper " (co-written with Toby Gad and Lindy Robbins )

Tarja Turunen

:* " I Feel Immortal " (co-written with Lindy Robbins and Toby Gad)

Bad Boy Bill

:* "Ishy" (co-written with Dan Chase, Patrick Julian, William Renkosik and John Taylor Jr.)

Violina

:* "Iialgi"

Lisa Lois

:* "Too Much Is Never Enough" (co-written with Toby Gad and Lindy Robbins)

Awards and nominations

|-
| rowspan="2" | 2008
| Herself
| MTV Europe Music Awards 2008|MTV Europe Music Award for Best Baltic Act
| |-
| rowspan="3" | " Walking on Air "
| MTV Video Music Award for Best Pop Video
| |-
| rowspan="5" | 2009
| Eesti Rahvusringhääling|Raadio 2 Hit of the Year
| |-
| Estonian Music Award for Music Video of the Year
| |-
| rowspan="2" | Herself
| Estonian Music Award for Pop Artist of the Year
| |-
| Estonian Music Award for Female Artist of the Year
| |-
| rowspan="2" | Love is Dead (Kerli album)| Love Is Dead
| Estonian Music Award for Album of the Year
| |-
| rowspan="2" | 2010
| European Border Breakers Award
| |-
| rowspan="2" | " Army of Love "
| Raadio 2 Hit of the Year
| |-
|| 2011
| Estonian Music Award for Music Video of the Year
|

Copyright Citations

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