Gin Wigmore is a distinctive singer/songwriter, whose sound is driven by a startling voice and outstandingly honest songs; her delivery has been succinctly described by a critic as ‘whiskey and dry’ and her self-penned songs provide a refreshing new take on life as a ’20-something’ and yet relate across the generations.
Geographically, Gin tracks from Auckland to Buenos Aires to Sydney. Vocally she runs from Macy Gray to Blondie to Edith Piaf.
Born in Auckland, New Zealand, a family tragedy forced Gin her to deal with her grief a world away in Argentina. When she returned home, Gin articulated at 16, in a song, the pain of losing her father to cancer.
That song, “Hallelujah”, won the US-based International Songwriting Contest in 2005, when she beat 11,000 songwriting aspirants from 77 countries to become the youngest and only unsigned Grand Prize winner in the history of the ISC.
Extended Play, Gin’s debut EP was produced by Tony Buchen (Blue King Brown, The Whitlams, Macromantics, Kid Confucius), and contains Hallelujah, These Roses, SOS, Under My Skin and Easy Come Easy Go. The EP has garnered both critical acclaim and chart success in Australasia and is fast gaining fans worldwide.
In August 2008 Gin was signed to Universal Motown Records in the USA by label President, Sylvia Rhone, and undertook her first US promo trip in October – playing shows in San Francisco, New York and Los Angeles to enthusiastic media and music industry audiences.
2008 also saw Gin building a devoted live following in Australia and New Zealand. She joined a national Australian tour with Pete Murray in August, NSW and Queensland dates with Sparkadia in October/November, and performed in NZ with local heroes Supergroove and Scribe. In December she supported international legends John Mellencamp and Sheryl Crow. To top the year off Gin performed (and sold out) her own headline shows with her band in Sydney, Melbourne and Auckland.
Gin has spent the past couple of months preparing to record her first album. She has been songwriting with Martin Terefe (Jason Mraz/KT Tunstall/James Morrison), Dan Wilson (Dixie Chicks), Mitchell Froom (Crowded House) and Mike Elizondo (Eminem/50 Cent/Gwen Stefani/Fiona Apple) and is due to start recording imminently with her debut full-length release due later this year.
Here’s what some of those who have discovered Gin’s music have had to say:
PEREZ HILTON: “Her voice is quirky and intoxicating, her tunes fun and charming”.
NEW YORK POST: “Make mine a Gin Wigmore” “Smart songs that would work in a coffee house or an arena”
KATHY McCABE (SYDNEY DAILY TELEGRAPH): “One of the most stunning debut EPs ever…a star is born.”
Gin Wigmore’s “Hallelujah” on “One Tree Hill.”
Check out Gin Wigmore’s “Hallelujah” on the hit US TV show, “One Tree Hill.” They played the whole song – 3.41 seconds of prime-time air-time. Check it out by clicking the link below!
Also, Gin’s “Under My Skin” Air New Zealand TVC youtube clip is now over 1.6 million plays. Click the image below to view the video. (*warning, involves semi-naked airline crew staff – now that got your attention!)
Gin Wigmore Exclusive Interview on Kiwibox!
Very cool social networking website Kiwibox (www.kiwibox.com) has interviewed our lovely Gin to find out the answers to many pressing questions… such as what we can expect on her full length debut and how in the world she ended up with a tattoo on the top of her arm. The exclusive interview gives a great insight into the down to earth singer, all the way from la la land…
Gin Wigmore on Skopemag.com
Geographically, she tracks from Auckland to Buenos Aires to Sydney. Vocally, she runs from Macy Gray to David Gray to Edith Piaf. Musically, she moves between Fiest and Broken Social Scene to Neil Young and Fiona Apple. Lyrically, she moves from sorrow to sunshine. Soulfully.
Gin is Gin Wigmore, a remarkably complex singer, always keeping it true. Her five-track debut, Extended Play, was released by Island Records Australia on August 2nd.
“My stories are simple because I want to reach people. I want to touch lives,” Gin says. “But at the same time I like to bring mystery. Sometimes we all need to ask: How? Why?”
Certainly, these questions also apply to Gin, and the high and low roads she has traveled to this point.
Newcomer Gin Wigmore is a New Zealand-born singer-songwriter who is gaining worldwide attention with her debut EP "Extended Play" that is released in the U.S. through Universal.
Check out a totally guilt-free download of "These Roses" that is taken from the EP. As demonstrated by this track, Wigmore's music is marked by her arresting vocals that are powerful and confident, but decidedly fragile at the same time. The raspy quality of her singing voice may remind you of Macy Gray a little.
Wigmore's ambitious take on her songwriting is straightforward. “My stories are simple because I want to reach people. I want to touch lives,” Gin says in a press statement. “But at the same time I like to bring mystery. Sometimes we all need to ask: How? Why?” (Click here to watch the video for "These Roses.")
Check out more of Gin’s great US press – the New York Post featured the cigarette-voiced singer in their top six new artists to watch in 2009! With the year off to a good start in the US, we’re sure that Gin’s beautiful and honest music will travel around the globe before her highly anticipated full-length debut is delivered later this year.
Hey Gin, It's nearly midnight and I've had a night listening to alsorts of more obscure myspace music. LOL - At the moment got the song Bayou Pon Pon by Stephen Randall sounding away in my earphones. I'm in a Cajun feel good mood. haha. Hope you're in high spirits too and the album is cranking along. Patience is a virtue though. And all good things come to those that wait. So sending good vibes as usual. Later, from Trace :-)
congrats on all the good reviews. like i told you already, i'm crazy about under my skin and sing to it at the top of my voice and dance with my dogs. best wishes from el paso texas usa
HELLO MY FRIENDS GIN! Sorry. TIME, NOT TO ENTER MYSPACE. HOPE YOU ARE WELL. Lots of hugs. HAVE A GREAT WEEK. With joy, peace and love. GOD BLESS. LOURDES.
hwy gin. i say you in ipswich with pete murry late last year. i thought you were really good. i love you music and your voice! i was wondering if you were doing any shows in brisbane or any thing soonish? i would really like to see you perform again!
Hi Gin,thank you for the friend's request.I downloaded your song,"No Reason" and checked out your music. I especially liked Under My Skin and These Roses.
