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Merenia Gillies is a multitalented, beat throwing musician, who sings in 5 languages and takes great joy in mischievously bending the rules when it comes to her music. Her personal musical style will without a doubt seduce as the sounds of her own distinctive Latin infused soul with a serving of Funk flow into the universe.
Her ability to twist and produce the addictive raw sounds is why this rising star is quickly becoming one of Sydney’s most inimitable and popular female recording artists and live performers - particularly in the Club and Latin Genres.
A powerhouse performer on stage with the most instinctive vocal talents of her generation, Merenia is constantly in demand to collaborate on both studio and live performances. Since relocating from New Zealand to Australia, she has collaborated and lent her musical style to a staggering variety of international acts and leading Australian artists including; Paul Mac, Omega Man, All Good Funk Alliance (US), Richard Earnshaw (UK), Stephen Allkins (Love Tattoo), Kate Munroe, The Bamboos, Declan Kelly, Rephrase, Russ Dewbury, The Sound Conducterz, Afro Moses (Ghana), Watussi, Oscar "el Duro" Jimenez and Reyes de la Onda.
Merenia’s debut album ‘Libertine’ (Catalyst Recordings | Inertia Sept 08), was received with rave reviews:
‘...Singing in 5 tongues, Kiwi born Sydneysider Merenia Gillies has a especially distinctive tone that is instantly identifiable...it prickles with a sassy attitude that is all the more likable for eschewing the silly gymnastics favoured by wannabe urban divas. Gillies is smoother and earthier, though she can certainly single-handedly slap down younger stars. This overdue album delivers Latin greased soul and jazz, funky breaks and gospel/rnb...Sydney Morning Herald
‘.. This debut album from Merenia Gillies is so damn impressive it should put her in the forefront of the Australian Music scene...her greatest strength is her soaring versatility...she can switch from seductive soul siren to feisty MC all with the affirmation of oneself overcoming adversity...a funky percussive Latin soul driven delight...Ms.Gillies delivers a winning album’ 3D World, Sydney
Most recently Merenia performed at one of Australia’s most well respected Soulful House Music Events, SHE (Soulful House Music), she also appeared at both Sydney Festival 2008, Playground Weekender Festival and the East Coast Bluesfest in Byron Bay undoubtedly receiving crowd approval from packed out shows.
Born in Rotorua, New Zealand, Merenia was signed to Pagan Records at the age of 16 and has been signed to a selection of major and independent labels in Australia with her most recent signing to ABC Music Publishing. With her heritage a mixture of Maori, Romany Gypsy and Welsh, she embraces and indulges in an eclectic array of musical influences. She crafts her sound by using the traditional styles of her ancestry as a platform for layering hypnotic beats and sultry, soaring vocals which then translate into accessible pieces of music which slip into the decks of clubland as easily as they might slip into the lounge room stereo.
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