Emilíana Torrini

Tags: female vocalists , icelandic , trip-hop

Emilíana Torrini is an 'Icelandic' 'singer-songwriter', born on 16 May 1977 in Kópavogur, 'Iceland'. Her full name is Emilíana Torrini Davíðsdóttir. She is best known for her 2009 single 'Jungle Drum', for the closing theme entitled 'Gollum's Song' of "The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers" film, and for her international debut album, 'Love in the Time of Science'.

Her father is Italian and her mother Icelandic. Emilíana grew up in Kópavogur, where at the age of 7, she joined a choir as a soprano, until she went to opera school at the age of 15. Later she worked as waitress at her father's restaurant from Iceland. In 1994, Emilíana became well-known in Iceland after winning the song competition of junior colleges in Iceland (Icelandic: Söngkeppni framhaldsskólanna), at the age of 17, singing "I Will Survive".

Prior to her appearance on the worldwide stage, she released 3 other albums in Iceland: 'Spoon' in 1994, 'Crouçie D'où Là' in 1995, and 'Merman' in 1996. Emilíana also worked with 'trip-hop' group 'Gus Gus' on their debut 'Polydistortion' (1997) on two songs: 'Is Jesus Your Pal?' and 'Why?'.

Later Torrini continues to collaborate with other artists, notably composing 'Kylie Minogue''s international #1 track 'Slow' with Dan Carey in 2003, and providing the voice for 'Gollum's Song', the closing theme for the film "The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers". Also in 2002, she sang vocals on 'Paul Oakenfold''s song 'Hold Your Hand' taken from his 'Bunkka' album.

In 2003 she collaborated with 'Thievery Corporation' on two songs 'Heaven's Gonna Burn Your Eyes' and 'Until the Morning' from 'The Richest Man in Babylon' (2005), and 'Slovo''s debut album, 'Nommo'.

Emilíana Torrini released her international debut album, 'Love in the Time of Science' in November 1999. This 'trip-hop' album was produced by 'Roland Orzabal' of 'Tears for Fears'. Four singles were issued: 'Dead Things', 'Baby Blue', 'To Be Free', and 'Unemployed in Summertime'.

Working with 'Dan Carey', her second major album release released in 2005, 'Fisherman's Woman', signified a departure from her earlier 'electronic' roots to an 'acoustic'-'folk' sound; applying the ethereal beauty of her voice in a much more intimate setting, reminiscent of the work of 'Nick Drake' and fellow Icelanders 'múm'. The singles 'Lifesaver', 'Sunnyroad', and 'Heartstopper' supported the album.

Her third album, 'Me and Armini' was released on 8 September 2008, to generally good reviews. The album was promoted by three singles: 'Me and Armini', 'Big Jumps', and 'Jungle Drum'. The single 'Jungle Drum' became Emilíana's most successful song, reaching #1 on Iceland, Austria, Belgium, Germany, #5 on Finland, and #11 on Switzerland.

http://www.emilianatorrini.com/

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Emilíana Torrini

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