Julia Messenger is an Australian singer-songwriter and producer best known for her work in the electronica, chill-out and jazz genres, being dubbed the “Queen Of Chill” as well as her jazz performances being described as something she “superbly masters.”[1][2]
Julia Messenger | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Australia |
| Genres | Electronica, chillout, jazz. |
| Instrument(s) | Singer |
| Years active | 1997 to present |
| Labels | Threespace, Rainhorse Records, Groove Attack Productions, EMI, Capitol, Universal Records |
| Website | http://www.juliamessenger.com |
She has performed, recorded and collaborated with such notable musical figures including Klaus Schulze, Henning Schmitz, Ferry Corsten, Klaus Waldeck, Manfred Leuchter and Scott Rockenfield.[3]
Career edit
As an artist, Messenger has released three albums, with songs from those albums appearing on several compilation albums, including Pure Chill Out (2002) which debuted at No. 19 on the U.S. Billboard Top Electronic Albums Chart.[4]
Messenger's songs have also had television placements in ABC's Miss South Sudan Australia, Bad Girls Club, and Thomas Banks: Quest for Love.[5]
In 2006 The New York Times’ listed Messengers' song “Look Up, Look Down” as being included on the Top 5 playlists of songs heard in U.S. Restaurants.[6]
Messenger has performed at many notable Australian venues, including: Bennetts Lane Jazz Club, Melbourne Recital Centre, Montsalvat, Paris Cat Jazz Club, The Vanguard and The Basement.[7][8][9][10][11]
Messenger has performed internationally throughout Europe and Asia, including significant performances at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival,[12] Alexis Bistro Ampang in Malaysia,[13] Burg Wilhelmstein with Manfred Leuchter, and on the Midnight Sun Train across Finland with Iiro Rantala.[14]
Messenger has performed as a session singer, most notably for artists Manfred Leuchter and Geoff Kluke and the Changes.[15][16]
As a producer, Messenger remixed Australian band, Not Drowning, Waving’s song “Palau” for the Sonic Maps EP.[17]
Messenger's works “Myamisumi,” “Glitter” “Lover Come Back” and “Stripped” have been remixed by notable producers Razoof, Rubbasol, Salz, Mod X, Charly H. Fox, Raubrec Team, Chris B, Peter Haze, and The Icons South Beach.[18][19][20][21]
Ferry Corsten released a remix album of Twice in a Blue Moon, including the track co-written by Messenger, Black Velvet which was remixed by DJ Mind & Jerry Ropero.[22]
Leading German electronic music magazine, GROOVE has written about and reviewed Salz's remix of Messenger's “Myamisumi” and “Lover Come Back” as well as her collaborations with Whirlpool Productions and Marcus Worgull.[23][24][25] Groove commented that “Julia sings into your heart and mine, truthfully so lovingly it rivals that of singer Nicolette.”[26]
Sue Wilson of The Scotsman has written of Messenger's vocal talent: "…through the full spectrum, from fragile candied sweetness to a scorching soul-diva holler – echos of Mouth Music, Annie Lennox, Horse, Sinéad O'Connor…".[27]
Messenger is also featured and interviewed in the book "A Singers Companion: Personal Wisdom from the Global Music Industry" by Australian singer Christine Sullivan and Monika Roleff, sharing experiences and guidance as an international musician.[28]
Collaborations with Klaus Schulze edit
As vocalist and composer, Messenger has collaborated on many works with Klaus Schulze, a prominent German composer and musician who has been described as an electronic music pioneer.[29] The significance of her collaborations with Schulze are widely acknowledged and referenced in reviews internationally.[30][31][32][33]
Klaus Schulze released limited box set editions of non-album material, of which Messenger collaborated on Contemporary Works I as a composer and featured vocalist, and Contemporary Works II as a featured vocalist.[3][34]
| Work | CD | Title | Role/s |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contemporary Works I | CD #2: The Crime of Suspense | Good Old 4 on the Floor | Composer, Vocalist |
| Overchill | Composer, Vocalist | ||
| CD #8: Ballett 3 | My Ty She | Composer, Vocalist | |
| CD #10: Adds & Edits | Vox ‘N’ Harmony | Composer, Vocalist | |
| Contemporary Works II | CD #1: Virtual Outback | Vocalist | |
| CD #2: Timbres of Ice | Vocalist | ||
| CD #3: Another Green Mile | Vocalist | ||
| CD #4: Androgyn | Vocalist | ||
| CD #5: Cocooning | Vocalist |
Greg Allen's book, “Klaus Schulze, Electronic Music Legend,” features Messenger as a prominent musician and collaborator of Schulze, writing about her compositions and performances as well as interviewing her regarding “The Crime of Suspense” of which she co-wrote two compositions and was featured as a vocalist.[34][35] Allen comments on her performance of "Overchill" stating, "Julia Messenger and Thomas and Kagermann are both very creative and spirited musicians... adding a stunning new dimension to Klaus’s music." In writing about the title "My Ty She" Allen states, "The combination of your (Thomas Kagermann) ethereal vocals with Julia‘s makes it an extraordinary work."[36]
Messenger's collaborations with Schulze's from Contemporary Works I and Contemporary Works II were re-released as independent albums under different record labels.[37][38][3]
| Year | Album | Labels |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | The Crime of Suspense | Revisted Records (SPV GmbH) |
| 2007 | Ballett 3 | Revisted Records (SPV GmbH) |
| 2008 | Virtual Outback | Revisted Records (SPV GmbH) |
| 2016 | Another Green Mile | MIG Music |
| 2017 | Androgyn | MIG Music |
| 2018 | Cocooning | MIG Music |
| 2019 | Timbres of Ice | MIG Music |
Messenger also collaborated as a composer of “KS/Jay M.D” from Essential Edits Promo (2000) and performed as a vocalist on Shadowlands (2013), alongside Lisa Gerrard and Crysta Bell.[39][40]
Awards edit
In 2003, Messenger's songs “Do I Know You” and “Fresh On The Edge” were finalists in the Dance/Electronica category of the Australian Songwriters Association National Songwriting Contest. “Fresh On The Edge” was further recognised in the Top 10 finalists for the category.[41]
In 2007, Messenger was a semi-finalist of the International Songwriting Competition in the AAA (Adult Album Alternative) category for "And We Danced” and in the Performance category for "So Complicated.” In 2016, Messenger was a finalist in EDM (Electronic Dance Music) category with her song “Stripped,” which was later awarded an Honourable Mention.[42]
Artist Discography edit
| Year | Album | Label |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | Julia Messenger[43] | Water Music Records/ UMRG |
| 2010 | Productions & Collaborations | Skip Sister Records |
| 2011 | Live At Bennetts Lane | Skip Sister Records |
Songwriting Discography edit
Messenger has had multiple cuts with artists ranging from Whirlpool Productions to Ferry Corsten, regularly performing as a vocalist on the recordings and being credited as a featured artist.[3][34]
| Year | Album | Label | Artist | Song |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Lost | Cascade Records | Darwin | Glitter feat. Julia Messenger |
| 2013 | Goodbye Lover[44] | Detail Recordings | LYNX and Hellrazor | Goodbye Lover |
| 2008 | Twice in a Blue Moon | Flashover | Ferry Corsten | Black Velvet feat. Julia Messenger |
| 2008 | This is Not Jazz | Ice And Spice Records | Mod X | Glitter feat. Julia Messenger |
| 2007 | Ice | Moodfood Records | Moodfood | Pain feat. Julia Messenger |
| For the Love of You | ||||
| Butterflies | ||||
| 2007 | Something To Say[45] | Moonray Records | PFL (Pre Fade Listening) | When You Love |
| Rise and Fall | ||||
| Something To Say | ||||
| Planet | ||||
| Cool For Cats | ||||
| 2006 | Every Heart Is A Revolutionary Cell | SPV Recordings | Fury In The Slaughterhouse | Where You Fly |
| 2003 | Has It Come to This? | Water Music Records | ORG Lounge | Butterflies – Org Lounge remix |
| 2003 | Blue Dubsessions | Elektrolux | PFL (Pre Fade Listening) | For the Love of You feat. Julia Messenger |
| Bird on a Wire feat. Julia Messenger | ||||
| Set in Stone feat. Pickadelic & Julia Messenger | ||||
| 2002 | Lover Come Back | Salz | Salz | Lover Come Back feat. Julia Messenger[46] |
| 2001 | Ole EP | Spectrum Works | Marcus Worgull | Havin’ a Dig feat. Julia Messenger |
| 2001 | Kyrios | In-akustik | Thomas Kagermann | Bathing in Salt Water |
| 2000 | Lifechange | Warner Elektra Atlantic | Whirlpool Productions | A Game to Play |
Selected Compilation Discography edit
Messenger's songs have been included on many compilation albums released under U.S. and European labels.[3][34]
Her song "For the Love of You" released with PFL also appeared on a compilation DVD entitled, Flowmotion (Visual Pleasure Volume 3.0) released by General Electric Music.[47]
| Year | Compilation Album | Label | Artist/Song | Role/s |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Isolation (New Collaborative Electronic Music)[48] | ZyXyZ Music | Julia Messenger with Mark Jenkins - The Lightning in Her Eyes | Artist, Co-writer |
| 2018 | Clubbers Culture: Sunday Chill Out Selection | Clubbers Culture | Julia Messenger – I Gave You My Heart | Artist, Co-writer |
| 2016 | The Best of House On The Beach - 30 Sexy Chillout Tunes | Time Tools | Julia Messenger – Give This Up | Artist, Co-writer |
| Senso feat. Julia Messenger – Love With A Time Limit (First Love) | Featured Artist, Co-writer | |||
| Julia Messenger – I Gave You My Heart | Artist, Co-writer | |||
| 2015 | Sunset Chill Out Lounge Vol. 5[49] | Time Tools | Julia Messenger – You're My Wonderland | Artist, Co-writer with PFL (Felix Wolter) and Peter LaSalle |
| Julia Messenger – Is It Me Is It You | Artist, Co-writer with PFL (Felix Wolter) and Wolter LaSalle | |||
| 2014 | Alpine Grooves Vol. 3 | Musicpark Records | Senso feat. Julia Messenger – Love With A Time Limit (First Love) | Featured Artist, Co-writer
Note: Peaked at No. 16 on the Apple Music Top 100 Electronic Charts in Vietnam.[50] |
| 2011 | Ritmo de la Playa - 20 finest latin house tunes | Time Tools | Julia Messenger – Give This Up | Featured Artist, Co-writer |
| 2010 | Lingerie Lounge - 30 Top Chillout Tunes[51] | Time Tools | PFL feat. Julia Messenger – For the Love of You | Featured Artist, Co-writer with PFL (Felix Wolter) |
| 2006 | Hotel Chill[52] | Water Music Records/ UMRG | Julia Messenger – Telepathy | Artist/Writer |
| 2005 | The Future is My Melody, Vol 2 | Elektrolux | PFL with Julia Messenger – Bird On A Wire | Featured Artist, Co-writer with PFL (Felix Wolter) |
| 2004 | Melbourne – The Sex, The City, The Music[53] | Petrol | Julia Messenger – Look Up Look Down | Artist, Co-writer with Thorsten Vogel and Henning Schmitz |
| 2004 | Spectrum Work - Evolution In Standard[54] | Nebula | Marcus Worgull – Havin' a Dig | Singer, Co-writer with Marcus Worgull |
| 2003 | Dinner at Eight[55] | Water Music Records | Julia Messenger – Telepathy | Artist/Writer |
| 2003 | The Future is My Melody, Vol 1 | Elektrolux | PFL feat. Julia Messenger – For the Love of You | Featured Artist, Co-writer with PFL (Felix Wolter) |
| 2002 | Pure Chill Out[56] | Water Music Records/ UMRG | Julia Messenger – I Miss You | Artist/Writer
Note:Debuted at No. 19 on Billboard Top Electronic Albums Chart[4] |
| 2002 | Chilled Sirens[57] | Water Music Records/ UMRG | Julia Messenger – I Miss You | Artist/Writer |
| 2002 | Sub Zero (The Essential Chill Out Collection)[58] | Water Music Records | PFL feat. Julia Messenger – For the Love of You | Featured Artist, Co-writer with PFL (Felix Wolter) |
| Julia Messenger vs Rubbasol – Myami Sumi Version | Featured Artist/Writer | |||
| 2002 | Ambient Lounge, Vol. 3 | Globe | PFL feat. Julia Messenger – For the Love of You | Featured Artist, Co-writer with PFL (Felix Wolter) |
| 2001 | Coffeeshop Vol. 4[59] | Edel Records | PFL feat. Julia Messenger – For the Love of You | Featured Artist, Co-writer with PFL (Felix Wolter) |
External links edit
References edit
- ^ "0905". Issuu. Retrieved 19 May 2021.
- ^ "Dokumente". www.genios.de. Retrieved 20 May 2021.
- ^ a b c d e "Julia Messenger | Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 28 April 2021.
- ^ a b "Top Dance/Electronic Albums Chart". Billboard. Retrieved 28 April 2021.
- ^ "Music Placement Successes at Broadjam.com". www.broadjam.com. Retrieved 19 May 2021.
- ^ New York Times, Paul L. Underwood, The Remix; Ear Candy: Published: 5 November 2006
- ^ "Inpress Issue #1200". Issuu. Retrieved 19 May 2021.
- ^ Dezfouli, Liza. "Julia Messenger Quintet". ArtsHub Australia. Retrieved 19 May 2021.
- ^ "I Put A Spell On You | Julia Messenger". www.australianstage.com.au. Retrieved 19 May 2021.
- ^ "Julia Messenger Quintet to play The VANGUARD, Sydney on July 12, 2015 | Life Music Media". lifemusicmedia.com. Retrieved 19 May 2021.
- ^ "Beat Magazine #1346". Issuu. Retrieved 19 May 2021.
- ^ "1997 Edinburgh Festival Fringe programme". Issuu. Retrieved 11 June 2021.
- ^ Raj, Jacobus. "Plenty of action for music fans in the Klang Valley". The Star. Retrieved 19 May 2021.
- ^ "Australia Northern Europe Liasons". www.henk.com.au. Retrieved 19 May 2021.
- ^ "Klenkes 8/2015". Issuu. Retrieved 20 May 2021.
- ^ "Like it Is | Geoff Kluke and the Changes". geoffkluke.com. Retrieved 19 May 2021.
- ^ "Sonic Maps EP, by Not Drowning, Waving". Not Drowning, Waving. Retrieved 19 May 2021.
- ^ Julia Messenger – Myamisumi - The Remixes (2000, Vinyl), retrieved 19 May 2021
- ^ Salz – Lover Come Back (2002, Vinyl), retrieved 19 May 2021
- ^ Mod X Feat. Julia Messenger – Glitter (Remixed) (2009, File), retrieved 19 May 2021
- ^ Stripped - EP by Julia Messenger, retrieved 19 May 2021
- ^ "Ferry Corsten - Twice In A Blue Moon Remixed". Discogs. Retrieved 19 May 2021.
- ^ "Julia Messenger, Myamisumi – The Remixes (G.U.M. Records, g.u.m 001/Formic)". GROOVE (in German). No. #67. Germany. January 2001. p. 125.
- ^ "Salz, Salz (Salz, Salz cd1/Formic)". GROOVE (in German). No. #67. Germany. January 2001. p. 106.
- ^ "Marcus Worgull, Ole EP (Spectrum Works 13/ Groove Attack)". GROOVE (in German). No. #69. Germany. May 2001. p. 114.
- ^ "Whirlpool Productions, Lifechange (WEA Records/Warner)". GROOVE (in German). No. #67. Germany. January 2001. p. 112.
- ^ Sue Wilson, The Scotsman, 5 Star Review, Edinburgh, 1998
- ^ Sullivan, Christine; Roleff, Monika (6 August 2020). A Singers Companion: Personal Wisdom from the Global Music Industry. Amazon KDP Publishing Worldwide. pp. 262–264. ISBN 9781671045958.
- ^ X - Klaus Schulze | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic, retrieved 4 May 2021
- ^ "Klaus Schulze: Timbres Of Ice (Review/Kritik) - Album-Rezension (Elektronische Musik)". www.musikreviews.de. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
- ^ "Babyblaue Prog-Reviews: Klaus Schulze: Shadowlands: Review". www.babyblaue-seiten.de. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
- ^ "Klaus Schulze – Androgyn « Freq". freq.org.uk. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
- ^ "KLAUS SCHULZE-CRIME OF SUSPENSE". dereksmusicblog. 2 March 2018. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
- ^ a b c d "BMI | Songview Search". repertoire.bmi.com. Retrieved 29 April 2021.
- ^ The Crime of Suspense - Klaus Schulze | Credits | AllMusic, retrieved 4 May 2021
- ^ Allen, Greg (26 May 2008). Klaus Schulze, Electronic Music Legend. Canada: Trafford Publishing. pp. 264, 282. ISBN 978-1425160500.
- ^ "Klaus Schulze | Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved 4 May 2021.
- ^ "Klaus Schulze". Discogs. Retrieved 20 May 2021.
- ^ Klaus Schulze – Essential Extracts Promo (2000, CD), retrieved 4 May 2021
- ^ Klaus Schulze – Shadowlands (2013, CD), retrieved 4 May 2021
- ^ "2003 Contest | Australian Songwriters Association". Retrieved 19 May 2021.
- ^ "Unsigned Only | Music Competition". unsignedonly.com. Retrieved 19 May 2021.
- ^ "Julia Messenger". Discogs. Retrieved 30 April 2021.
- ^ Lynx & Hellrazor – Goodbye Lover (2013, 320 kbps, File), retrieved 29 April 2021
- ^ PFL – Something To Say (2007, CD), retrieved 29 April 2021
- ^ Salz – Lover Come Back (2002, Vinyl), retrieved 29 April 2021
- ^ Flowmotion (Visual Pleasure Volume 3.0) (2006, DVD), retrieved 19 May 2021
- ^ Isolation (New Collaborative Electronic Music) (2020, CDr), retrieved 20 May 2021
- ^ Sunset Chill Out Lounge, Vol. 5 - Various Artists | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic, retrieved 19 May 2021
- ^ "Vietnam Apple Music Top 100 Electronic Albums". www.top-charts.com. Retrieved 19 May 2021.
- ^ "Lingerie Lounge - 30 Top Chillout Tunes - Various Artists | Release Info". AllMusic. Retrieved 19 May 2021.
- ^ Hotel Chill (2006, CD), retrieved 28 April 2021
- ^ Melbourne - The Sex, The City, The Music (2004, CD), retrieved 28 April 2021
- ^ Spectrum Works - Evolution In Standard (2004, CD), retrieved 29 April 2021
- ^ Dinner At Eight (2003, CD), retrieved 28 April 2021
- ^ Pure Chill Out (2002, CD), retrieved 28 April 2021
- ^ "Various - Chilled Sirens: The Female Vocal Chill Out Experience". Discogs. Retrieved 28 April 2021.
- ^ Sub Zero (The Essential Chill Out Collection) (2002, CD), retrieved 29 April 2021
- ^ Coffeeshop Vol. 4 (2001, CD), retrieved 19 May 2021